Frequently Asked Questions

Membership

What are the benefits to joining this group?

For Your Patrons


For Your Library


How much will it cost?

Our cost structure is based on the operating budget of each library. There are 6 tiers of payment. Members will have access to all programs offered during the season for a flat fee.


Will each member have a voice in deciding which presenters are chosen?

Yes, member library staff are always welcome to submit an idea! The Programming Committee plans the programs, but counts on input from member libraries to determine optimal events.

Can member libraries participate in ILP without helping to plan each program

Yes! Each member library will have access to marketing materials and the ability to include the event on your library calendar, etc. The committees will primarily be responsible for planning and delivery of the events, saving your library resources while still offering your community high-interest events.

Is the group open to specialized academic or school library types? 

Illinois Libraries Present is focused on virtual events for public libraries with plans to re-evaluate interest and opportunity across library types.

Who can I contact to get more information?

E-mail Illinois Libraries Present at illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page.

Virtual Events

What programs will you be offering?

Illinois Libraries Present aims to offer virtual programs featuring bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors, well-known presenters who speak on equity, diversity, and inclusion, and diverse speakers on timely and evergreen topics to meet broad interests.

How frequently will events be offered?

Season 4 membership includes 13 unique events between October 2024 and May 2025. This includes 3 youth or young adult programs and 2 pre-recorded at-home viewing opportunities.

Will events be primarily for an adult audience, or would they include teen and/or youth events?

A majority of ILP events are curated for an adult audience, with variety of topics. In addition, Season 4 includes 3 programs targeted to youth or young adult audiences.

Will the virtual events be recorded for participants who cannot attend live?

ILP will work to broaden access and accessibility to all communities through event recordings. However, recording of each event will depend on the terms of each speaker’s contract

How will library attendance be tracked?

Attendees will be asked at the time of registration from which library they heard about the event and actual number of attendees/viewers will be measured using polls. ILP's Data Dashboard will updated following each event and includes library-level statistics to use for IPLAR reporting. 


Broad event stats and participation numbers will also be shared by ILP to demonstrate our collective impact

Accessibility

What will accessibility supports for events look like, such as live transcripts and ASL translation?

ILP is committed to maximize accessibility in our virtual events offered. Closed Captioning will be offered with every event and live ASL interpreters will be added to select events for the most inclusive experience. Event promotional materials will include accessibility information and other event materials (slides, introductions) will stress our commitment to accessibility. 

The Event Production Committee and Programming Committee will coordinate additional accessibility supports upon request.

Will bilingual and/or cultural programming be included in the event options?

The Programming Committee will curate the slate of events, which can include bilingual and/or cultural programming. We look forward to learning from you what bilingual events would benefit your communities.

Marketing

Will all members have access to the same materials for marketing and promotion?

Yes, members will be asked to use the suites of promotional materials created by Illinois Libraries Present's Marketing Committee rather than create their own. We aim for attractive, consistent promotion that celebrates our collaboration and meets the specifications laid out by speakers.

How much advance notice would we have to be able to decide to participate, and then promote?

Our long-term goal is to plan events 6-12 months in advance and provide program information to member libraries at least 4 months in advance of each event. Member libraries may participate in every event, or may opt out if the content, timing or event date do not work for your library.

When each new season is announced, any deadlines to participate will be included.

Committees

Are you looking for additional members for committees?

Applications are now open for Event Production and Data/Numbers committees, and we seek broad representation of all library types on every committee. APPLY HERE to join us.

What is Illinois Libraries Present doing to ensure the voices on ILP committee represent and include BIPOC library staff? Regional diversity from across the state?

Illinois Libraries Present is committed to creating a governance team with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind. This commitment means having committee representation from libraries of different sizes, budgets, service areas, and geographical areas, as well as from library staff who bring different skills, experiences, and perspectives to the core planning team. The committee interest form asks for library staff interested in committee work to indicate whether they represent any historically, intentionally, and/or traditionally marginalized people groups. It also asks for library location and library budget, as well as general experience with program development.

Will the committees seek alternative funding or partnerships?

Yes. The Steering Committee is actively seeking grants and may pursue sponsorship(s) to help reduce event and operational costs in the future. Additionally, the Programming Committee will build relationships with independent booksellers to offer book sales when possible.