In Loving Memory - Barry Levine

I would like to talk about my friend Barry Levine, a most unique individual and a Homer Township Library trustee whom I grew to love. Barry passed away Wednesday, April 29th of unknown causes. He was listening to a recorded book at the time and I think he would have thought it quite proper that he left us doing something he so enjoyed. But he left us much too soon.

Barry had three passions in life. The first was his family, wife Phyllis DiMonte-Levine, and their three children: Randy, Rachael and Sarah. They were the light and joy of his life and he spoke of them often. His other two passions involved improving service for the blind and physically disabled and advocating for libraries and their services. He often combined both, successfully contributing to advancing library services for the blind and physically challenged. Barry and Phyllis are the owners of an outpatient rehabilitation center, Functional Therapy and Rehabilitation, PC in Homer Glen. Barry was a popular and respected individual in local, state, and system library and accessibility arenas and he made a true difference in many lives.

Barry was recognized in 2001 by the Illinois Library Association and received the Trustee of the Year Award for his advocacy and efforts in the library world. In 2004 Barry received the Alexander J. Skrzypek Award for his outstanding contributions to library service for the blind and physically challenged. He was a mover and a shaker who prided himself on rarely missing one board meeting at either the local or system level in a combined total of 18 years. Barry was a true visionary, contributing to effectively moving libraries into the future and embracing service for all.

I think that I will end by telling you that Barry Levine was a dedicated, positive, proactive, and thoughtful man. He was also eloquent and very funny. I enjoyed both his intelligence and his wit; he loved a good story and shared many with us.

His motto was: "Become involved and stay involved in your community, where you can make a difference." He loved his life, he lived his motto. He made a difference. He left us too soon. And he will be greatly missed.

I wish I had one last opportunity to say "Thank you, Barry...you made a huge impact in my life and I am a better person for having known you."

I am an ILA Candidate

On April 1st the Illinois Library Association (ILA) opens their 2009 Election Polls. Candidates are posted for the Vice-President/President Elect, ALA Councilor, and Board of Directors. Candidate bios and statements can be found here. I am honored to run as a candidate for the ILA Board of Directors and I would be proud to represent you.

ILA provides effective leadership to the Illinois Library community and is 3,000 members strong. The electronic polls close April 30 and I encourage you to read the candidate statements (mine is below) and select your choice to best represent you and the interests of the library communities we serve.

My Statement of Concern (full bio here)
I am an advocate for spotlighting and linking the library to those we serve in new ways, including creating strong connections with other community agencies. We need to showcase our value and illustrate how essential libraries are in supporting residents at every stage and age in their lives.

We need to encourage our users, leaders, and staff to become vocal library advocates and - even more so - library champions. Break those library stereotypes we still experience; get involved with agencies and organizations to be both seen and heard. In my experience if library leaders are not "at the table" others in leadership roles may only peripherally take note of the library. The vibrancy of our services and value to the community we each serve needs to be advocated front and center. ILA provides strong leadership regarding the many challenges today's libraries face. As your ILA representative, I can provide a thoughtful voice to encourage leadership and innovation, including "best practices". I would be honored to serve on your behalf as part of ILA's partnership with Illinois Libraries.

Convenience & Savings for You

The economy is tough. Studies show that people use public libraries more heavily during tough economic downturns and we have found this to be true. Check out the recent Jim Rettig article "Libraries Stand Ready to Help in Tough Economic Times," the Wall Street Journal article, "Folks are Flocking to the Library," the Boston Globe's article "Library Use Increases as Economy Falls," and "The Public Library Renaissance" article.

REDISCOVER HOW THE LIBRARY CAN SAVE YOU $$$
Homer Library can save you money. To demonstrate this we provide an online interactive chart that shows how much you would pay out-of-pocket for library services. Place your monthly usage of books, magazines, etc. and the total value of your library use will be calculated and shown at the bottom of the chart.

Your library prides itself on being a convenient, efficient, and accessible community center. We continue to review building, program, usage patterns, and area demographics to help us adapt to customer needs.

AN INCREDIBLY BUSY PLACE - Increasing statistics show that we are used heavily by Homer residents. At Homer Library we have seen the following increases over the past year:

1. Material loans increased 25% - we check out 1,081 items daily or 90 items each hour (70,000 more than last year).

2. We average 560 programs annually; more than one per day.

3. We register three new users each day.

4. 600 people visit us daily.

5. 900 people use our public internet room monthly; more take advantage of our wireless network.

6. 750 people access the library website daily.

7. Staff answers 90 Help Desk questions daily.

CHANGING TO MEET YOUR NEEDS @ Homer Library - As your first choice for information we plan to increase the convenience that you need. Feel free to provide your feedback to me here. I appreciate and value all public comment and further recommendations.

Congratulations President Barack Obama!

At Homer Township Library many of us watched and listened to the historic moment when our 44th president of the United States of America was sworn in. During this exciting moment in time I offer a brief message to our newly elected President:

Dear President Obama:
You have stated, "More than a building that houses books and data, the library represents a window to a larger world, the place where we've always come to discover big ideas and profound concepts that help move the American story forward..." Well stated!

As a librarian I think you get "us." I look forward to a "Yes we can" presidency and your full support of libraries, which you refer to as the "sanctuaries of learning." As a public library director who strives to make an ongoing difference in my community your words touch my heart.

Congratulations to you on this most exciting, memorable, and historic day!

Sheree Kozel-La Ha

2009 = More for You @ Your Library!

Happy New Year!
2009 has started with a bang and we are pleased to announce our two newest grant awards of $75,000.

HOMER LIBRARY IS A DESTINATION STATION
"Destination Station" is a technology specific grant that allows the library to upgrade and add technical equipment, including new computers for both children and adults. Ten new Kids Connect computers, each loaded with thirty educational programs, will be added, as will "family stations, where an adult can work side by side with a child at separate computers. Funding also provides new internet room computers and adds word processing computers throughout the public areas of the library. This is a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, awarded by the Illinois State Library with federal funding provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). We believe you will enjoy the added convenience of new equipment and software!

TEEN SCENE & MORE
The second award is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). We extend our appreciation to State Representative Renee Kosel for her assistance with this grant opportunity. This award will allow us to upgrade areas of the library including adding a new Teen Scene area where students and library youth can do homework and socialize with friends.

Grant awards provide needed funding to our tax-capped library budget. Successful grants allow us to offer some really neat things at Homer Library and expand the way we can serve you well. Both projects will enrich your library experience and add convenient new areas for your use. We know you will find more value than ever before at Homer Library!