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Remember Elaine, the beautiful art installation created by artist HOTTEA for the library's atrium? HOTTEA used almost 1,700 pieces of colored yarn for that project, and as we came closer to the time when the work would be deinstalled, many of us at the library had a question: what could we do with all that yarn? We pride ourselves on being resourceful and creative, so it just didn't seem right to simply throw away the pieces of yarn that had brought our community so much joy.
Graphic Artist Lynn Van Dorn and Public Information Manager Karen McBride harvested every piece of yarn and rolled them up into skeins and then...a hard-working team of library staff members took the yarn home and made the magic happen. In the photograph, left to right: Material Services Manager Sharon McDonald, Material Services Associate Sharon Krasel, Adult Services Librarian Liz Kirchhoff, Adult Services Assistant Librarian Corinne Groble, Customer Service Senior Associate Laura Morici, Adult Services Librarian Kate Mills, Customer Service Associate Lucy Down, Interim Executive Director Vicki Rakowski. Seated in front: Scarecrow, Graphic Artist Lynn Van Dorn. Not pictured: Adult Services Assistant Librarian Ivy Dally, Customer Services Senior Associate Nalini Jayaraman.
 | Lynn had conceived of a way to use crocheted and knitted pieces to wrap the library's benches and tree trunks. Since there was so much yarn, the team's creativity expanded to covering some of the library sculptures, too - Customer Services Senior Associate Laura Morici made a cozy hat and wrap for our reading mother and child statue! Look around and you'll find colorful yarn in other surprising places here at the library. We hope this dazzling display of homemade handiwork makes you smile and brightens your day when you visit us. You may not know that Elaine was named in memory of the mother of a library staff person. We're pleased to call our new art work Dorian, to remember and honor Dorian Stoesser, our co-worker and friend of 17 years, who passed away suddenly a few months ago. |
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Thank you for your patience as we implement this important update. You'll notice that the online catalog has been redesigned to be responsive to your device/screen size.
The Barrington Area Library will be closed to the public from Thursday, October 19, 2017, through Monday, October 23, 2017. The parking lot and outdoor book return will be closed as well. Construction work to address an urgent safety need will be taking place on the library entrance driveway and sidewalks. The scope of the work, the use of heavy equipment, and the inavailability of sidewalks will make the premises unsafe for library customers.
Library services will be available via phone, e-mail, and online chat during the following hours:
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday from 9 AM to 5 PM,
• Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Locker delivery and materials pick-up will also take place during the closure, although no items will be due on the closing dates. Of course, digital library services will be available via the website and online catalog, as always. Library programs scheduled for that time will be moved to other locations, cancelled, or rescheduled: check the online events calendar for details. Please monitor our website or social media accounts for more details as we get closer to the construction dates. Also, please be advised that the time frame for the project may shift, due to weather conditions. We apologize for any inconvenience, but it is of critical importance that this project be completed before winter weather arrives.
 The Barrington Area Library's Executive Director Detlev Pansch will retire on September 30, 2017, after more than nine years of leadership. |
At its regular meeting on Monday, September 11, 2017, the Barrington Area Library’s Board of Trustees gathered with core staff to honor Executive Director Detlev Pansch, who will retire on September 30, 2017, after more than nine years of leadership. “Working at the Barrington Area Library has been the highlight of my career. It has been an honor working with a supportive board and talented staff to bring the Barrington area community the best possible library services,” said Pansch. Pansch is the second Executive Director to serve since the forming of the Barrington Public Library District in 1970. A resolution honoring Pansch’s service, and granting him permanent cardholder and library member status, was passed at the meeting. In the resolution, the Board acknowledged his careful stewardship of the library’s operating budget, his innovative and thoughtful approach to library services, and his common practice of offering a kind word in acknowledgement of employees who had successfully accomplished important goals for the library. Board President Don Minner remarked, "Detlev has proven himself to be a visionary and passionate leader whose guidance has helped our talented staff to transform the Barrington Area Library into one of the most admired libraries in Illinois and the nation." Pansch guided the two-year library renovation and revitalization project, resulting in a renewed space that is welcoming, state-of-the-art, and aesthetically beautiful. The Barrington Area Library was one of six libraries featured in the Illinois Library Association magazine’s 2015 annual issue on new library buildings. Other innovations under Pansch’s leadership include a wide variety of digital download and streaming services available to cardholders; the addition of digital studios, a MakerLab, and technology-enhanced meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces; a reinvigorated commitment to exceptional customer service and community outreach; the creation of the library’s distinctive and instantly recognizable brand; and a focus on the arts and creativity in library programming. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Minner said, "While we will sorely miss his innovative ideas and extensive community involvement and contributions, we wish Detlev all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.” The Board has retained the services of Bradbury Miller Associates in a nationwide search for a new Executive Director. The Library has appointed Head of Operations Vicki Rakowski to serve as acting Interim Director from the time of Pansch’s retirement until a new Executive Director is in place, which is expected to be prior to the end of the year. |