Library Director, Nichole Lauko, and Library Trustee, Heather Erwin, met with other library leaders and legislators to talk about libraries at the Illinois Library Association's Legislative Meetups.
This was a great opportunity to speak with State Representative Kevin Schmidt about the challenges we face at our Millstadt Library.
Representative Schmidt spoke about how much he enjoys libraries and was suprised to see libraries, like Mascoutah, earn grants for a 3-D printer. We were left to inform him that we could apply for those grants as well, but unfortunately, we don't have the space for it and the supplies needed to operate one. This led to our conversation about the need for more space for resources for our community and just some of the things libraries have available to everyone.
Representative Schmidt could not have said it better than when he stated that libraries have something relevant for everyone and when we lift the literacy for some, we lift the literacy for all. Increased literacy leads to better education, better jobs, and ultimately, less taxing burdens.
On a State-Wide level, there is a need for licensed educators in school libraries and a desperate need for e-books to become more affordable for libraries. In fact, did you know that an e-book that might cost $10-$20 for a person to purchase and have for life can cost $200 or more and is only good for so many uses until it has to be purchased again by libraries? Millstadt Library and its' consortiuum, Illinois Heartland Library System and SHARE, struggle to purchase as many e-resources as we should be able to. Hopefully, headway can be made this year and it will ultimately lead to more e-resources for all.
On a Nation-Wide level, our goal is always to #fundlibraries. The more money that comes to libraries, the more resources that become available to our communities.
Remember, to have more in our libraries, we need more voices. Help advocate for libraries and your Millstadt Library by talking to others about what your library does for you.
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Thank you to @illibraryassociation for hosting such a great event!
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