For 11 years, Library Journal's Movers & Shakers list has been spotlighting librarians and others in the library field who are doing extraordinary work to serve their users and to move libraries and library services forward. This year, Digital Services Manager Richard Kong made the list as one of the tech leaders of 2012.

 

Read about his technology innovations, including launching the Studio, our new digital media lab.

 

Congratulations to Richard!

Wednesday, January 18, marked the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of the village of Arlington Heights, and the library played a key role in the village's celebration festivities.

 

Thanks to the efforts of Local History and Genealogy Librarian Michael Mulholland and IT Manager Mike Driskell, an antiqued facsimile of the incorporation papers was displayed at the event. The two library staff members traveled to the Cook County archives in Chicago to scan the incorporation document which was then printed on paper that looks like parchment.

 

Pictured above at the celebration are Executive Director Paula Moore, Michael Mulholland, Mayor

 

The library was voted the 2011 Business of the Year by the members of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce at their annual installation and recognition dinner. Celebrating the honor were, front row, Brian Shepard, Mike Driskell, Shannon Scanlan, and Diane Accurso. Back row, Jennifer Nitch, trustee G. Victor Johnson, Deb Whisler, trustee David Unumb, former trustee Jim Bertucci.

"We're honored to receive this award from the business community. We value our opportunity to partner with them," says Deb Whisler, Director of Communications and Marketing.

Whisler was also an honoree. She received the 2011 President's Award from outgoing president

In the coming year, we will begin work on a building project that will help us be even more responsive to our residents’ needs. Many of the changes will revolve around helping residents use the technology that is becoming increasingly essential in school, business, and at home.

“Every day, we’re helping residents with their phones, eBook readers, and social media,” said Ming Heraty, Welcome Desk Manager. According to the Pew Research Center 35% of adults in the U.S. own a smartphone as of July 2011, up from 21% just 18 months earlier. Circulation of eBooks at the library has increased

We're 4 for 4! For the fourth consecutive year, the library has received a five-star rating in Library Journal's national rating of public libraries, the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2011. Five stars is the highest rating that a library can receive. Only 85 libraries across the country received this rating which is based on the annual number of library visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use. Thanks for making us a 5-star library!

On Monday, August 15, long time library volunteer Joe Cesario was awarded the fourth annual Dr. Kenneth Hood Award by Village President Arlene Mulder at the Village Board Meeting. This special award is given by the Village's Senior Citizens Commission.

 

After retiring from a long career at First National Bank of Chicago where he developed computer applications and networks, Joe turned to teaching computer classes for seniors and tutoring unemployed people seeking computer skills for work. For the past 11 years he has contributed over 3000 hours as a volunteer for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, significantly impacting the

On Friday, July 29, Farm Bureau members from Cook and Kendall counties toured the library with State Representative David Harris as part of the Farm Bureau's Adopt-A-Legislator program.

 

Farmers from rural areas are matched with city and suburban legislators and visit their districts to learn about the important issues for cities and suburbs. Legislators like Representative Harris then visit the rural districts for farm tours to learn about the issues facing farmers.

 

In addition to the library, the tour also included Village Hall, the downtown business area, Tuscan Market, Metropolis and the Backstretch at Arlington Park. According to

The library's Flinstone mobile with Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty and members of the Royal Order of Water Buffalos won first place for creativity (non-commercial category) in the July 4 parade. This is the fifth year that we can claim this distinction thanks to the talents of Information Technology Manager Mike Driskell and his family and friends who built the float.

 

Also participating in the parade was the bookmobile along with a group of our junior library volunteers, staff members and Trustee G. Victor Johnson. Our thanks to the Friends of the Library once again for generously funding the float

AHML's Job Seekers Program received the "Outstanding Service Award for 2010-2011" from Rotary District 6440 Governor Bruce Baumberger. The Library has received vocational grants totaling $8000 from the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights in the past 18 months to fund the Job Seekers program series at the Library. Accepting the award is Arlington Heights Rotarian Deb Whisler, the Library's Director of Communications & Marketing, who was also recognized with a "Distinguished Rotarian Award" for 2010-11.

On Sunday, May 1, recently retired Library Trustee Dick Frisbie was the guest of honor at a party sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Friends members, library staff and trustees, and village mayor, trustees and manager joined Frisbie family members and friends to celebrate Dick's historic 44-year tenure on the Board of Library Trustees.

 

A highlight of the event was Dick Frisbie's remarks which we share with you in this YouTube video filmed by his granddaughter, Nora Malone. Library Director Paula Moore and Paul Frisbie, Dick's son, also spoke.