Illinois Library Day April 18-19, 2007
SAVE THE DATE
STATE WIDE DINNER & STRATEGY SESSION
Wednesday evening, April 18,a statewide dinner with Kip Kolkmeier, ILA lobbyist, will be held at the Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Drive, Springfield.
At that time, participants will receive packets of information and a full briefing by Kip on the issues.
The dinner, from 6:30-9:00 pm featuring a cash bar, is an opportunity to mix and mingle with your colleagues and develop your strategy for visiting legislators.
Register by April 11, 2007. To register, go to the DLS Continuing Education calendar at http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1165875762.html. The cost is $30, payable in advance to the DuPage Library System, coordinator of the dinner.
HOTEL
Hotel rooms in Springfield are scarce already. It's important to take action now. Rooms at the Northfield Inn are already gone, but we've been able to block the remaining 24 rooms at the Ramada Ltd across the street at the state rate of $74 for 2 bed double rooms under PALS (Prairie Area Library System), 217-523-4000.
PALS also was able to block 20 rooms at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, formerly the Renaissance, ( 217) 523-7900 for Wednesday night at $70 for a single and $85 for double occupancy. Tax is not included in the rate.
Please mention that you're calling to reserve rooms blocked by PALS. Otherwise, the rooms are $129 plus tax.
CUT OFF DATE FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS
Blocked rooms not reserved by March 28 will be released.
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST AND RALLY
Early on Thursday morning, a breakfast with legislators will be held in the atrium of the Illinois State Library. This would make for an easy opportunity to visit with your legislators and make them aware of the very latest library related legislation and how it affects us as you'll just have heard a presentation by Kip the night before.
Similarly to last year, a Rally with some motivational speakers is on the agenda.
All involved in planning last year's event recognize that we need to change how lunches were handled and you can count on the committee to do so. This year's event will take the best parts of last year's ILD and make it better yet. You'll definitely want to be a part of it and leave Springfield feeling upbeat.
TRANSPORTATION
PALS will arrange for bus transport from Mendota to Springfield for those attending the PG Delegates/OPAC Assembly Meeting on April 18.
PALS will also be working with DuPage, MLS and NSLS to coordinate transportation to Springfield from a stop in Shorewood.
Details will be announced as they are worked out. Other transportation arrangements directly from the service centers are in the works also. Save the date!
LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM/LIBRARY
We'll also allow for some time for you to visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. Even if you spent time at the museum last year, the exhibits change and there are new displays to look at and study.
Plan on a beautiful spring day among the dogwoods and crab apples in Springfield and block the dates now!
It will be an exceptionally busy lobbying year in Springfield this session and our presence is needed to show that librarians are active, that they vote and that they need to be listened to.
Please act now and call to make reservations to guarantee a hotel room if you intend to arrive for the state wide dinner on Wednesday evening and be there bright and early for the Legislative Breakfast.
Watch for more details to follow
posted at: 15:05 | path: | permanent link to this entry
