Robert P. Doyle Award:

Pat Barch:                   Schaumburg:             (WINNER)

Kathy Bruski:              Schaumburg

Marlene Meyer:          Evanston

Stacey Reichard:        Chicago Ridge:

Emily Spiliopoluos:     Skokie:

Gertrud Verpari:          Glenview

Oberman-Rich Award:

Eva Baggili:                 Chicago Ridge

Pat Barch:                   Schaumburg:

Kathy Bruski:              Schaumburg:

Esmeralda Maldonado: Waukegan:

Dolores Martinez:       Evanston:

Cynthia Rauscher:      Round Lake:              (WINNER)

Gertrud Verpari:          Glenview

Each year, the names of those who sent in nominations are put in a raffle for a free Reaching Forward Conference registration. This year’s winner was Kathy McSwain from Chicago Ridge Public Library!  Congratulations to all who were nominated and to our winners!

The Awards Committee wishes to thank all those who took the time to send in nominations for their wonderful staff members and those who self nominated. As always, it is our pleasure to learn about such fantastic people.  We will have pictures posted soon.   We have already received a nomination for next year! See you all at Reaching Forward 2014!

Cynthia Rauscher of the Round Lake Area Library was selected as this year’s Oberman-Rich Award winner.  This award recognizes the contributions of Library Assistants to their library and the library world at large.  Cynthia was recognized for her “Can Do!” ethic.  “Cynthia uses her skills, creativity, resources, and talent to encourage patrons and staff alike to love learning at the library.”  Cynthia’s joyful exuberance is expressed in the puppet show classes she presents using her own puppets, in working Circulation and then ILL, in being a member of the staff in-house social organization, and in being an active member of LACONI Circulation Services Section and now its current year President.

Cynthia was awarded an overnight stay at the Conference hotel, a free registration to the Reaching Forward Conference, a $50.00 check for expenses, and a framed award certificate.  “To me it is an honor to have been nominated and an even greater honor to have been chosen as the 2013 Oberman-Rich Award recipient.  I was overwhelmed and happy that day.  So many people congratulated me.  I am truly touched by the praise and recognition from the committee, my coworkers and my friends.”

Pat Barch of the Schaumburg Township District Library was selected as the 2013 Robert P. Doyle Award winner.  As Literacy Coordinator for the library, Pat has “dedicated herself to creating a first class literacy program to assist those from other countries, who speak 54 different languages in our area… from conversation classes to Read to Learn classes at both the Central and Branch libraries… all of these classes are filled.  This past year, 82 immigrants from 24 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to become new U.S. citizens.  As a result of these efforts Pat applied for and received a $15,000.00 grant to conduct and expand citizenship classes at the Library.”

Pat was awarded a one year membership in the Illinois Library Association and a full registration to the annual ILA Conference plus up to $800.00 in expenses and a framed certificate. Regarding the award, Pat said: “ I was very honored to receive the Robert P. Doyle award.  I’ve worked with so many wonderful people here at the Schaumburg Township District Library.  Our community is so diverse.  The whole world seems to live in our library district.  Whether I’m helping our community learn English or assisting them with citizenship applications, I’m always happy to help them in any way I can.  I learn so much about their problems and struggles.  As Literacy Coordinator I find my work to be very rewarding and satisfying. I’m privileged to work at such a prestigious library that continuously reaches out to serve its community”.

Kelly is a lively speaker with bold opinions and plenty of experience in public libraries. You will have a chance to see her holding forth on three different subjects.  “Can’t See the Forest for the Trees: the Vital Details vs. the Big Picture”, “Skill sets for Today and Tomorrow: the Lego Approach” and “All the World’s a Stage: Are You Ready for Primetime?”.  Plan on attending at least one of these great programs.   Be sure to stop by the LACONI Circulation Services information table and say hello! And remember….. CIRC RULES!

Click on this link! Follow instructions! Nominate, Submit, Repeat!

We are accepting nominations through March 31st!

Looking forward to reading about all of the accomplishments of our fabulous Library staff members!

The Awards Committee

Earlier, in the morning workshop that I attended, the NAMI speakers’ presentation included outcomes resulting from cutbacks in mental health services and inability to pay for prescription drugs.  Their insights were helpful in preparing us to understand and handle situations we may encounter at work and in the community.

I look forward to more such useful Workshops at Reaching Forward”.   Judy A.

The day is divided into 4 programs sessions. The extra session was added in lieu of a keynote speaker. The committee will be looking for your feedback about this format. If you miss the keynote, let us know after the conference. The committee is always willing to make changes.

Of course, the day begins with the continental breakfast, and lunch is included. The  lunch menu is currently the same as last year, but that may change. The committee is still investigating the options.

Online registration is also open.

Don’t forget the awards. Nominations are being taken NOW.

Check it all out and plan to join us for an amazing conference.

The Awards Committee urges you to take the  opportunity to nominate one of your support staff for the Oberman Rich Award or the Robert P. Doyle Award. The award winners will be given recognition at Reaching Forward on May 3, 2013  Anyone submitting a nomination will be entered into a drawing to win a paid registration to Reaching Forward.

The Oberman Rich Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated personal and professional growth to advance themselves to a position of leadership within their own library, library system, the Illinois Library Association, or the library community at large. This individual has made a significant impact on the support staff working in Illinois libraries. The nominee must be a support staff member working in any type of library without an advanced degree in library science. The recipient(s) will receive free registration to the current year Reaching Forward Conference, an overnight stay at the Reaching Forward conference hotel, $50 for expenses, and a framed certificate. Oberman-RichNominationForm

The winner of the Robert P. Doyle Award will receive a one-year ILA membership , full registration to ILA conference as well as $800 in expenses. This award is open to all support staff working in all types of libraries. Please submit a letter of one page or less in length that explains “Why I (or my nominee) would like to attend the ILA Annual Conference and how it would affect my (or his/her) personal and professional growth.” RobertDoyleNominationForm

Nomination deadline is March 31, 2013.

Please send e-mail letters of recommendation to Maureen Dunne at mdunne@phpl.info.

Even though we will miss the observations and energy of a keynote, we are looking forward to having an additional 11 programs to offer you. With the new schedule, lunch will be earlier in the day. Of course, we will still begin in the large ballroom with awards and a few housekeeping tips.

Committee members are booking speakers for next year. The variety of speakers will give you lots of options for the day.

To see the slides from this program, click here.

Toby Greenwalt and Anthony Molaro: Geeks Bearing Gifts: Technology Trends for Library Staff and Technology to Improve Your Life

To see the slides from these two programs, click here.

When we get additional materials from the speakers at this year’s convention, a link will be added to this blog. In addition a link will be added to the program on the Web site.