December+2010+Newsletter

President’s Corner

November 2010

“Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” --Walter Cronkite

I heard that quotation this morning as I listened to Bob Edwards on National Public Radio. He devoted an hour to discussing library issues (!), and I was reminded again why I entered this noble profession way back in 1973.

I experienced those same emotions after attending the annual ISLMA conference and the HSLMA reception on October 29. Librarians are such interesting, knowledgeable people! I always feel that these meetings contribute to my professional growth and make me a better librarian.

That’s why I encourage all members to attend the December 4 meeting, “Keeping Up,” at Uplift Community High School, 900 W. Wilson, Chicago. Join Sara Tarpley of Gale, Cengage Learning, will be our presenter. Jeremy Dunn, the current President of ISLMA and Director of the Department of Libraries and Information Services, Chicago Public Schools, will also join us. Our hostess, Cynthia Armstrong, will take us on a tour of her library.

Veronica Price of Notre Dame College Prep, our new HSLMA Treasurer, will also attend the December meeting. We are grateful that we continue to attract top notch librarians to our HSLMA board who are willing to give their time and expertise to make our organization relevant and meaningful.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the excellent meeting at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School on Saturday, September 11. Ted Remus, our hose librarian, and Heather Vulpone and Patraicia Kozar of H&J Educational Resources, who sponsored the breakfast and book raffle, shared their enthusiasm and expertise.

Please note that our program calendar for the 2010/2011 academic year has now filled out. On Saturday, January 22, we will join with Gail bush and the editors of Booklist at National Louis University’s Skokie campus. HSLMA will meet with Gail from 10-12, and then we’ll gather from 1:00-2:30 to learn about the “best of the best” new teen books.

I have never attended the Booklist event, but everyone says it is of the highest quality. And it is always fun to talk about favorite books with colleagues.

We’re all juggling lots of balls as we go about our busy lives. I for one believe HSLMA is a ball that’s definitely worth keeping in the air!

Happy Holidays!

Molly Klowden