Peoria Public Library would like a word. From you.

Please help us with our strategic planning by taking our Community Survey -- open now through the end of April. 

Click on this link and take a few minutes to tell us how you use the library and how you would like to use it. We truly want to hear your thoughts.

First, please tell us about yourself. 

I grew up in Central Illinois, and am a graduate of Richwoods High School. Before I went to college, I trained at the English Nanny and Governess School in Chagrin Falls, OH and worked as a Certified Professional Nanny for year before pursuing my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I then continued to Dominican University to get my Master's Degree in Library and Information Science. I continued to work as a nanny and then governess while I was furthering my education. 

My combined interest in early childhood education and librarianship led to my first Librarian position as a part-time Children's Librarian at the Villa Park Public Library in the Chicago suburbs. Approximately a year later in March 2012, I accepted a Children's Librarian position at Lakeview Branch here at Peoria Public Library. I have been at PPL ever since and became the Lakeview Branch Manager about 14 months after moving back to Peoria in June of 2013. 

 As Peoria Public Library’s programming manager, you are in charge of one of the most important and celebrated things: Summer Reading!

Can you give us a glimpse into what to expect this summer at PPL?

Our theme for this summer is Level Up at Your Library which focuses on all things gaming related. We are bringing the gaming experience into the library in all sorts of different ways. Tabletop games, video games, role playing games, and more. Gaming is just another type of storytelling and encouraging people to enjoy stories is what libraries do best.

You’re very new to this role, but any other changes you envision to the library’s programming?

My personal focus for programs has always been to improve patron access to programs. I have and will continue to run programs for adults with disabilities at Lakeview Branch and my hope is that in my new role we can find more ways to increase accessibility to all of our programming. I would love to hear from our patrons about any barriers they have to accessing our programs so we can work together to eliminate those barriers.

Do you have a favorite PPL program?

Storytime! I will always be a Children's Librarian at heart and I love a busy, loud, and excited group of toddlers who are happy to be in the library. Getting feedback from parents that kids go home and play library and will act out the things I did in storytime will never cease to bring a smile to my face.

What inspired you to become a librarian?

My mother first inspired me to be library kid, she encouraged me to be a reader and made sure I had a library card. When I was in undergrad I met a Librarian who suggested that I pursue it as a career, and I was surprised I hadn't thought of it before. It seemed like such a natural fit and blended my love for books, storytelling, and early childhood education. I had always known teaching wasn't the right fit for me, I hadn't had the best experience in school, but the library was this third space, a safe space that a lot of people need. That made sense to me.

All locations of Peoria Public Library will be closed Sunday, April 20 for the Easter Holiday.