Illinois
Libraries

Jesse White Secretary of State and State Librarian Jean E. Wilkins 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.

Summer 1999      Springfield, Illinois         Vol. 81 No. 3 Table of Contents Libraries and the First Amendment Robert P. Doyle   127 The Illinois State Library: Extension, Reorganization and Experimentation, 1921-1955 Mark Sorensen    131 Questions and Answers on Library Law: The Open Meetings Act, Part I Scott Uhler, Janet Petsche and Rinda Allison   139 Training Staff and Users for Computer Literacy Edna Kaempfer   142 From the Trenches: Literacy Recommendations for the Next Century Judith Rake    152 The Small Public Library Management Institute and Its Impact on Library Service Throughout Illinois Jeanne Urbanek   155 Surviving Property Tax Caps in Illinois Public Libraries Margaret Collins   164 Latin American Literature in Spanish: Notes for the Novice Selector Rebecca Martin     173 1998 Illinois Academic Library Statistics: Rank Order Tables Elizabeth McKenney Titus      177 Guidelines for Illinois Libraries Manuscripts       196

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Illinois State Library Advisory Committee 1999

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
Vandella Brown East St. Louis Public Library	2002
Vickie Cook Kaskaskia Community College, Centralia	2002
Mary Dempsey The Chicago Public Library	2002
Eileen Dubin Dekalb	2002
David Dyer Elmhurst	1999
Dale Hoover Danville	2000
Jan Ison Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign	1999
Mary Barb Johnson Lake Forest	1999
Deborah Johnson-Small Illinois Department of Human Services, Springfield	2002
Mary Kay Kickels Palos Hills	2000
Susan Lucco Lewis & Clark Library System, Edwardsville	2002
Robert Plotzke Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur	1999
Fayne Tharp East St. Louis School District 189	1999
Robert Wedgeworth University of Illinois, Urbana	1999
Mary Wyly Newberry Library, Chicago	2000
Jane Yoder Waukegan Community Unit Schools, District 60	2000
Kathleen Zar University of Chicago	2000

Ex Officio Member
Pamela Gaitskill, President, Illinois Library Association

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Jesse White Secretary of State

Dear Friends,

A key challenge facing us today is access to information. The library community has steadfastly advocated our First Amendment rights, despite opposing efforts by various groups.

With the burgeoning growth of the Internet, however, concerns about intellectual freedom have become more prevalent. Consequently, Congress is considering requirements for Internet filtering software as part of the telecommunications discounts (E-rate) program for libraries and schools. Earlier this year however, due to strong advocacy efforts by the Illinois library community, Illinois legislators rejected two bills that would have placed restraints on access to information.

An article in this issue of Illinois Libraries about libraries and the First Amendment is an important overview of intellectual freedom issues. I urge you to read this article carefully and consider how we, the Illinois library community, can continue our efforts to preserve our First Amendment rights while providing quality information access to the men, women and children of this state.

Sincerely, JESSE WHITE Secretary of State and State Librarian

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Preface

Kathleen L. Bloomberg

It is a privilege to have articles written by three Illinois State Library staff members included in this issue of Illinois Libraries. Judy Rake's article covers a nationwide literacy retreat held this year to address literacy issues. Since 1989, Judy has served as director of the Illinois State Library Literacy Office.

Earlier this summer, the State Library's Small Public Library Management Institute was held in Macomb. Beginning in 1994, the annual institute has provided important continuing education sessions as well as collaboration opportunities for the directors of small public libraries and branch libraries. Jeanne Urbanek, Program Development Specialist at the Illinois State Library, examines the impact that the institute has had on attendees in previous years.

When property tax caps were implemented in Illinois in 1991, there was immediate concern over the possible impact these tax caps would have on public libraries in Chicago's collar counties. Since then, tax caps have spread statewide. Margaret Collins, Recruitment and Public Library Programs Consultant at the Illinois State Library, reviews how the tax caps have impacted libraries in her article.

Other articles address additional topics of interest to the library community, such as the initial article by attorneys from Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins on the Open Meetings Act. Articles by members of the law firm have been featured since 1995.

As always, contributions to Illinois Libraries are welcomed. Please refer to the Illinois Libraries guidelines printed at the back of the issue.

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