Woman Sees Decades of Work Pay Off With Opening of the New Library

The evolution of Bolingbrook from bedroom community to a formidable Chicago suburb should be eternally linked to the efforts of many devoted citizens like Karen Anderson.

Last weekend, as the new Fountaindale Public Library was christened, Anderson watched from the sidelines while beaming with pride at the momentous accomplishment.

Anderson, a retired library director, was part of a small group of supporters that championed the need for the new facility as far back as 2004.

But Anderson’s link to the library goes back much further—it reaches to the past and extends more than three decades.

And it all began with a cursory stop to the library in 1978 when Anderson was helping her family get settled in after her husband’s job relocation brought them to town.

Anxious to find information about the village, Anderson’s first foray into the community seemed natural. She would begin her information search at Fountaindale Public Library.

"Moving posed no real challenge because I’m the product of a military family that lived all over the world," she said. "Growing up I learned from my mother the importance of educating myself about the community and all it had to offer in order to successfully overcome the logistics of moving to a new area.

"I had the extra challenge of keeping a 9-year-old and a 3-year-old occupied. The library served as the most logical choice," she said.

Anderson said a job listing for a secretary clerk at the library caught her eye and out of curiosity, completed the application. 

"I hadn’t given it much thought and while I was reading to my children, a staff member asked if I wouldn’t mind interviewing with the (former director) Alex Todd," Anderson said.

A week later, a representative from the library drove up to Anderson’s new home as the movers were unloading with an offer of employment.

Elated to have a job, Anderson who held a bachelor’s degree in English, also knew she would not be content to languish in a clerk’s position. She understood that elevating her employment status would require additional education.

So Anderson enrolled as a part-time student in the Masters of Library Science program at Northern Illinois University. Over the next five years, she juggled home, family, school and full time career.

The payoff was immediate and came in the form of a huge promotion to the second highest ranking position in the library—deputy director. Anderson later ascended to the library’s top spot, serving as director for many years.

"I have been blessed to be able to work with and call Karen friend," said Ruth Newell, a current member of the library's board of trustees. "We’ve known each other for 24 years and I have never known a more compassionate and nice person."

Anderson said her mother taught her by example that it was important to find a way to contribute and be a part of a given community—regardless of the length of stay.

As Anderson’s tenure in Bolingbrook deepened, so did her commitment to support local organizations. Over the years she has served on the board of directors of the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, been a member of the local branch of the American Association of University Women and has been involved with the philanthropic activities of the Bolingbrook Rotary Club.

Marti Barton, another original member of the library citizen’s committee formed in 2004, said Anderson is a tremendous asset to the community and the library.

"Karen is someone you can count on to do what she say’s she will," Barton said. "She’s not afraid to go that extra mile to get the job done."

Although soft spoken, Anderson’s accomplishments and willingness to share her depth of knowledge has earned Anderson the right to claim a space in Bolingbrook history as one of the village's most unsung heroes.