Synergists Speak Out @ ILA

The Synergists Speak Out panel presentation was just as Pat Norris promised; it was a “totally Synergy” experience. Members of each of the past six Synergy classes and a mentor informally responded to questions on topics such as the value of community outreach and balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

Panelists were: Diana Brawley Sussman (2002) Director, Southern Illinois Talking Book Center, Shawnee Library System; Pattie Piotrowski (2003) Assistant Dean for Public Services, Paul Galvin Library, Illinois Institute of Technology; Jane Ehrenhart (2004) Supervisor, Reference & Technical Services, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; Catherine J. Yanikowski (2005) Librarian, Bishop McNamara High School; Terry Cottrell (2006) Library Director, University of St. Francis; and Brenda McGlohon (2002 and Mentor 2006, 2007) Assistant Commissioner, Chicago Public Library.

After the panel discussion, program participants broke into small groups and discussed issues that matter to them and what they have done or can do to affect these issues. Reflecting the audience and Synergy participation as a whole, my small group had participants from all types of libraries and all levels of staff, from directors to line staff.

As with my Synergy experience, I came away with new thinking. Panelists reframed questions and presented fresh, alternative ways of looking at issues I have been considering for some time. I hope that the folks at the State Library and ILA will offer this panel again and I encourage former Synergists to attend. You're sure to walk away with a new idea, a new contact, a new perspective...just like your Synergy sessions!

- Melissa Henderson, Synergy 2006

Synergy Revisted - ILA

I just wanted to thank Mary Adamowski, Bryan Blank and Jennifer Groth for setting up Synergy Revisited. It was great to meet Synergists from other years and reconnect with Synergists from my own year (2006). It was a fabulous time! I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

If you would like to help with the next Synergy event, please leave a comment or contact one of the Event committee members.

K. Kenney

Synergists Speak Out Program at ILA

Please Come!!! Please Participate!!!! Join Our Synergy!!!!

If you are attending the upcoming ILA Conference in Springfield, please mark your calendars to attend "Synergists Speak Out: Making A Difference in Your Library, Profession, and Community." The program will be held on Wednesday, October 10th, 9:00 - 10:30 am in Room B-1, Prairie Capital Convention Center. A stellar panel representing the first five years of Synergy: Diana Brawley Sussman (Year 1), Pattie Piotrowski (Year 2), Jane Ehrenhart (Year 3), Catherine Yanikoski (Year 4), Terry Cottrell (Year 5), and Brenda McGlohon (Year 1 and Mentor two years) will speak.

This program will be interactive, yes, INTERACTIVE! And we need you to help make the "synergy" strong! Come to represent your Synergy year and to meet up with your Synergy colleagues! We will be discussing the importance of getting involved, leading, following, and balancing leadership with personal lives.....and much, much more.

Bring your colleagues who might be interested in applying to attend future Synergy sessions! Bring emerging leaders who need a nudge to become more involved!

Don't forget to wear your Synergy pin during the ILA Conference, and be sure to pick up a red Synergy ribbon at the Registration Desk to attach to your conference name badge.

Please call/e-mail Pat Norris (or any of the panelists as well) if you have any questions about this program. We all hope to see you at this program and at the ILA Conference.

Synergy Illinois Committee Members

We've been getting some great feedback from Synergists and Mentors alike about Synergy Illinois and I just want to mention the committee members from Synergy year 2006 who have worked hard to make it all come about.

The Events Committee includes Jennifer Groth, Brian Blank and Mary Adamowski
The Membership Committee includes Sara McCambridge, Kristine Kenney, Loretta Broomfield, Kate Hall, Dawn Cassady, Merideth Willett, Scott Pointon and Tina Carter.
The Newsletter Committee includes Kate Hall, Melissa Henderson and Kristine Kenney
The Planning Committee includes Melissa Henderson, Kristine Kenney and Terry Cottrell

Synergy Meetup in DC

Monday, June 25 at 7 PM at Dukem Restaurant.

It's located on 12th and U Street NW, next to the Cordoza U Street metro station. It's a couple of miles from the convention center, so it's just a short cab or metro ride away.

According to the Chowhound message boards, Dukem is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in DC, and it should be able to accomodate our group easily! Here's a link to the Dukem web site:
http://www.dukemrestaurant.com/index2.html
If you've never had Ethiopian food before, you are in for a treat.

Please see your ISL-All-Synergy mailing list for RSVP information.

2007 Synergy Class Announced

Congratulations to the librarians who have been selected to participate in the 2007 class of Synergy:
Ely M. Anderson, Library of Rush University Leslie M. Bednar, Lewis & Clark Library System Stephanie M. Bonjack, VanderCook College of Music, Ruppel Library Christine M. Cahill, Carrie Busey Elementary School, Champaign Jane W. Candela, Packer Engineering, Inc. Lauren Collen, Niles Public Library District Amber Creger, Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Branch James A. DiDonato, Round Lake Area Public Library District R. Toby Greenwalt, Westmont Public Library Jacob Hill, Elmhurst College, A. C. Buehler Library Katharine James, Illinois State University, Milner Library Gary W. Jones, Southeastern Illinois College Pamela Kloser, Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch Jannette La Roche, Moline Public Library Portia Latalladi, Chicago Public Library, Garfield Ridge Branch Nancy R. Maloney, BP America, Inc. Halle Mikyska, Kane County Law Library Rob Morrison, University Library-Chicago Campus, National-Louis UnivGeoffrey W. Morse, Northwestern University Library Karolyn Ann Nance, Fremont Public Library District Lisa Y. Pappas, Plainfield Public Library District Lisa Poignant, Chillicothe Public Library District Maria Pontillas, Glenview Public Library Blaine Redemer, Illinois State Library Melissa (Missy) Roser, DePaul University, John T. Richardson Library Lisa Sarm, Lincoln Public Library, Springfield Molly Scanlan, Benton Public Library DistrictBrian Shepard, Arlington Heights Memorial LibraryHeidi Richter Smith, Waukegan Public LibraryBryan Vogh, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region