Congratulations to Our 2026 Directors University Graduates!

The tenth annual Directors University took place from August 10–13 in Bloomington-Normal. The three-day event helps prepare Illinois public library directors for their new executive roles. Congratulations to the participants!

Anna Allison, Oglesby Public Library District 
Kevin Babb, Wallace Township Library 
Gabrielle Betzer, Milledgeville Public Library 
Jon Mark Bolthouse, North Suburban Library District 
Patrick Callaghan, Westchester Public Library 
Elsworth Carman, Oak Park Public Library 
Cheryl Cordell, Mount Hope Funks Grove Public Library 
Becky Duncan, Erie Public Library District 
Amy Edgar, Dunlap Public Library District 
Lauren Heck, Galva Public Library District 
Krista Katzen, Oswego Public Library District 
Kit Layman, Clover Public Library District 
Ginny Lister, Barry Public Library 
Renee Martinez, Grant Park Public Library 
Heather Meador, Mount Carroll District Library 
Colleen Melone, Lincolnwood Public Library District 
Stacy Merry, Henderson County Public Library District 
Keri Perkins, Edward Chipman Public Library 
Anne Rasmussen, Vernon Area Public Library District 
Jeffrey Ray, Morton Grove Public Library 
Rosalie Reints, Kirkland Public Library 
Katie Rider, Odell Public Library 
Tel Sisco, Danvers Township Library 
Alie Stansbury, Johnsburg Public Library 
Cassidy Steinke, Limestone Township Library District 
Sherry Thomas, Sun River Terrace Public Library 
Dr. Crystal Williams, William Leonard Public Library 

Directors University (DU) Core is a joint project of the Illinois Heartland Library System, Illinois Library Association, Illinois State Library, and Reaching Across Illinois Library System.