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June 30, 2005

Pat McGuckin

White, Mortenson Center Announce Illinois Participants
for International Library Leadership Institute

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have selected 16 Illinois library representatives to take part in a prestigious library leadership institute to be held this September in Springfield.

"Thinking Outside the Borders: Library Leadership In a World Community" will bring the Illinois library representatives together with 14 visiting librarians from Botswana, India, Colombia, Japan, Mauritius, South Africa and Vietnam for an intensive four-day event at the Illinois State Library September 26-29. Participants will discuss issues of common concern and develop, test and implement a program that promotes greater understanding and appreciation of the world community in which librarians work.

White said the 16 Illinois library representatives chosen to participate in the institute are:

• Pat Boze, Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign
• Andrew Bullen, Illinois State Library, Springfield
• G. Kevin Davis, Aurora Public Library, Aurora
• Mary "Mollie" Freier, Brookens Library, Springfield
• Gwen Harrison, Illinois State Library, Springfield
• Barbara Love, Farmington Area Public Library, Farmington
• Kara J. Malenfant, The John T. Richardson Library, Chicago
• Pamela F. Ortega, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston
• Jennifer J. Owens, Freemont Public Library District, Mundelein
• Elizabeth Quinlan, Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions, Chicago
• Jennifer Samaska, Oak Lawn Community High School Library, Oak Lawn
• Roberto A. Saremiento, Northwestern University Transportation Library, Evanston
• Diana Brawley Sussman, Southern Illinois Talking Book Center, Carterville
• Debbie Taylor, North Suburban Library System, Wheeling
• Dane Ward, Milner Library, Bloomington
• Sharon Zuiderveld, Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville

"These outstanding men and women will share and develop ideas and programs with international librarians that reflect the fact that librarians the world over share many common concerns," White said. "On a host of issues ranging from preservation of materials and expanding technology to fundraising and advocacy, librarians everywhere must develop strategies and initiatives to deal with ever-changing global needs. This landmark institute will hopefully help participants develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of how libraries operate in other countries. Participants will develop problem-solving skills that may be useful in international situations, and discuss cross-cultural communication strategies. Most importantly, these participants will develop lasting professional relationships with librarians from other nations. I am thrilled that the Illinois State Library will host this exciting venture."

Barbara J. Ford, Director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs said, "All of our libraries are now global, and this requires librarians to expand their thinking and learn more about the library context in other countries. At the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, we have worked with librarians from more than 80 countries.

"At this institute, participants will be involved in simulation exercises, use leadership assessment tools, listen to presentations followed by group discussions, and will complete a case study in a small group. We are very excited about this opportunity to work with librarians from Illinois and other countries and enhance the strong partnership we have with the Illinois State Library."

In September 2006, a second workshop will involve librarians from Mexico, Canada and other U.S. states. A third workshop in 2007 will involve librarians from Mexico, Arizona and Nebraska. Funding for the project is made possible by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.