Creativity can pop up in the most unexpected of places – just ask Arlington Heights resident Tim Perek.
“I was looking for a place to work, and I found this space,” said Perek, pointing to his surroundings in the library’s Studio. One of the many features of the Studio includes access to Adobe Creative Suite – a valuable tool and resource for Perek who recently launched a marketing consulting business, Illuminator Labs. Yet it was another piece of Studio equipment that eventually caught his eye.
“I see these drums, and it was kind of embarrassing at first,” Perek recalled with a laugh. “But I started playing and discovered I got this thing inside me.” Perek soon found himself downloading the Drummer tutorial on Garageband and mapping out his schedule to include time to practice on the electric drum kit in the Studio.
“It’s one thing to have a dream. It’s another thing to carry it out,” said Perek. “Who would have ever thought I’d be a drummer.”
Perek, who grew up playing the piano and guitar, now ranks drumming as his top musical passion. So much so, he bought a set of drums for home and plays daily. As a 33-year-resident of Arlington Heights, Perek says he is amazed and grateful for all that he’s rediscovered at his local library.
“This place is much bigger than just information,” Perek said. “The library allows someone to investigate and learn about something before they invest in it. You can try it out first under the guidance of an incredible staff and team of experts,” he added. “For me it’s been the perfect launch pad and place for reinvention.”