10 Years at the Plainfield Public Library!

This month marks my ten year anniversary as the Library Director at the Plainfield Public Library. That ten years have held some of my biggest professional challenges and opportunities. When I interviewed for the job in late summer of 2000, the official population of the library district was tallied at 18,882. Today, it's 66,139! During my tenure, the Library has grown to one of the busiest in our area with over 3/4 of a million items circulated last year. Though the expansion referendum failed, the need continues to grow.

While this Library may be a challenge in terms of funding and space, I am honored to work with all of the individuals who care about this Library and community. The fantastic staff meet the needs of the community to the best of their ability every day. The Board of Trustees set the policies, budgets and goals while being mindful to act as good stewards of the taxpayers' dollars. The Friends of the Library and Library Foundation volunteer their time and energy in support of the good work the Library does. There are too many others who dedicate themselves to serving our community to list here, but I am grateful for each of them.

Thank you, Plainfield, for ten amazing years! I can't wait to see what the next ten will bring.

Gwendolyn B. Krahn Memorial Garden Dedication

Thank you to all of our friends and colleagues who came out on Saturday morning to honor the memory of Library Trustee Gwen Krahn. We dedicated the new memorial garden, in front of the Original Library.



A butterfly fluttered through during the proceedings and alighted on one of the bushes for the remainder of the ceremony. Outreach Assistant and Master Gardener Judi Deszcz noted that she designed the garden to attract butterflies. In the future, we may add a bench or seat wall to create a true reading garden in memory of Gwen Krahn, who served as a Trustee for 31 years and many of those as Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee.

I miss you, Gwen!

Terry Cottrell Appointed to the Library Board

I am pleased to announce that at the March 17 regular Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees appointed Terry Cottrell to serve until April 2011. Terry was sworn in at the same meeting. As the Director of the University of St. Francis Library and active member of the library profession, Terry brings a unique perspective as both a librarian and a resident.

Over the past week, the Board Development Committee interviewed four candidates for the vacant Trustee position, left by resignation of Rick Martin. In appointing a Trustees, those already on the Board have an opportunity to determine the character of the Board for a set amount of time that they do not have during a regular election. Choosing among the four excellent candidates, the Committee deliberated over the best fit for the Board today. They unanimously agreed to recommend Terry Cottrell to the full Board for the appointment.

Trustee Applications Due March 1

March 1st is the deadline to apply for the vacant position on the Plainfield Public Library District’s Board of Trustees. This fun, exciting (unpaid) public service opportunity gives you a chance to help the library serve the community. The Board of Trustees meets regularly on the third Wednesday of each month. Additional meetings are set as needed.

Authorized by state law to fill a vacancy by appointment until the next regularly-scheduled Trustee election, the Library Board seeks applicants for the position to fill the unexpired term until April 2011. Applicants may be interviewed by the Board Development Committee in March.

Any US citizen, 18 or over and residing in the Plainfield Public Library District, may apply. Interested parties are asked to submit a letter of application and a resume of any pertinent experience and interests.

You can mail it to us at Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees, 15025 S. Illinois Street, Plainfield, IL 60544 or email it to me directly.

Trustee Rick Martin Resigns, Board Seeks Applicants

Richard Martin tendered his resignation for his position as Trustee at a special meeting of the Library’s Board of Trustees on January 11. Martin will no longer reside in the district after January, making him ineligible to serve the rest of his term. He indicated in his letter of resignation that he will be taking a one-year contract in China to teach English to Chinese students. The resignation was officially accepted by the Board of Trustees and a vacancy declared at the regular meeting January 20, per the Bylaws of the Board. The Library Trustees and staff wish him well as he embarks on his new adventure!

The Library Board is seeking applicants for the position of Trustee to fill the unexpired term until April 2011. Any US citizen, 18 or over and residing in the Plainfield Public Library District, may apply. Interested parties are asked to submit a letter of application and a resume of any pertinent experience and interests. Please send to: Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees, 15025 S. Illinois Street, Plainfield, IL 60544. For more information, please call or email me at the Library!

This is a great opportunity to "test drive" a Trustee position without the full four-year commitment of being elected.

Question of the Day: Why place this on the ballot now?

The Library's Board of Trustees really struggled with whether or not is was appropriate to place this referendum on the April 7, 2009 ballot.

They polled the community 3 times: July 2008, December 2008, and January 2009. Each poll of registered voters in the district showed over 60% support for placing this referendum on the April 2009 ballot. The December poll focused on likely voters and showed the highest level of support at 68%.

The comments from Library Trustees when they passed the ordinance to place this on the ballot had one common theme: Let the residents decide. The Library Board of Trustees, along with Library staff and representatives from other government entities and community groups, spend 2 1/2 years creating this plan. They believe it is a solid plan that balances community needs while being cost-conscious.

In the end, it is not the Library Trustees' decision. It is not the staff's decision. It is YOUR decision. It is up to you, the voters.

Need more information? Opportunities to ask questions?

The Board of Trustees and staff will be available to answer your questions about the referendum at an information table in the lower level elevator lobby of the Library at the following times:

6-8pm on Thursday, March 19
6-7:30pm on Tuesday, March 24
6-8:30pm on Wednesday, April 1
1-4pm on Saturday, April 4

Architectural renderings of the proposed expansion, downtown Library's exterior go on display Monday, February 23 and remain throughout the next six weeks. Informational brochures and bookmarks will be available at those displays and throughout the Library.

For a sneak preview of the drawings, check out the link on the right hand side of this page!

Informational presentations will also be made at the District 202 School Board meeting on Monday, February 23, the Kiwanis Club meeting on February 25, Central Elementary PTO on March 3, All Our Kids on March 4, MainStreet Plainfield Board on March 9, the Library Foundation Board on March 10, the Jaycees on March 10, the Plainfield Park District Board on March 11, and the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon March 18. More presentations may be scheduled.

On Saturday, March 28, the Library will also have a display and informational table at the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Expo.

I hope to see you at a presentation or information table and answer any questions you may have!