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April 3, 2007

http://www.illinoislibraryday.info

Librarians To March And Rally In Springfield April 19

SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White today announced that his office will be hosting Illinois Library Day on Thursday April 19, at which hundreds of Illinois librarians, staff, trustees, library users and supporters will gather in Springfield to meet with legislators and generate support for libraries.

The annual event is designed to remind legislators and citizens of the important role that public, school, academic and special libraries play in Illinois. The highlight of the day is a march from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to the State Capitol, where a large and enthusiastic rally is planned.

Illinois Library Day is sponsored by the Illinois Library Association, the Illinois School Library Media Association, the Illinois Library Systems Directors Organization, the Illinois Special Libraries Association, and the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois.

"Illinois Library Day is our chance to show legislators who vote for library funding that there are millions of Illinoisans who care deeply about their libraries, and to educate lawmakers about current legislation that affects libraries and the patrons who use them," said Dianne Harmon, Associate Director of the Joliet Public Library and coordinator of Illinois Library Day. "The theme for this year's event is 'Strong Libraries Make Illinois Strong'. It is important for us to maintain state funding for libraries and drive home the point that our libraries are essential to the citizens of Illinois."

The public is welcome to march and rally with the library community. Supporters will gather at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum at the corner of Sixth and Jefferson Streets in downtown Springfield at 11:15 a.m. The march will begin at 11:30, and the rally will be held at noon at the Lincoln statue on the east side of the Capitol Building at Second and Capitol Streets. In the event of inclement weather, the rally will move to the first floor rotunda of the Capitol Building.

Other events scheduled to take place include a strategy session and dinner the night before the event and a breakfast for lawmakers on April 19 at the Illinois State Library. Box lunches will also be available at the State Library following the rally. Information about cost and registration for these events can be found at www.ila.org/events/reg_ild.htm. For the latest information about Library Day, log on to http://www.illinoislibraryday.info.