[ISLMA-Share] Honoring Kip

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Dear ISLMA-Share users

Anyone who has cared about what happens to libraries in Illinois in
the past couple of decades has occasion to thank Kip Kolkmeier,
longtime legislative consultant for the Illinois Library Association.
Kip’s presence and relationships in Springfield have kept libraries
from getting lost in the shuffle, and made dozens of friends for
libraries in the Illinois General Assembly. His approach has always
been that if we can make legislators understand the value of
libraries, they’ll see that it’s in their best interests to support
our cause.

One of his signature successes has been to help legislators see the
value of local control for most library issues, including mandated
filtering.  This issue is very near and dear to school libraries.
With his hard work, guidance, and dedication, the Illinois library
community successfully defeated eighteen legislative attempts for
statewide mandatory filters.

The time has come to honor Kip for his outstanding service on behalf
of libraries, and this nomination comes at a wonderful time, as Kip is
moving into a new role, serving as general counsel for ILA, while
continuing to be our primary source for strategy and advocacy in
Springfield. ILA has brought Kip’s name forward as an Illinois Library
Luminary honoree for those who have made a significant contribution to
Illinois libraries. This honor is kept confidential until it is
formerly announced—so don’t mention it to Kip!

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to Illinois Library
Association, 33 W. Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Chicago, IL 60654. Checks
should be made out to ILA, designated to support Kip Kolkmeier. Online
donations can made at https://www.ila.org/donate/submit.

I wholly support honoring Kip with this award.  He has done so much
for all library types in Illinois, including school libraries!

Becky Robinson

ISLMA Executive Secretary
P.O. Box 1326
Galesburg, IL  61402
309-341-1099
brobinson15 at gmail.com