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When I was a child, it was my good fortune to live a block from our local library. When I was old enough to go to the library on my own, I spent hours on end sprawled on the floor in the history section of the children's area reading everything I could about American history. ... I don't know how often I looked up to see Mrs. Bryant smiling at me from the end of the bookshelf... I worked part-time while in high school and the local college and found myself working with Mrs. Bryant at the library. ... I became a school librarian in 1987, spent the first seven years working at a K-12 facility ... and then moved back to my hometown to be the high school librarian. I retired in 2016.

I was the first president of IHLS in 2011 and represented school libraries. Presently, I am on the Centralia Regional Library District board of trustees and have returned to the IHLS board as a Public Library Trustee.

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It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Granite City since 2003 as trustee and current president of Six Mile Regional Library District. Our mission is to make a significant difference in the everyday lives of the people in our community by providing programs, services and resources. I am an advocate for public libraries that have made a difference especially in these trying times. 

I was on the board of the Lewis and Clark System that transitioned into IHLS, and it [is] a privilege to serve again.

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My first library job was straight out of high school working part-time the local community college. I didn’t know it then, but that opportunity and the mentors I had put me on a path I never could have imagined for myself. Nearly 20 years later, I feel so fortunate for that opportunity and the other ones that came my way thereafter. I often say something along the lines of, "Libraries are no longer about books, we are about people." Often that sentiment is patron-facing, but it is just as important to be "about people" as we coach, lead, and develop staff. As professionals in the field, we have a responsibility not just to the "Now," but to the future. I hope to do my part in inspiring others to do well in this field as so many have inspired me along the way.

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Sarah followed in her mother's footsteps and became a high school librarian, serving in public schools for fourteen years in southern and central Illinois. Now she's been at Lake Land College Library in Mattoon for nine years, serving as the Director since 2021. Sarah has always been active in professional organizations—in the past she was president of the Illinois School Library Media Association and YALSA, a division of the American Library Association. She is currently volunteering on the Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges Board as Reporter, the SHARE Executive Council and eResources Committee, and the RUSA Reading List Council. 

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After working over 15 years at the Bethalto Public Library, I "retired" amidst the shutdown. My job at the time was as a Programming Specialist, and since there was no programming, I resigned to assist my elderly parents. As soon as an opportunity to serve on the board of the aforementioned library, I jumped at the chance! It's been a privilege to serve my community in this capacity as a strong proponent of free access to materials of all kinds to enhance the lives of those who live here. I've used a library my entire life and would love the opportunity to watch and maybe, even if just a little, help things grow and adapt to our changing environment.

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The library was my sanctuary growing up, an endless world of opportunity. Over the years I have been on both sides of the counter, both employee and patron. I became a board member of the Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library as a way to shape how the library grew and evolved with the changing times. I am equally excited to be just as involved with the Illinois Heartland Library System.

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It has been my honor to serve as a member of the Effingham Public Library the Board of Trustees. Most of this time I have served as Co-President of the Board. My service on the Board saw major challenges and transitions from moving into a new building to dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Public libraries are an invaluable asset to their communities and provide a haven of literacy and public service beyond the traditional role of public libraries. As we move forward, public libraries will have to find ways to stay relevant to the communities that they serve.

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Serving in a trustee capacity is new for me but I realize, after 30+ years, I do have some valuable insight and experience to bring to the table. I earned my Masters in Library Science while working at the Shawnee Library System. There, I served in various capacities and had the privilege of working closely with staff from all types of libraries in southern Illinois. I was the manager of the Talking Books Department at Shawnee when the four southern library systems merged to form IHLS in 2011. I became the library director at Sallie Logan Public Library in 2014. I feel librarians have a responsibility to actively participate in the profession outside of the walls of our libraries. Serving on the IHLS board is just one way to contribute, and I am honored to do so.

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I’ve been passionate about libraries since I was a young child. My children’s and middle school librarian helped me to devour books. I almost went to library school after college but got a job instead. When I moved back to my hometown of Decatur, I was fortunate to join the Friends of the Library. I served on that board for three years before I was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees. During COVID, I served as board president while also working toward MLIS in 2022 and working full time. At one point, I served on all three library boards including the Foundation. My personal goal is to advocate for the services and show the benefits our library provides the community. I’m excited to share my experience and learn more by serving on the IHLS board.

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My career in education began as a school librarian, moved to becoming a reading specialist, principal and ending as a Superintendent of schools, which totaled 38 years in the education field, makes me well qualified to be on the IHLS Board of Directors. Also, I have been on the Taylorville Public Library Board of Trustees for five years and have served as President for three years. I am enthusiastic, passionate, well-versed in the importance of literacy, have great knowledge on how important it is to serve the public, and the critical need of library programs for underserved populations. My latest experience as a Library Trustee has updated my knowledge of the library system and its workings thus giving me the desire to serve as IHLS board member.

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Appointed to fill a vacancy in 2024, I have an appreciation for the impact libraries can have for children, families, and senior citizens engaged in life-long learning. Though I am not a library professional, I know first-hand what libraries have done for me and can do for our communities.

My relationship with libraries is vast. I purchased books for my high school library when I was a student, utilized my college specialty library for studies in International Relations, and the Library of Congress for research on my senior thesis. Presidential Libraries & Museums are a hobby of mine when I get the chance to visit (Lincon, Hoover, Truman, Nixon, Reagan, Clinton). More to come!

My local library in Salem provides a wonderful environment for reading clubs, homeschool children programs, social events for seniors, and special events in partnership with such groups as the Smithsonian Institute’s Voices & Votes program and the Illinois Freedom Project. They have great programs that I would like to see replicated across the Heartland Library System.

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Libraries have always been a huge part of my life. As a young child, I visited the public library on a daily basis. I also loved visiting my school library. When I was a preteen, I became a “Library Hero,” volunteering at my local public library, doing small jobs, and helping with the summer reading program. My love of libraries continued to grow. I looked up to the librarians in my life and could see myself in a similar position. I worked as a page in high school and as a materials processor in college. I earned my BA in Elementary Education. After that, I moved to New Mexico to run a library at a school in New Mexico. During that time, I earned my MA in Information Resources in Library Science at the University of Arizona. I thought I would end up in public libraries, but my experience in Education drew me to continue working in school libraries. I have worked in school libraries in Central Illinois since 2011. I am currently working as the District Librarian for the Riverton Schools. I’m passionate about connecting my students with books in which they are interested. Students should have access to books that are about characters that are like them in multiple ways.

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Libraries have played an instrumental role throughout my life. As a child, I spent hours at the library checking out books, doing research for school, and using the computers. Starting in elementary school, it was librarians who taught me to do research, and that continued into college, where the librarians were so instrumental that they inspired me to become one myself. I graduated with my Master of Science in Library and Information Sciences in 2017. I spent the first three years of my career working for the Auburn Public Library District, first as the librarian and then as the library director. It was an honor to serve the Auburn community, but an opportunity to work at the Illinois State Archives arose in 2020 that I couldn't let pass. As a records archivist, I get to assist our patrons with their research. Each research request is like a mini mystery that I get to help solve. I am also passionate about promoting the use of primary sources in education. Libraries and archives go hand in hand as institutions of information, and I look forward to working together to support and uplift each other.

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My first library job was processing books in college at the University of Illinois. I loved it but was already pursuing a degree in education. After teaching social studies at a school with no library, I saw how important school libraries were to the success of a school. I worked as a middle school library clerk for a few years and eventually got my MSLIS at the University of Illinois. As a school librarian, I have worked in middle and high schools in Decatur and Champaign. I have been the librarian at Champaign Central High School since 2014. I am a member of AISLE and have participated in the Rebecca Caudill and Lincoln Award Book Choice committees. I recently joined a regional response team to fight censorship locally and look forward to helping defend the right to read. I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the IHLS Board. 

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I am a seasoned School Library Media Specialist with over 17 years of experience. My wealth of expertise includes managing district libraries, overseeing staff, and implementing instructional technology. In 2023, I served as a public library trustee for the Mississippi Valley Library District, demonstrating a strong commitment to community service and fostering inclusive library experiences. Holding the role of Director of Curriculum Integration & Reporting at Dupo CUSD 196, with additional responsibilities as Media Specialist and Director of Educational Technology, I hope to contribute valuable insights to the IHLS Board. With a master’s in education +32 LIS Hours, I passionately advocate for ensuring public libraries are inclusive and welcoming spaces for all patrons, aiming to enhance educational resources and promote diversity within the IHLS community.