As you may be aware, the Illinois State Library has submitted a draft update to the Administrative Rules related to the Illinois State Library System Act to be adopted by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).  You will find the complete text in the Illinois Register here.  Our sister system Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) has analyzed the proposed rules and posted that analysis here.

We are currently in the JCAR formal comment period that closes January 23.  All comments regarding the proposed rules are shared with JCAR and the Illinois State Library must formally reply to all comments.  The public hearing for the rules is set for Wednesday, January 21 at 10 a.m.  You may attend the hearing in person at the Illinois State Library (Videoconference Room) or by videoconference at regional library system offices, including the Champaign, Du Quoin and Edwardsville IHLS offices.

IHLS and Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) are charged to provide services to our member libraries.  The proposed rules focus on these services which we often refer to as "system standards."  This is the first significant change to the system standards in many, many years.  The proposed rules impact the services we are able to provide to our members under the Library System Act and we want you to have the opportunity to comment before the rules go into effect.  Two options exist for voicing concern:

• Attend the January 21 hearing  (click here for complete location information)
• Send written or email comments about the proposed changes to:
  • Joseph Natale, Illinois State Library Rules Coordinator
    Gwendolyn Brooks Building
    300 South Second Street
    Springfield, IL 62701-1796
    jnatale@ilsos.net

Throughout the drafting process, IHLS members have raised concerns to the Illinois State Library and those comments impacted changes to the draft version submitted to JCAR for formal consideration and action.  We only have a small window of opportunity to let our voices be heard.  I strongly encourage you to review the proposed changes, the RAILS analysis, and to share your perspective on those changes with the Illinois State Library. 

Please contact me directly with any questions regarding this process.

Warmly,
Leslie 

Leslie M. Bednar
Executive Director
Illinois Heartland Library System
6725 Goshen Road
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618/656.3216, x420  Office
618/364.6680  Cell
618/656.3216  Fax
lbednar@illinoisheartland.org