Meet Our Staff!

Staff members with expertise in early literacy, child development, and children's literature are always available to help you find just the right book, program, or information.

Heather, Manager

Miss Heather grew up in Kansas, the Land of Oz. She was even in a tornado once! She likes to read almost anywhere, but the strangest place she ever read a book was on a plow at her grandparents' farm. Heather likes to garden, play with her kids, sing, go to the movies, tell stories, and cook. Her favorite food is chocolate and the best part about being a librarian is the free books!

Alison, Assistant

Miss Alison grew up in Indiana and attended Indiana University in Bloomington. While growing up, reading and spending time at the library were two of her favorite activities. Her favorite books growing up were Nancy Drew, Cam Jansen, and anything by Beverly Cleary. Today, Miss Alison is studying to become a librarian. When she is not studying, she is spending time with her fiancé and two dogs. Some of her favorite activities (other than reading, of course) are videogames, knitting, baking, and spending time with wonderful kids like the ones that visit the Oak Park Public Library.

Andy, Librarian

Mr. Andy is originally from Indiana, which is why he'll ask questions like, "Hoosier favorite author?" Some of his favorites are Beverly Cleary, Nancy Farmer, Terry Pratchett, Jonathan Stroud, and Megan Whalen Turner. Besides reading, he loves playing Ultimate Frisbee, partly because he can get really dirty and no one will yell at him about it. Other things Mr. Andy can do: sing loudly, juggle, eat lots of pizza, speak un poquito de español, and laugh at bad jokes. Things Mr. Andy can NOT do: color within the lines, keep his mouth shut for long periods of time, fly (his arms get too tired), or play any musical instruments. He is very fond of pets that have four legs and bark or purr or eat bananas.

Anne, Assistant

Miss Anne grew up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin near Lake Michigan. Growing up, her favorite books were about friendship with characters Frog & Toad and Henry & Mudge. When Anne would babysit, she made sure to bring lots of fun bedtime stories. Anne graduated from Loyola University in Chicago and loves living in a BIG city. When she isn't studying to be a librarian, she spends her time reading books about amazing places to visit. Anne enjoys talking about travel and has many stories to tell. Just ask her about living in Italy or her encounter with a mamma bear and her three cubs in Alaska. Yikes!

Jen, Librarian

Miss Jen grew up in Sterling Heights, MI, at the bottom of the thumb in the "Michigan Mitten." Now she lives in Chicago with her husband and their cat, TJ. She loves books about history and adventure, which is why the Percy Jackson books are among her favorites. Miss Jen loves to read, practice yoga, cook, and she's learning to crochet—it's harder than it looks! Her dream house would be a castle with a giant library, squishy reading chairs, and her very own guard-dragon.

Jennifer, Librarian

Miss Jennifer was born in Oak Park and grew up in South Bend, Indiana. She came back to Chicago to go to college many moons ago. When she was little she loved to ride her bike to the Francis Branch library to read Betsy-Tacy and All-of-a-Kind Family books. Her other favorite books were Little Fur Family by Margaret Wise Brown, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, Who Needs Donuts by Mark Alan Stamaty, the Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald, and anything and everything by E.L. Konigsburg. When she is not reading she likes to spend time with her kids Freya and Theo. Her favorite color is green, and her favorite food is bibimbop.  She has a freckle in her left eye. If you want to learn to dance the cha-cha, just ask her--she would love to teach you!

Jenny, Associate

Miss Jenny grew up right here in Oak Park. She attended Holmes Elementary, OPRF, and Northern Illinois University. Miss Jenny has a younger sister and two younger brothers, so that makes her the oldest! After graduating from college she spent six months on a kibbutz in Israel. It was a great experience; there were people there from all over the world. A mini United Nations! Her favorite books as a child were the Little House books, the All-of-a-Kind Family books, and anything about King Arthur. Her favorite hobbies are photography, bike riding, and lately taking cooking lessons. If she weren't working at the Library she would want to help her friend Spongebob at the Krusty Krab.

Rory, Assistant Manager

Ms. Rory grew up on farms in downstate Illinois. She has lots of sisters and brothers, but could always find quiet to read in a soybean field! Her favorite books were the Nancy Drew, Little House and Encyclopedia Brown series. Her favorite colors have always been orange and gold because those are the colors of lions--RAWR! Ms. Rory now lives in a crowded condo with her little siblings, her partner Mike, and her three little “lions”: Dave, Moses, and Rocket. She is the only librarian in the world who doesn't like chocolate--her favorite treat is taffy. Her special talent is saying the alphabet backwards really fast. She thinks she has the best job because of kids like YOU.

Shelley, Librarian

Miss Shelley grew up in Chicago and Western Springs. She's always been the one walking around with her nose in a book! Her favorite books growing up were Anne of Green Gables, Harry Potter, everything by E.L. Konigsburg and the American Girl books. She has even collected most of the historical dolls. These days, she still enjoys historical fiction, plus graphic novels like Amelia Rules. When she's not reading, Miss Shelley is usually writing stories or knitting. She loves to hear what kids are reading, so stop by and let her know what you like, too.