Illinois
Libraries

George H. Ryan Secretary of State and State Librarian Bridget L.Lamont Director, Illinois State Library Kathleen L. Bloomberg Editor Kristie Metrow Assistant Editor Editorial Policy ILLINOIS LIBRARIES is the official journal of the Illinois State Library. The purpose of ILLINOIS LIBRARIES is to disseminate articles of general interest to library staff and library governing officials in Illinois who represent all types of libraries and library consortia. Every effort is made to provide a balanced treatment of library-related issues. Articles are solicited that will address the interests of the publication's audience. Individuals are also encouraged to submit unsolicited articles for consideration. Articles are not limited to Illinois contributors, and guidelines for manuscript submission are available upon request. ILLINOIS LIBRARIES will not compensate authors for submitted or requested articles. The editor and/or the director of the Illinois State Library has the right to reject and/or edit articles before printing. Edited manuscripts and/or galley-proofs cannot be sent to individuals for approval. Published articles do not necessarily repreent the views of the Illinois State Libraryandthe Office of the Secretary of State. Articles from ILLINOIS LIBRARIES may not be reprinted without prior written permission of the Illinois State Library. Reprint of an article should include a credit to ILLINOIS LIBRARIES. For permission, contact Editor, ILLINOIS LIBRARIES, Illinois State Library, 300 South Second Street, Room 502, Springfield, IL 62701-1796. Telephone: (217) 785-0052. Internet; kbloomb@library.sos.state.il.us No advertisements are allowed in ILLINOIS LIBRARIES. Forms and other tear out sheets cannot be placed in ILLINOIS LIBRARIES due to postal regulations. ILLINOIS LIBRARIES is free of charge. Back issues, if available, are also free of charge. ILLINOIS LIBRARIES (ISSN 0019-2104; OCLC 1752654); publishes four issues yearly. (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) Published by the Illinois State Library, Room 502, Springfield, IL 62701-1796, Periodical postage paid at Springfield, IL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ILLINOIS LIBRARIES, Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701 1746.

Winter 1998      Springfield, Illinois         Vol. 80 No. 1 Table of Contents Tomorrow's Library — The American View ...........Mary A. Dempsey    5 Libraries and the Internet, Part II: Legally Speaking, What is the Internet? ..........................Rinda Y. Allison and Scott F. Uhler    11 Read Any Good Films Lately? .................................Susan Sussman    13 Intergenerational Library Programs in Nursing Homes .............................................................Anne M. Ring    15 Generational Dynamics and Librarianship: Managing Generation ..............................Eric A. Cooper and Julie Cooper    18 Effective Connections with Elected Officials: How to Contact Them, What to Expect, and How to Benefit — Three Perspectives .............Irene Herold, Rebecca Hultgren and Sue Cleary    22 The Evolution of Academic Branch Libraries ........................................Odin L. Jurkowski    27 Status Report on Library Automation and Networking in Community Colleges .............................Yvonne Singley     29 Computer Tutors Put Vets on the Net! ..........................................Arlis Dittmer      32 Guidelines for Illinois Libraries Manuscripts       36

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Illinois State Library Advisory Committee 1998

Name	Term Expires
Lydia Acosta Fountaindale Public Library District, Bolingbrook	2000
Ann P. Bishop Graduate Library School, University of Illinois, Urbana	1999
Doris Brown DePaul University, Chicago	1999
Barbara Burroughs Rock Falls	1998
David Dyer Elmhurst	1999
Pam Feather DuPage Library System, Geneva	1998
Dale Hoover Danville	2000
Jan Ison Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign	1999
Mary Barb Johnson Lake Forest	1999
Mary Kay Kickels Palos Hills	2000
Robert Plotzke Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur	1999
Jill Rodriguez Besenville Community Public Library District	1998
Fayne Tharp East St. Louis School District 189	1999
Jane Yoder Waukegan Community Unit Schools, District 60	2000
Robert Wedgeworth University of Illinois, Urbana	1999
Mary Wyly Newberry Library, Chicago	2000
Kathleen Zar University of Chicago	2000

Ex Officio Member
Kathleen Balcom, President, Illinois Library Association
Mary Dempsey, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library

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GEORGE H. RYAN SECRETARY OF STATE

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
_______________________________________________________________________

Dear Friends,

This issue ushers in a new year of Illinois Libraries. The new year brings many challenges in library services, funding and electronic access. In my eighth year as State Librarian, I again welcome the opportunity to work with you in addressing library needs.

I am pleased at how Illinois libraries have grown over the past few years with the help of two new funding programs. These initiatives have assisted libraries financially and draw attention to the need for continued funding for library service.

The Live & Learn program, established in 1993, funds various library programs ranging from library construction and family literacy to school library grants and services for the disabled. Library systems also receive technology funding from this program.

The new Educate & Automate program, established in 1996, provides $4 million annually for library technology, addressing a major library need identified by the General Assembly Task Force on Library Finance. The program also supplements funding for literacy programs. Along with a new federal program for discounted telecommunications, we are moving forward with bringing library service into the information age.

Sincerely, GEORGE H. RYAN Secretary of State and State Librarian

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One of my favorite topics is addressed in this issue. Many librarians, including myself, tend to prefer the book to the movie version, so I was intrigued by the article, "Read Any Good Films Lately?" It is written by a successful Illinois author, Susan Sussman, who participated in the State Library's first Illinois Authors Book Fair. Her perspective about books and movies is engaging.

Technology issues also are covered in this issue as well as other important initiatives. One example is "Intergenerational Library Programs in Nursing Homes," an enthusiastic and practical guide about providing library programs involving youngsters and nursing home residents. The author, Anne Ring, was instrumental in developing a broad range of these special library services at a Libertyville nursing home. The program, which began with a Library Services & Construction Act, flourished under her leadership.

The articles illustrate the diverse areas that the library profession faces each day. Contributions to Illinois Libraries are welcomed in order to share experiences and successes. Manuscript guidelines are included at the back. We look forward to hearing from you.

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