Illinois Libraries Present earns award for its resource sharing
Illinois Libraries Present is the recipient of the Illinois Library Association's 2023 Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award for Interlibrary Cooperation, which is awarded annually in recognition of exceptional resource-sharing initiatives that benefit library users in Illinois.
Illinois Libraries Present is a collaboration among Illinois public libraries to present high-interest, online presentations with A-list authors and other notable public figures. Guest speakers have included authors Mary Roach and Jenny Lawson, New York Times puzzle master Will Shortz, Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin, Olympic medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and hairstylist/TV personality Jonathan Van Ness.
The initiative began in 2021 as an effort to inspire conversation and create community through shared online programming. By bringing together public library resources, ILP offers access to presenters that would otherwise be difficult for any individual library to offer. More than 200 Illinois public libraries participate. Vernon Area Public Library has been a member since its inception.
"ILP strives to affirm the role of libraries post-pandemic as vibrant centers of humanity's learning, conversation and connection," Steering Committee member Alexandra Skinner said. "ILP does not just elevate one library, but a community of Illinois libraries."
The fall 2023 speaker lineup includes Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow Stephen Graham Jones, and Netflix "Bake Squad" star Maya-Camille Broussard.
Find details and information on the Vernon Area Public Library calendar of events at VAPLD.info/calendar.
The ILA Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award for Interlibrary Cooperation will be presented at an awards ceremony during the 2023 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference, which will be held in Springfield in October.
The award is supported by the Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Fund and by the Valerie J. Wilford Memorial Fund, established in recognition of contributions to multi-type cooperation and resource sharing.