Executive Library Director
Started my library career at the Antioch Public Library District as a Page in 1998 and worked here through 2004 as a Children’s Assistant, Young Adult Assistant and Substitute.
Received my Master’s in Library and Information Science from Dominican University in January 2005.
Worked as Head of Children’s Services at Fox River Grove Memorial Library, Baraboo Public Library,
Warren-Newport Public Library and Crystal Lake Public Library, as well as Youth Program Coordinator at the Barrington Area Library and Assistant Head of Popular Materials/Teen Librarian at the Ela Area Public Library.
In your own words
This is my dream job. I grew up in Antioch, the youngest of 9 children (now 10, but that’s a different story), and with so many kids, we didn’t have a lot of money, but the Library made me feel rich. My Mom took me to the Library every week and I would check out two big bags of books at a time, go home and lay them out on the kitchen table, decide which order to read them in, and then jump right in.
It might surprise you to know
I am the fifth Director in our Library’s 102 years. Started as a project by the Antioch Woman’s Club in 1922, our Library has always been led by woman. One of my favorite areas to research is the incredible stories of the women who came before me: Mary Stanley, Betty Lu Williams, Marian Harden and Kathy LaBuda.
Favorite memory about the community
Going to the beach in Felter’s subdivision every summer day of my childhood. Growing up, I didn’t know how lucky I was to have such direct access to nature. My Mom still lives in the house I grew up in and I have the great fortune of being able to revisit my childhood anytime. Our house is set against a backdrop of wetlands and woods and just a short walk to Lake Catherine. Swimming, boating and just being outside was such a major part of my life. Only later in life have I realized that most people only get to do those things on vacation. How lucky I am to call Antioch home!
Education/occupation
Proud graduate of AUGS, ACHS and CLC. Bachelor’s in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago and Master’s of Library and Information Sciences from Dominican University in River Forest.
Favorite sports teams
Green Bay Packers (okay, honestly, I mostly love Lambeau Field for the interactive museum, enormous gift shop & delicious restaurants—plus, the players make a point of visiting schools and libraries to read to children).
Favorite free-time activity
Playing Ticket to Ride with my husband Joe, hanging out with Sunny, our little yellow Quaker parrot, and spending time with my 33 nieces and nephews, the most exceptionally intelligent, kind and creative people I know.
Favorite food
Tomatoes, mushrooms and chocolate chip cookies.
Favorite movie
Dirty Dancing (took a trip to where it was filmed, where my wonderful husband indulged me with dance lessons, trivia & tours).
Favorite Quote/inspirational message
“Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” – Leonard Cohen
Greatest lesson you’ve learned
My Auntie Moe (my Dad’s sister & Mom’s best friend) taught me the importance of seeing the best in everyone, to fully enjoy family and friends, and to treat life as a great adventure, where every outing whether far or near is like a vacation.
Favorite memory as an APLD patron
Visiting the Children’s Department as a little girl and sitting in a secret little spot tucked between the developmental game cabinets next to a window where I could see people coming and going from the Library’s front doors along Main Street. My office today is just steps away from my favorite childhood spot in the Library.
Favorite collection or space
Anything and everything scary. Horror movies and books about the supernatural. My favorite areas of the nonfiction section are 398.2 (folk & fairy tales) and 811 (poetry).
Library goals upcoming you most look forward to
Now that the renovation & expansion of the physical building is complete, I’m excited to devote greater attention to our digital presence. Our Assistant Director of Operations, Jennifer Norris, is coordinating efforts with the IT, Marketing & Communications and Technical Services departments to ensure our website, catalog, databases, digital materials and social media are all just as welcoming and accessible as our physical space.
What are people most surprised by when they tour the new library
The Workshop and The Studio! I love giving people tours of the Library and jaws consistently drop when people see The Workshop and The Studio for the first time. From laser engraving, to 3-D printing, to podcast recording, it’s so much fun to expand the traditional image of the Library as being only about books, to being a shared resource in limitless ways.
Favorite patron comment
“The library is so beautiful! I haven’t been in for a while, but it is in my heart. The library has been good to me. It’s hard to be a female in the outside world. Here, I feel like a human being.”
