“Together Again” was the theme of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library’s Volunteer Recognition Celebration and Concert, which honored the library’s more than 450 volunteers who contributed more than 19,000 hours of service in 2022. After a three-year hiatus, this year the celebration returned in-person in the library’s Hendrickson Room.
“As I began to reflect on this year’s theme, I asked myself ‘What things go together?’ Peanut butter and jelly, of course. Macaroni and cheese, yum! And most importantly, volunteers and the library,” said Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Begich to the large gathering of volunteers on Tuesday, April 18.
The afternoon served as a reminder and celebration of how volunteers assist in nearly all aspects of the library.
“You assist students with English, technology or Makerplace skills; connect people with their family history; ensure our customers have access to materials at the library, at the Senior Center, or delivered to their homes; sort endless boxes of donated books to raise funds to support the library; or work behind-the-scenes so the library operates seamlessly,” Begich said.
Executive Director Mike Driskell and Library Board President Greg Zyck followed Begich with their own thanks and appreciation.
“You are a valued part of our team. Whether you volunteer weekly or occasionally throughout the year, your efforts complement and support the work of staff, and allow the library to connect with and expand its services to the community,” Driskell said. “You truly make a difference, and on behalf of all my colleagues and staff here at the library, we thank you for your dedication and service.”
The celebration then took a noteworthy turn with a live musical performance from the Big Sky Ensemble, which played American Roots music to everyone’s enjoyment.
Overall, 13 volunteers received special recognition for achieving Hours of Service milestones from 500 hours to 10,500 hours. Years of service were also recognized and spanned from three years to 35 years of service.
The top honors of the day went to Carol Rech and Jeff Primus. Primus was named Newcomer of the Year, a one-time award that recognizes the individual who began volunteering in the previous year and gave the greatest number of hours to the library.
Rech was named Volunteer of the Year. This one-time award is given to the volunteer who has contributed the greatest number of hours during the previous year but has not previously received the award. She earned Volunteer of the Year for contributing 636 hours of service in 2022 by working in the library's Collection Services department and with the Friends of the Library.
“I think with anything, we don’t always think about all the work that goes on behind the scenes. When you come to the library and you see all those books on shelves or all those computers or now the Library of Things, you just come in and check out what you want. You don’t realize how many steps it’s taken for those things to end up on those shelves, or how many people it takes to make it all work together smoothly. That there’s a real community that goes on,” Rech said in a separate interview. “The sense of community you get volunteering with an organization or a group just can't be beat. It's a good thing.”