RPLS Lighting the Fire

What is Lighting the Fire?
How can I be involved with Lighting the Fire?
The Lighting the Fire Mission Statement
Lighting the Fire Grants
Lighting the Fire Picture Album

  What is Lighting the Fire?

Lighting the Fire began as a two-day retreat sponsored by the Illinois State Library for selected members of each of the twelve Library Systems.  Six members made up the RPLS delegation:  Amanda Standerfer, RPLS Staff; Stephanie Edwards, Weldon Public Library District; Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District; Libby Letterly, Williamsville High School; Joan Rhoades, Vespasian Warner Public Library, Clinton; and Ryan Roberts, Lincoln Land Community College.  This group participated in activities that will encourage librarians to change the way they think and create. 

In turn, the group will have an opportunity to work with RPLS Staff and library members to develop creative thinking in our System. To support these activities, each System was awarded $60,000.  Of this award, $10,000 is to be used to support system-centered meetings modeled after the original Lighting the Fire Summit as well as sessions created for member librarians.  The other $50,000 of the award will be used for Lighting the Fire grants to be awarded during the summer of 2001 from RPLS directly to member libraries for the development of creative, innovative grants.

  How can I be involved with Lighting the Fire?

RPLS will hold two Lighting the Fire training sessions.  The first will be on March 21, 2001 at Rock Springs State Park in Decatur.  Invited guests will learn about Lighting the Fire and how to spread the fire throughout their libraries and the system. 

The second Lighting the Fire training will be on April 4, 2001 at Rock Springs Conservation Area and is open to any library staff member within RPLS.  Both sessions will focus on how to think creatively, how to be a change agent, and how to make your library and the Library System viable in the future.  To register for the April 4, 2001 training session, contact Angela Thompson at RPLS at:  angelat@rpls.ws or (217)429-2586. The registration deadline for the April 4th Training is Friday, March 30th!!

A staff member from your library must attend one of the two Lighting the Fire training sessions in order to be eligible for the Lighting the Fire grants.

  The Lighting the Fire Mission Statement

Lighting the Fire will free librarians of the Rolling Prairie Library System to connect with their internal creative sparks or learn through compelling experiences how to start the fires that feed exponential growth on both personal and professional levels.  Lighting the Fire will provide opportunities for understanding the models of change and the role of change agents, how to create change in a safe environment and how to implement this methodology in the life after the Fire. 

Our mission is to provide a structure and process that will facilitate the development of innovative library services in Illinois.  We recognize that all parties – i.e. the Illinois State Library, Library Systems, and library staff – have a role to play in building this creative environment.

To achieve this, the following must happen:

  • All parties will think more creatively about library services.
  • Library staff will be able to translate creative ideas into implementable projects.
  • The Illinois State Library will offer grants within the context of a vision for future library services in Illinois.
  • The Illinois State Library will provide RFPs that foster creative projects.
  • Library staff will write coherent, innovative proposals.
  • A proposal review process will be in place that encourages and accepts creative ideas and allows reviewers to see the possibilities in innovation.
By attending Lighting the Fire:
  • I will not be limited by conservative thinking.
  • I will view the exercises as a new way to have fun and a new way to learn.
  • I will impose no limits on what is possible (retreating back to the same old thing is not acceptable).
  • I promise to participate with enthusiasm, willingness, and with the spirit of fun and adventure.
RPLS is currently gathering information about the future of services and relationships with libraries in the following areas:
  • Communication
  • Education
  • Leadership
  • Technology
  • Marketing
  • DRA/Library Automation
After both Lighting the Fire sessions, RPLS staff will gather at a Staff Retreat to gather information from staff.  Shortly after all information is gathered and analyzed, a Lighting the Fire Report will be developed.  This Report will be posted on the RPLS Web page in May 2001.  After this report is issued, RPLS will call for grants from member libraries that somehow embody the spirit of the Lighting the Fire Report.  RPLS has $50,000 to award in grant monies to local libraries to help them implement innovative and creative programs in their libraries and to serve as models for the rest of the membership.  Grant proposals will be due early in June, with grants being awarded by June 30.  Items from the Lighting the Fire Report will then be merged with the RPLS Long-Range Plan.

The Lighting the Fire Grants
 
Caudill Project - Sherman Public Library & Williamsville High School
Celebrate Your Birthday - Rochester Public Library
Coalition of Macon County Libraries - Warrensburg Public Library, Argenta-Oreana Public Library, Illiopolis Public Library, South Macon Public Library, Maroa Public Library, Blue Mound Public Library, Mt. Zion Public Library, Cerro Gordo Public Library, Forsyth Public Library & Decatur Public Library.
Costume Project - Weldon Public Library, Mt. Zion Public Library, Pana Public Library, Herrick Township Library, Lovington Public Library, Warrensburgs Public Library, Maroa Public Library, Elkhart Public Library & Taylorville Schools.
Database Training - Shelbyville High School
Lighting the Home Fires - Millikin University
Lincoln Area Librarians - Lincoln Public Library, Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln College & Lincoln High School.
Paving the Road - Illinois Curriculum Center
Read to Dream, Dream to Read - Clinton Public Library
Sangamon & Menard County School Librarian's Network
Ticket to Ride - Lincoln Library & Springfield Schools
XLMan - Shelbyville Public Library
 
 
 

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