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April 8, 2005

Beth Kaufman
Pat McGuckin

White Marks National Library Week, Says Libraries More Important Than Ever

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is marking National Library Week, April 10-16, by applauding Illinois libraries, librarians and library workers.

"Our libraries continue to be the most reliable sources of information available to citizens," White said. "Whether they are looking for anything from books to Internet access, patrons know they can count on librarians and library staff to meet their educational, entertainment or informational needs."

As part of National Library Week festivities, White said hundreds of Illinois librarians will go to Springfield on April 13 to lobby their local lawmakers as part of Library Advocacy Day.

"Librarians, library staff, trustees and other library supporters from throughout Illinois will meet their local lawmakers to let them know how important libraries are to their constituents, and how much libraries depend on state funding for essential operations," White said. "Each year my office awards millions of dollars in grants to libraries and local literacy programs, for such things as purchasing new books, expanding technology, to hiring and maintaining staff. This funding impacts almost every community in Illinois."

Illinois has a network of more than 4,000 public, school, academic and special libraries.

White encouraged citizens who use libraries to give something back to their community by getting more involved with their libraries or local literacy programs.

"People who borrow books and other materials can help their libraries or literacy programs in a variety of ways--including offering to read to children at the library, becoming a volunteer tutor, organizing or contributing to a used book sale or writing letters of support to lawmakers," White said. "Let's work together to maintain our libraries as places for lifelong learning, and during National Library Week, make a point of thanking your local library staff for all they do to enrich our lives."