May 9th 2014 2013 Reaching Forward Program Home |   About |   Blog |   Photos |   History

  • 2013 Award Nominees

    Posted at May 23, 2013 , By , Categories Awards , Comment 0 Comment

    The following people were nominated for 2013 Awards: 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, ...

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  • Awards Presentation at Reaching Forward 2013

    Posted at May 23, 2013 , By , Categories Awards,Conference Updates , Comment 0 Comment

    The Oberman-Rich Award and the Robert P. Doyle Award were presented at Reaching Forward 2013. 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 ...

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  • LACONI Circulation Services Section presents Kelly Krieg-Sigman

    Posted at March 14, 2013 , By , Categories Program Updates , Comment Comments Off

    LACONI Circulation Services Section is pleased to be a  sponsor for Reaching Forward!  We have previously had the good fortune to be able to sponsor great speakers such as the dynamic Erin Weed from Girls Fight Back, the wily wisdom and humor of Al Gini from Loyola University ...

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  • Nominate, Submit, Repeat!

    Posted at February 19, 2013 , By , Categories Awards , Comment Comments Off

    NominationsFlyerRF 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

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  • Helpful Insights: from a 2012 conference participant

    Posted at February 8, 2013 , By , Categories Reflection , Comment Comments Off

    "One of the things I especially appreciated about Reaching Forward 2012 was the opportunity to have an author join us at our lunch table. Though I had not attended the session on Bullying, Zak Mucha provided stimulating conversation and gave us language for dealing appropriately ...

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  • Amazing Programs Scheduled for 2013

    Posted at January 29, 2013 , By , Categories Conference Updates , Comment Comments Off

    The program schedule for the May 3, 2013, conference is on our Website. This year you can choose from 44 exciting, informative programs. Details on a few of the programs are still being worked out, but almost all of the programs ...

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  • Reaching Forward 2013! Nominations for best and brightest!

    Posted at January 14, 2013 , By , Categories Awards , Comment Comments Off

    Happy 2013! The Reaching Forward Committee has been hard at work planning another fabulous conference! (If we do say so ourselves!) 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. ...

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  • No Keynote Speaker at the 2013 Conference

    Posted at November 8, 2012 , By , Categories Conference Updates , Comment Comments Off

    After much deliberation, the committee decided to have a fourth session of programs rather than a keynote speaker. We will be interested in hearing your thoughts especially after the Conference. Even though we will miss the observations and energy of a keynote, we are looking forward ...

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  • ILA Conference in Peoria!

    Posted at October 3, 2012 , By , Categories Uncategorized , Comment Comments Off

    If you attended Reaching Forward this spring,  stop by the registration area and say hello to Tobi and Tom.   They would love to see you!

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  • Slides from This Year’s Speakers

    Posted at May 20, 2012 , By , Categories Conference Updates , Comment Comments Off

    James Feldman: D-A-T-I-N-G Your Customer 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 ...

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  • And now a word from our winners….

    Posted at May 18, 2012 , By , Categories Awards , Comment Comments Off

    Each year Reaching Forward sponsors two awards that highlight the contributions made by Library Assistants to their Libraries and to the Library community. It is very gratifying to be a part of the award process. The awards themselves were named in ...

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  • 2012 Awards Presentation

    Posted at May 9, 2012 , By , Categories Awards , Comment 1 Comment

    The 2012 Oberman-Rich and Robert P. Doyle Awards were presented at Reaching Forward during the luncheon. The following people were nominated for these prestigious awards. The winners’ names are bolded. The Awards Committee wishes to thank all those who took the time ...

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  • Conference Feedback

    Posted at May 8, 2012 , By , Categories Reflection , Comment Comments Off

    One of our committee members, Sangeeta Bhargava, received the following feedback from a fellow staff member, Kathy Bruski. We asked her permission to share her impressions. This year’s conference was very informative, enjoyable and fun! As always, it was impeccably organized and the staff very friendly.  The keynote speaker (

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  • Top 10 Tips to Make Your Conference Day More Enjoyable

    Posted at April 29, 2012 , By , Categories Conference Updates , Comment Comments Off

    1. Plan Ahead With a full day of programming ahead of you, take some time to view the entire conference schedule at to determine the programs you want to attend. 2. Know Where You’re Going The conference will be held at the Donald E. Stephens ...

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  • 2012 Awards Presentation

    Posted at April 25, 2012 , By , Categories Awards , Comment Comments Off

    The 2012 Robert P. Doyle Award and the Oberman-Rich Award will be presented during the luncheon at Reaching Forward! The Awards Committee wishes to thank all who took the time to acknowledge the splendid work of their special staff members and nominate them ...

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  • The Conference Is Right Around the Corner

    Posted at April 23, 2012 , By , Categories Conference Updates , Comment Comments Off

    Hopefully, those of you who plan to attend have sent in your registrations: May 4 is quickly approaching. We have a great day planned for you. This year the conference program has a new look. If you want to check it out, click here. ...

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  • Stop Workplace Aches and Pains!

    Posted at April 18, 2012 , By , Categories Program Updates , Comment Comments Off

    Sitting in front of your computer too long? Standing at the public services desk too long? By improving your work area and performing simple exercises as you work, you can help prevent aches, pains, and injuries ...

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  • Ten Money Rules to Live By

    Posted at April 13, 2012 , By , Categories Uncategorized , Comment Comments Off

    Does tax time have you thinking about your finances and financial future? Karen Chan, Extension Educator in Consumer Economics, has answers--whether you're spending, saving, investing, insuring or retiring. In addition to the information she provides during this terrific Reaching Forward session, learn about ...

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  • Are Reference Librarians Becoming Obsolete?

    Posted at April 13, 2012 , By , Categories Program Updates , Comment Comments Off

    Have you ever used a typewriter in your library career?  The Encyclopedia Brittanica has announced that there will no longer be a print edition.  Do you use a travel agent or do it all yourself online?  And, why would a patron need a reference librarian?  ...

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  • Wired that Way

    Posted at April 5, 2012 , By , Categories Program Updates , Comment Comments Off

    Did you know our personalities are inherited, just like our physical features?  Yes, we are all “wired” a certain way.  Our personalities are encoded in our DNA, with inherent strengths and weaknesses that become reinforced through life’s experiences. We are all a work ...

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