Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian, is widely regarded for his commitment to improving the lives of youth in Illinois.

In order to continue these efforts, Secretary White implemented a revolutionary new mentoring program in various public libraries in Illinois. This program, known as Next Generation, was initiated in 2000 to encourage students to become technology-savvy by providing the opportunity for hands-on experience with the latest technology tools.

The goal of Next Generation is to bridge the digital divide by making recent technologies accessible to students who have limited access to computers. At the same time, the program strives to provide a safe and friendly environment filled with positive role models. The mentors involved with the program foster the development of their students by helping them gain technical knowledge necessary for future educational and professional success and to develop self-confidence and pride. This program has been extremely successful and continues to move into new areas of the state each year, so remember to keep checking this web site for updates on the latest developments.