The LSSC is responsible for coordinating the details for the two conferences: ALA Annual Conference and Reaching Forward South. Documentation on LSSC’s role in facilitating staff involvement in these conferences can be found on Coordinating Conference(s) Procedures.
ALA
The American Library Association is made up of numerous committees, divisions, and roundtables. It is the main advocacy organization for libraries and the profession. The ALA Annual Conference is held in June or July. The ALA Annual Conference has programs designed for the continuing education and development of the fields of library service. Each year the Library supports scholarships so that two civil service staff members can attend the conference.
Recent recipients include:
2023 – Chicago IL
In Person scholarship recipients:
- Elisabeth Paulus
- Dirk Ton
- Sam Lechowicz
- Lisa Renee Kemplin
Exhibits only Recipient:
- Johna Von Behrens
2022 – Washington DC
- Dani Postula
- Johna Von Behrens
2021 – Chicago IL (virtual only)
- Jennifer Vargo Hauser
2020 – Chicago IL (Cancelled – rescheduled for 2021)
- Karen Huck
- Jennifer Vargo Hauser
2019 – Washington DC
- Brian Clark
- Madina Grace
2018-New Orleans
- Kristin Blankenship
- Angie Gruendl
2017-Chicago
- Lisa Renee Kemplin
- Tim Hayden
2016 – Orlando
- Elisandro Cabada
- Jianying Shou
2015 – San Francisco
- Erik Chapman
- Mike Donovan
2014 – Las Vegas
- Alex Bragg
- Julie Bumpus
2013 – Chicago
- Gennye Varvel
- Elisandro Cabada
2012 -Anaheim, CA
- Lisa Renee Kemplin
- Lesley Purnell
Reaching Forward South
The Reaching Forward South conference’s mission is to provide continuing education, professional growth, networking opportunities and social interaction for support staff of Illinois libraries. This conference is held every year.
On behalf of the Library Staff, LSSC would like to thank the Library Administration for their continued support of attendance to this conference.
2022 Attendees
- Lisa Kemplin
- Pam Ward
- Vanessa Biggers
- Archana George
- Hannah Williams
- Rachael Johns – caveat if non LSSC folks are interested to defer
- Jessica Denhart
- Matt Freund
- Kristen Blankenship -caveat if non LSSC folks are interested to defer
- Sarah Bial
- Nazanine Agassi
Note: No conferences were held in 2014-2016
2017 Attendees
- Margo Robinson
- Vanessa Biggers
- Sandra Holloway
- Pamela Ward
- Jessica LeCrone
- Kristen Zidon
- Shoshana Vegh-Gaynor
2013 Attendees
- LaVonda Dorsey
- Sandra Holloway
- Dani Postula
- Margo Robinson
- Elonda Towns
2012 Attendees
- Vanessa Biggers
- Wendy Gregory
- Sandra Holloway
- Kimberly Lerch
- Diane Pye
- Katherine Swan