Travis Givens, ILA Director-at-Large and Director of the Tolono Public Library District, is featured in the latest installment of The News-Gazette's series spotlighting leaders of organizations big and small.

Beyond the Boardroom: Tolono Public Library director Travis Givens

Interview question No. 1: “Tell me about a mistake you made at work and what you learned from it.” Says Travis Givens: "I am not looking for perfection; I want

news-gazette.com

ILA JobLine: Resource Services Librarian: Adult Fiction and Digital Collections | Indian Prairie Public Library https://bit.ly/4fQ5PMk #ILAJobLine #LibraryJobs

It's #ILAInstitutionalMember Spotlight Monday! This month, we're featuring the Maywood Public Library District! Visit the ILA website to read about the library. https://bit.ly/ILASpotlightMaywoodPLD #WeAreILA

What began as a simple weekly outing between a father and his baby daughter has evolved into The Library Dads, a community that helps numerous dads create lasting memories with their children, one story at a time.

New Dad Turns Library Trips with Daughter into Weekly Meetup with Dozens of Local Fathers

What began as one father’s weekly outings with his infant daughter has grown into The Library Dads, a nonprofit encouraging dads to connect with their children through reading.

people.com

Congratulations to the Alpha Park Public Library for submitting the ILA Member Photo of the Month! Library Director Amy Harris is pictured jumping for joy over the library's new bookmobile wrap from CJ Signs. #WeAreILA

Please join us in congratulating and celebrating the recipients of the 2026 ILA Awards! A complete list of this year's award winners is available on the ILA website. bit.ly/ILAAwards2026 #WeAreILA

Libraries are hosting ‘Avoiding AI’ workshops that help patrons to disable default AI features on various platforms.

Don't like AI being forced on you? These librarians have the perfect first step

Libraries are now hosting 'Avoiding AI' workshops that help patrons disable forced AI features on various platforms.

fastcompany.com

The Bloomington Public Library is making it easier for people to experience and explore with innovative technologies at its Innovation Lab.

‘More than reading’ at Bloomington Public Library includes exploring Innovation Lab

The Bloomington Public Library is making it easier for people to experience and explore

25newsnow.com

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced the launch of a statewide summer reading challenge, which will allow students to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming Chicago Cubs game.

IL SOS launches statewide reading challenge with chance to throw first pitch at Cubs game

(WAND) - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the launch of a statewide summer reading challenge, which will allow students to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming

wandtv.com

ILA JobLine: Director of Library Services | City of Moline https://bit.ly/4x1NPpm #ILAJobLine #LibraryJobs

ILA JobLine: Head of Technical Services and Collection Development | Southern Illinois University School of Medicine https://bit.ly/4wV9pf9 #ILAJobLine #LibraryJobs

It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's spotlight shines on Kyla Waltermire! Kyla is the executive director of the Mississippi Valley Library District and a member of the 2027 ILA Conference Program Committee. Read about Kyla on the ILA website: https://bit.ly/ILASpotlightWaltermire. #WeAreILA

These 15 photos show public libraries from across the decades, from grand reading rooms with high ceilings to small neighborhood branches packed with card catalogs. https://bit.ly/4pAzxcG

Kellee E. Warren, associate professor and special collections librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago, discusses the importance of presidential libraries and how the Obama Presidential Center is unique.

Ask An Expert: Presidential Libraries

Kellee E. Warren, associate professor and special collections librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago, discusses the importance of presidential libraries and how the Obama Presidential Center is unique.

southsideweekly.com

The Los Angeles Public Library commissioned the world's largest pop-up book to mark its 100th anniversary.

Los Angeles Public Library Unveils the World's Largest Pop-Up Book

"Luceros y Penumbres," designed by Daniel González and engineered by Matthew Reinhart, is an ode to learning and discovery.

thisiscolossal.com

ILA JobLine: Cataloging Librarian | Prospect Heights Public Library District https://bit.ly/4wUNG79 #ILAJobLine #LibraryJobs

The Antioch Public Library District has released its new Vision Legacy video, a timeless promotional piece inspired by the library’s vision statement: “Connect. Enrich. Belong.” https://bit.ly/APLDLegacy

ILA JobLine: Teen Librarian - Children's Services | Champaign Public Library https://bit.ly/4pz9UZN #ILAJobLine #LibraryJobs

The American Library Association Council has adopted “Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries,” a new resource designed to help libraries develop and revise policies for the ethical, human-centered use of artificial intelligence.

ALA Council adopts Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) Council has adopted “Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries,” a new resource designed to help libraries develop and revise policies for the ethical, human-centered use of artificial intelligence.

ala.org

Join the ILA Human Resources & Administration Forum (HRAF) for its next monthly virtual roundtable on Thursday, July 23, at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. This month's topic is "Rethinking Retention: Navigating All the Reasons Employees Stay." https://bit.ly/44A2Rqe

“A great library is anything and everything. It is not for its current custodians to judge what the future will find to be of importance, and it is this eclecticism that gives it the mystique, that is the wonder of it.”—Penelope Lively

Located on the fourth floor of one of the many buildings in the heart of Springfield’s medical district, the SIU Medical Library is truly a hidden gem. https://bit.ly/ReporterSIU

Registration for #ILAAC26 is open! Join us Oct. 6-8 at the Peoria Civic Center for what promises to be a great event with informative sessions, outstanding speakers, and special events! Early bird registration ends July 31, and conference registration closes Sept. 17. https://bit.ly/ILAAC26

ILA Institutional Members: Submit your photos for the ILA Member Photo of the Month! Submit photos from your summer reading kickoffs, or your anniversary celebrations, renovation projects, bookmobiles, or any noteworthy events. Submit a photo with a description to tjenkins@ila.org by July 20.

Congratulations to Julie Milavec on being inducted as an Illinois Library Luminary. Milavec recently retired after serving as Executive Director of the Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL) for nearly ten years, where she successfully led a team of over 100 staff members. https://bit.ly/JulieM2026

“Continued support for E-Rate ensures libraries can invest in the essential connectivity that empowers communities to access critical online resources while keeping library technology reliable, secure, and available to everyone."

Save Our E-Rate | American Libraries Magazine

E-Rate marks its 30th year, and we should celebrate the federal program that has expanded information access for all Americans.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org

"Libraries are what is best about us as a society: open, exciting, rich, informative, free, inclusive, engaging."—Susan Orlean

"I leave you with the immense privilege I feel, not just as an Autistic librarian, but as a part of a place where the door has not closed. I see it in the way the library has not deviated one iota from its commitment to finding employees and volunteers of all abilities." https://bit.ly/4gMqHXd

It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's spotlight shines on Jessica Banko, the studio services coordinator at the Poplar Creek Public Library District, and a member of the iREAD Committee. Read about Jessica on the ILA website: https://bit.ly/ILASpotlightBanko. #WeAreILA

The Library of Congress National Book Festival will return in August and feature more than 80 authors and new programming to celebrate American 250.

2026 Library of Congress National Book Festival Features More Than 80 Authors and New Programming to Celebrate America 250

2026 Library of Congress National Book Festival Features More Than 80 Authors and New Programming to Celebrate America 250Lineup Features Cynthia Erivo, Ann Patchett, Martin Scorsese, Kate...

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