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Illinois Reading Enrichment And Development (IREAD) Task Force Report A. Denise Farrugia, Faith Brautigam, Barbara Lintner, Lois Schultz, and Denise Zielinski The Illinois Reading Enrichment and Development (IREAD) Task Force would like to thank all the libraians across Illinois, the Illinois Library Systems and the Illinois Library Association (ILA) for continued support of IREAD. The task force was appointed in 1996 by Ruth Faklis, Illinois Library Association president, to assess the IREAD program with a view toward making recommendations for the future. The task force was charged with the following mission:
• To review accomplishments of the IREAD program under ILA (1987 to present).
Members of the task force were appointed for specific strengths each could bring to the table. Barbara Lintner, 1991 IREAD Chair, for a past chair's perspective; Denise Zielinski, former ILA executive board member and past treasurer, for a financial perspective; Lois Schultz, SLS youth consultant, for a system perspective; Faith Brautigam, Youth Department head, for a fresh perspective, as her only connection to IREAD was as a consumer; and A. Denise Farrugia, for the historical perspective, having been the 1987 and 1988 chair when ILA first assumed responsibility for IREAD. The task force drafted a list of the individual elements of the program, discussed processes and identified areas to examine. In order to determine the needs, preferences and expectations of Illinois librarians, a statewide survey was developed and distributed at the ILA Conference and through the systems. More than 250 surveys were returned and more than 50 percent included extensive comments and suggestions. Based on the survey, conclusions were drawn and a summary was distributed statewide in October 1996. The Strategic Plan and Committee Structure was then presented to the ILA Executive Board for approval in November 1996. The Strategic Plan was approved to be implemented with the 1998 IREAD program. Task Force Background Notes The year 1998 will mark the 17th annual IREAD program for the state of Illinois. Our focus audience is elementary and middle school students. IREAD began with this audience as its focus in 1985. The statewide survey confirmed that students are the audience with which libraries are using reading programs and this is the same audience with which libraries would like to use IREAD. IREAD goals affirm our role in supporting Illinois librarians in their efforts of promoting literacy and lifelong learning. The task force reviewed the reading programs of the ALA, DEMCO, UPSTART, WONDER STORMS and a few other state (Wisconsin and Minnesota) programs. Without exception, each company presented a product line that was very focused. In most cases there were separate product lines to appeal to different age groups, either preschoolers, students or adults. We were unable to locate any product line that covered all ages from preschool through adult. It was evident that successful product lines are both focused in theme and audience. IREAD is one of many commercial options available to libraries. For IREAD to compete successfully, it seems logical to use a strategy that has proven to be successful in the commercial market that we are part of. The criteria for theme and graphics address concerns about serving the preschool, high school and adult audiences in libraries. The criteria were developed using documentation from IREAD files, which included surveys, product evaluation forms, comments gathered at brainstorming sessions and the task force 92 survey. The criteria is succinct and consistent with the mission, focus and goals. The intent is to maintain clear and open lines of communication between the committee and the grassroots support and involvement of librarians statewide. We want everyone to know what IREAD is all about and who is it for. A new contracted position for IREAD is that of Designer. KSA Communication has been hired by the Illinois Library Association to work with IREAD in providing technical support and expertise with the artwork, products and manuals. The committee will be able to concentrate on the coordination, supervision and direction of the program. With constant technology changes in the art and printing industries, IREAD will be well served to have a professional agency handling the production aspects of the program. The timeline for IREAD has been revised to be aligned with the Illinois Library Association's fiscal year, July to June, and a fall conference.
Committee appointments effective in July
This is an exciting time as IREAD prepares for the 21st Century. The task force hopes that IREAD will be able to renew your trust and that you will look with confidence to IREAD in the future. If you have any questions, please contact:
A. Denise Farrugia, 1998 IREAD Chair
Strategic Plan as Approved by the Illinois Library Association Mission Statement The Illinois Reading Enrichment And Development (IREAD) program is a coordinated, self-supporting effort between librarians and the ILA to develop and provide high quality, low-cost resources and products to enable local library staff to motivate children to read. Focus Audience: Elementary & middle school students (kindergarten through grade 8). Frequency: Annual Primary Market: State of Illinois Goals All goals are equally important to the program: • To provide a program that supports local library efforts to promote literacy and life-long learning. • To provide a forum for grassroots involvement across the state. • To encourage statewide participation in and use of the IREAD theme. • To encourage efficient use of local staff time by networking resources across the state. • To provide high quality, low-cost products through volume purchase. • To provide resources and projects suitable for all size libraries, rural, urban and suburban. Criteria for Theme The Theme is to: • be universal in promoting reading. • be focused in interpretation. • be dynamic and imply action. • be appropriate for both genders. • include the work "Book" or "Read" (or a derivative). • lend itself to strong, graphic interpretation. • have appeal to both K-8 students and library staff. Theme concepts are eligible to be repeated after eight (8) years. This cycle is to be presented at brainstorming sessions as an option for consideration in the development of theme concepts. 93 Year theme concept is eligible for reconsideration. 1999 Food, Safari, Music, City/Country 2000 Science & Exploration, and all the above if not used 2001 Mystery and all the above if not used 2002 Celebrations and all the above if not used 2003 Nature and all the above if not used 2004 Travel and all the above if not used 2005 Space, Sports and all the above if not used Criteria for Graphics • The graphic interpretation must be focused, consistent with the concept and description of the theme, and be inviting to the target audience, K-8 students. • Graphics must have a strong visual impact. • Graphic designs must be original. • The style is to be consistent in and through all elements of the project. • Design elements from the poster are also to be utilized individually as spot art and on products. • Additional graphics will be included in the manuals to extend the use of the theme and graphics to supplementary audiences: preschool, high school, and adult. • Quality and caliber of reproduction, including scanning, is critical. • Human figures must reflect age, gender and ethnic diversity. • The IREAD logo shall appear on all items where feasible (ex. not feasible on pencil).
• Graphics are unique and may not be reused in a statewide reading program at a later date. IREAD Committee The IREAD Committee shall be made up of nine Illinois Library Association members as follows: Three Chairs: a past Chair, a present Chair, a future Chair Four Coordinators: Manual, Showcase, Conference, Publicity Two Members at Large: to backup Coordinators and perform duties as requested by the present Chair. Chairs will serve a three year term. Coordinators and Members at Large will serve two year terms. IREAD Advisory Council The IREAD Advisory Council, chaired and selected each year by the past IREAD Chair, shall be made up of seven ILA members, five who are previous but not current IREAD Committee Members, and two who have not been on the IREAD Committee. It need not meet on a regular basis, but would serve as a resource to advise and preserve continuity. This Council shall submit recommendations to the ILA President for selection of IREAD Chairs, as well as advise and provide information to present and future IREAD Chairs when necessary.
*A. Denise Farrugia, Chair, St. Charles Public Library District; Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin; Barbara Lintner, Urbana Free Library; Lois Schultz, Suburban Library System, Burr Ridge; and Denise Zielinski, Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, Lombard. 94 |
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