Take a look back at some moments that made 2025 so memorable at the library.
“(The library is) one of the reasons we bought a house here. We explore libraries every place we go and this one—mind you, I have over a half-century of library-loving bookwormishness under my belt—may be the most welcoming, best appointed, and most gorgeous version I've ever had the good fortune of living near.” —Google review
A Community of Readers
We can't keep our love of books to ourselves! Our staff published many new blogs and lists, including our popular annual Staff Picks, and Breezy, Hot, and Cool Reads lists for youth and teens. We also launched a new web series on YouTube called Whatcha Reading? featuring staff members in conversation about what they've recently read, are currently reading, and are planning to read.
We gathered in our shared love of reading all year long through events including Celebrate Día: Children's Day/Book Day, reading parties, storytimes, school visits, and more. During the school year, our bookmobile made stops at early childhood centers and visited with 955 young learners.
2,400 people participated in this year's summer reading program and 87% of the participants completed the program, earning a t-shirt or tote bag. More than 1,300 prize books were given away to participants, and another 200 books were given to classrooms at participating early childhood centers. Community members shared their thoughts all season long on a special column of clipboards.
At locations and events around the community, our book bike team gave away 1,300 books withdrawn from the library collection, while interacting with over 2,000 people between May and October. We were especially happy to meet people at the Village of Skokie flu shot clinics and the Niles Township Food Pantry.
Our Advisory Services team was recognized by the Illinois Library Association as the 2025 recipient of the Readers' Advisory Service Award for their excellence in the planning, development, and delivery of services.
“Going through a trying time in my life, coming to your Studio and being among people in a creative, energetic atmosphere truly helped me day by day. (The) Library is one of those positive, supportive environments where all people are happy...as all are equal and aspiring to something higher within themselves and together.” —Patron comment card
A Community of Learners
To support an informed electorate in preparation for the 2025 spring consolidated election, we hosted numerous events, including three well-attended local candidate forums in collaboration with the League of Women Voters. We also celebrated local history with the opening of the Skokie Millennium Time Capsule and offered nostalgic trivia and movies from the year 2000.
We updated our website to make it more accessible and easier to find what you're looking for, including resource pages for different interests, and several new information guides on various topics including health, legal, and finance. We also added new online resources, including Auto Repair Source and Transparent Language Online, and we made it simpler to browse our Library of Things.
The library was host to hundreds of events for all ages. Square dancing, improv, global tea flavors, bookmaking, Bollywood dancing, birding, and calligraphy were just a few of the new hobbies and skills patrons were able to try out. Craft Club, Rainbow Family Club, Cat Club and other recurring events gave patrons with shared interests an opportunity to gather and connect.
Some of the spaces in our Kids Room were reenvisioned based on community feedback. The BOOMbox became a dedicated space for tweens in grade 3-6 to gather and engage independently through creating, volunteering, gaming, and other activities that build connections with their peers, the library, and the community. During out-of-school hours, the Activity Room now hosts materials supporting literacy and other activities for kids in grades K-2.
The Studio was home to two makers in residence this year: Julie Oh in March, and Brittany Bouyer in November. Both led events during their month-long residencies, worked on their own art practice while in the space, and each offered patrons the opportunity to collaborate on a piece, resulting in a community quilt and a collective embroidery work. Patrons expressed their appreciation for having an expert to consult in their own creative projects.
“I absolutely love Skokie Public Library. It is a warm, active, and exciting place. The staff are so helpful and informative and the programs are enriching to all patrons. It is definitely the best! It is a harmonious community of people who love being there. Thank you for serving us so beautifully.” —Patron email
A Community of Connections
We brought Skokie teens together through service opportunities, including gathering every other Sunday to work on craft projects benefiting local organizations. Teen volunteers also helped distribute free lunches to more than 1,000 children through the library's partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. We supported teen mental health through Asking for a Friend, a monthly event offered to teens in grades 8-12 through a collaboration with Turning Point Behavioral Health, and made possible by grants from the Skokie Community Foundation and the Education Foundation. The Turning Point Mobile Living Room van also made biweekly visits to the library, offering free mental health services to anyone at our west entrance.
Third Space Thursdays brought adults together to socialize while trying something new in a low-key environment with snacks and simple activities including embroidery and "Bad Art Night." One young couple even attended on a date! We also made connections through the second season of our monthly podcast, Your Family, Your Library, which features wide-ranging conversations with community guests including Oakton College Naturalist Amanda Krause, library Executive Director Richard Kong, and Niles Township Supervisor Bonnie Kahn Ognisanti.
As a catalyst to become a more inclusive community and workplace, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We hosted 93 events throughout the year centering people with disabilities, which were attended by more than 1,600 people. We also expanded our Early Entry accessibility events to include adults and access to more spaces like the Studio. The library was honored to be named Community Partner of the Year by JCFS, recognizing our longstanding partnership to offer meaningful work experiences for therapeutic education students, citizenship interview preparation for immigrants, workshops for job seekers, teen initiatives, and book discussions for people with disabilities.
The Skokie Yearbook Project began in May as a year-long program designed to offer playful hands-on activities that explore who we are as members of a community. Hundreds of people created stamped portraits as part of summer events in the library and throughout Skokie. These were featured in an exhibit at the library in the fall and winter. We also offered ways to explore connections through zine-making, interactive reflection prompts like "How Does it Feel to be Seen?," mini thumbprint portraits with expressive emotions, and more.
To better reflect the diverse identities and experiences of the community we serve, the library undertook an initiative to evaluate our permanent art collection and acquire new works by contemporary working artists. Six pieces were selected and installed, with an official unveiling reception in July that welcomed several of the artists. We invite everyone to take some time to see the new artwork at the library, learn more about the artists, and engage in conversation about what the art evokes for you.
“Thank you for ensuring that this is a beautiful, peaceful, and safe place to come when the outside world is so chaotic.” —Patron comment card
Thank You!
Skokie Public Library staff and volunteers
Board of Trustees
- Michelle Julaton Mallari, President
- Alisa Ungar-Sargon, Vice President
- Mary Pietrucha, Secretary
- Voula Colburn
- Leah Glickman
- Amanda Lichtenstein
- Ella Whitehead
Management Team
- Executive Director, Richard Kong
- Deputy Director, Laura McGrath
- Director of Access Services, Annabelle Mortensen
- Director of Community Engagement, Nancy Kim Phillips
- Director of Public Services, Amy Koester
- Building Services Manager, Vinny Tangherlini
- Communications and Multimedia Engagement Manager, Jane Hanna
- IT Manager, Mark Kadzie
- Learning Experiences Manager, Amy Holcomb
- Safety Manager, Thalma Brooms
- Teen Services Manager, Laurel Dooley
- Youth Services Manager, Sophie Kenney
Credits:
Skokie Public Library Staff Photographer