ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY

Illinois Library and Information Science Training Grant

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2012.

The Illinois Library and Information Science Training Grant Program, administered by the Illinois State Library, provides grants each year to college graduates who possess exceptional academic achievement and an interest in becoming librarians. More than 500 students have received the grant since the program was implemented. The fifteen scholarships may be used for either full or part-time studies at an American Library Association-accredited graduate library school.

A Statement from Illinois State Library Director Anne Craig

"Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the ISL remain steadfast in our commitment to support Illinois libraries and library systems and the priorities of delivery, the automated consortial catalogs and the Talking Book programs. To fulfill this goal, in Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), the ISL will once again suspend offerings traditionally supported by federal LSTA funding, specifically competitive grant programs, scholarships, and continuing education programs such as Synergy, the Small Public Library Management Institute and the Institute form School and Public Librarians. The ISL continuing education program, ILEAD U, is supported by a separate grant until 2012.

Unfortunately, funding delays will once again figure prominently into cash flow challenges for all ISL grantees between now and the end of the calendar year. The General Assembly has extended the period during which FY11 payments can be made until December 31, 2011. FY12 payments will not begin until after FY11 payments have been made.

Secretary White has maintained state grant funding for libraries (e.g. public library per capita, school district, literacy and construction grants) when other states have experienced much more severe cuts, and when any grant program is particularly vulnerable to cuts or total elimination. Additionally, Secretary White has secured grants from sources new to the ISL. Grants from both the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have recently provided much needed materials and services to libraries to support direct patron needs. In addition, the Secretary has selected three strategically located public libraries for new videoconference packages; the Helen Matthes Library in Effingham, the Galesburg Public Library, and the Quincy Public Library. These packages will ease communication challenges brought about by the recent regional library system mergers. As reflected in the ISL’s Strategic Plan, Secretary White will continue to pursue other grant opportunities as allowed by ISL administrative capacity and authority from the General Assembly. At this time in our state’s fiscal crisis, we applaud the efforts of the regional library systems to merge from ten to three (Reaching Across Illinois, Illinois Heartland and Chicago Public Library). We hope these mergers will, in the coming months, realize significant savings for administrative support."

For up-to-date budget and payment information, visit the Illinois Comptroller’s website, and particularly the Comptroller’s Quarterly.