February 17, 2010

Two librarians from the Barrington Area Library have been selected to join a pool of only 30 other librarians to participate in a new state initiative to work with and develop future library leaders. Liz Hubert and Carrie Straka will represent the Barrington Area Library in this year-long program officially titled “Synergy, The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative.”

Participants in Synergy will develop leadership skills to be applied to their local communities and shared on the state, national and global level. Nearly half of all current librarians in the nation will move towards retirement in the next ten years, and this program will prepare and build future library leaders. The group of 30 librarians will attend three seminars and work with their peers, experienced library leaders, and nationally recognized speakers over the next year as part of this program. Synergy is sponsored by the The Illinois State Library and the Illinois Library Association.

“I am excited that Liz and Carrie have been selected to participate in this important program,” said Barrington Area Library Executive Director Detlev Pansch. “Synergy participants will be exposed to new strategies and new ways of thinking about the future of libraries. Liz has been with the Barrington Area Library for several years and consistently develops up-to-date, technology-rich programs for Barrington patrons. Carrie is a new employee who has quickly let her light her shine in regards to her love of libraries, new technology, new media, and her excellent customer service.”

Both Liz Hubert and Carrie Straka are Adult Services Librarians at the Barrington Area Library. Hubert has been with the library for three years, while Straka is in her first year with the library. Hubert and Straka both received their Master’s in Library Science from Dominican University in River Forest.