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Specials seeking Inspiration should look toward the Public Library.

In challenging times it's imporatant to maintain perspective.   Public libraries offer a model from which special librarians can draw inspiration.  Nancy Maloney outlines 8 ideas to contemplate in Recharging the Corporate Library.

Now isn't that just Special?

Librarians working in Illinois special libraries serve in organizations as varied as museums, corporations, law firms, hospitals, government agencies, associations, and other non-profits.

Staff size in special libraries can range anywhere from a solo librarian to large team-based staff. Library environments can vary from small, print-based collections in single offices to networked virtual collections for multiple international branch offices. No library looks the same, but all have the same mission - to use knowledge and information to reach the goals of their organizations.

 Overhead view of the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center Library, Champaign IL. The Library is a member of the Lincoln Trail Libraries System. 

Select Resources for the Special Librarian

Illinois Special Library Organizations:

• AAIP (Association of Independent Information Professionals)
• CAA (Chicago Area Archivists)
• CALL (Chicago Association of Law Librarians)
• CAML (Chicago Area Museum Libraries - contact Christine Giannoni)
• CASL (Chicago Area Solo Librarians)
• MLA Midwest (Midwest Chapter, Medical Library Association)
• MLA Midwest (Music Library Association, Midwest Chapter)
• SLA-IL (SLA Illinois)

Career/Jobs

• ILA Jobline (Sponsored by the Illinois Library Association and the Illinois Chapter of the Special Libraries Association.)
• SLA Career Services Online
• Job Power: Career Management Resources for Librarians (NOTE: SLA Member PIN required)

Special Library Blogs

• List of SLA related blogs
• Read more about blogging in Special libraries

Related Resources

• Special Library Association Blog Listing

  This list of SLA related blogs includes Solos Helping Solos, a Government Information Division blog, and Information Technology blog.

• SLA Illinois Calendar

  Event calendar for SLA Illinois

• SLA Events Calendar

  Find listed events throughout the United States such as workshops, speakers and professional development opportunities.

• Value of the Information Professional

  Short document from the Special Library Association describing the value of the Information Professional in the digital age.