Call for Proposals and Save the Date! NILRC 2026 Conference

Theme: Experience First: Design for Access, Prepare for Anything

Location: Allerton Park & Retreat Center, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, Illinois 61856

Save the Date: October 1-2, 2026

The NILRC Conference at Allerton Park is a small conference (30-40 attendees) run by community college members for community college members, with sessions focusing on promoting information sharing and learning through discussion. What makes this conference different:

·       It’s affordable- only one night’s stay in a beautiful historic mansion

·       It’s short- sessions start at noon on Thursday and end at noon on Friday

·       Meals and snacks are included!

Keep an eye out for registration and scholarship information coming soon!

This year’s sessions will focus on the patron experience and how we prioritize it in our libraries. Have you had to adapt to a change in funding, staffing, location, or laws that challenged the way you put your patrons first? Hot topics this year may include, but are not limited to, accessibility compliance, continuity/contingency planning, disaster planning, budget changes, and more. This is an excellent opportunity to share your experiences with and ask questions of your peers.

We need you! Do you have an idea for a panel, discussion, or presentation? Options are available for both 45- and 15-minute sessions. Find out more and complete the Request for Proposals (https://forms.gle/uDg879G2XbCA8EZc8) by Wednesday, May 20.

Questions? Contact Conference Planning Committee Chair Cat Broady at broadyc@bhc.edu.

NILRC Conference Scholarships Available!

Have you always wanted to attend the NILRC Conference? Well now is your chance!

The NILRC Board is offering 3 scholarships to attend the 2025 Annual Conference. This year’s conference will take place October 2-3 at Allerton Park & Retreat Center in Monticello, IL. The theme is “The Evolving Library: Transforming Spaces to Meet Changing Needs.”

(to the NILRC community): These scholarships are open to anyone at a member institution who has never attended the NILRC conference before. Please share with anyone interested at your institution!

(to the LIS Student Community): Are you a Library and Information Science Student in Illinois who is interested in pursuing Community College Librarianship? We’d like to have you join us! We have designated one of the scholarships for an LIS student. This is an amazing opportunity to attend a conference, network with library professionals, and learn more about the issues and hot topics affecting the field.

The scholarship will cover the full cost of registration, which includes all meals and snacks (lunch and dinner on Thursday, and breakfast on Friday), a single room, and use of the facilities.

Applicants will be notified before the end of Early Bird Registration (July 31) if they have been awarded a scholarship. If more than three applications are received, preference will be given to applicants from different institutions so that more colleges can participate.

To apply for a scholarship to attend the conference, complete this form by Wednesday, July 23.

Link to scholarship application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeISpdAWqsCplWl_s5npmsGMdOpb1-LTQiPxt0k9Qkcx_zZAg/viewform?usp=header

If you have any questions, please contact Cat Broady at broadyc@bhc.edu.

NILRC Announces FY26-FY30 Strategic Plan

NILRC is pleased to announce the release of its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030. Building upon existing foundations, the plan features key updates, including enhanced advocacy efforts and reinforced guiding principles. Strategic Goal 3 has been revised to emphasize member advocacy skills development. The plan is the result of months of work by the Strategic Planning Task Force, chaired by Sam Suber (Moraine Valley Community College), and includes contributions from Frances Whaley, Guillermo Gasca, Amy Pinc, Terra Jacobson, Karissa Anderson, and Melissa Merlos. The full plan is available to read or download.

Circulation Interest Group

Join us as we launch our Circulation Interest Group!  The Circulation Interest Group will serve as a space for library professionals working in areas of circulation to come together to discuss best practices, find support through challenges, and develop innovative ways to explore emerging trends.  Your participation will help to build a better sense of community and provide a place to turn to when presented with new ideas or problems.  

We will develop a list of topics we’d like to explore throughout the year and finalize the rest of the 2025 bi-monthly schedule at our kickoff meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

Have any questions?  You can contact the group facilitator, Becky Goode, at rgoode@waubonsee.edu.