Insight

              Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse
White’s slogan for his Project Next Generation
program is “It’s All About the Kids.” Though the
students are what the program is all about, the
program’s mentors are equally important, as they
are the backbone of the program.
Forty-four current and future PNG program
mentors from across the state gathered at the
Illinois State Library on Oct. 5 to discuss their
role in the success of the program in its first three
years, and what can be done to make mentors
even more effective in the future. State Library
Director Jean Wilkins welcomed the group, and
program directors and mentors from PNG
programs in Quincy, Champaign, Cahokia and
Bloomington led discussions on recruiting,
retaining, rewarding and disciplining students,
and planning projects, programs and field trips.
Both new mentors and those who have been
with the program from its infancy left the
conference energized and enthusiastic about the
future of their programs.
“This free-flowing exchange of information
inspired our mentors to develop new ideas and
set new goals to make their individual Project
Next Generation programs stronger,” said
Wilkins. “These caring mentors are making a
huge difference in the lives of our young
people.”
At each of the 25 PNG sites currently operating
at public libraries throughout the state, the library
director hires three to four mentors. One is
designated the “lead mentor” to lead the group
as they plan, adapt materials and develop
activities and projects for their students. With 10-
12 students at each site, each mentor is
responsible for about three junior-high age
students.
State Library personnel provide initial instruction
to mentors and keep in touch with them during
the program. Mentors receive training in
Windows and Microsoft Office Suite and using
basic computer hardware components. They also
must be able to troubleshoot software and
hardware problems. Mentors learn the specific
curriculum developed for the PNG program,
though each program has some flexibility in
adapting it to the individual needs of the
students. Most importantly, mentors motivate and
guide students in improving their life skills and
positively impact the students’ self-worth.
Additional Project Next Generation sites will be
announced in early 2003.
November/December
in
this
issue
Project Next
Generation mentors
“On the Front
Lines” committee
seeks input
Synergy II sign-up
ISLAC welcomes
new members
White awards Library
Training Grants
Project Next Generation mentors
spend a day at the State Library
2002
Jesse White • Secretary of State & State Librarian
A Newsletter from the Illinois State Library
INSIGHT
Matt Gullett, project coordinator of
the Bloomington PNG program,
shares ideas on project and program
development during the PNG mentor
conference at the Illinois State
Library in October.
Jared Bridgeman
has been a mentor
with the Quincy
Project Next
Generation program
since it began as
one of the pilot
PNG programs in
2000.