Our responsive and knowledgeable staff always strives to provide a high level of service and satisfaction. We are here to help you find the information you need and the services and resources you want. Need a recommendation? Can’t find something? Not sure how to download something? Ask us! That’s what we’re here for.
Click on photos to learn more about the individual.
Sue is charged by the Board of Trustees with providing leadership and strategic vision, and managing the Library according to professional standards. Her management responsibilities include developing and supervising the staff, planning for and monitoring all areas of the budget, maintaining the building, overseeing capital improvement projects, and coordinating with other libraries and agencies. She has a Masters of Library and Information Science from Dominican University. Sue joined RFPL in 2007 and has held several positions, including Manager of Children’s Services, Head of Strategic Services, and Assistant Director. It’s no surprise that Sue spends much of her out-of-work time with her nose in a book. She is especially drawn to character-driven fiction with quirky protagonists.
Joanna’s position oversees the operation of the Materials Services Department and manages the Library’s financial and human resource functions. She works with the Assistant Materials Services Manager to ensure smooth organization, processing, and cataloging of library materials. Additionally, Joanna supports the Library Director by providing analysis on key library analytics, budget reports, and human resources support. She has been with the Library since 2007 and has a Masters of Library and Information Science from Dominican University. Joanna prefers narrative non-fiction titles, particularly those that vividly blend character and story.
In addition to creating our tri-annual Bookplate newsletter, Fran is responsible for our in-house communications, signs, flyers, social media, e-newsletter and press releases. Fran attended the University of Virginia and earned a BA in Latin American Studies and Spanish before earning her MBA in Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining our RFPL team in 2013, Fran was Director of Marketing for a commercial real estate firm and a marketing consultant. Her favorite genre? Historical fiction.
Meghan joined the library in 2016 and was promoted to Adult Programming Librarian in May 2018. In this role, she coordinates the adult programs, makes home deliveries, manages mystery, large print, and nonfiction book orders, and anything else that might come up during the day! She enjoys all types of books but one of her favorite genres is non-fiction. Meghan has a BA in History and MLIS from Dominican University.
Dorothy enjoys suggesting books, audiobooks, and film titles to our patrons. She herself is a fan of mysteries, thrillers, family sagas, coming-of-age stories, and biographies of individuals who have overcome challenges. Dorothy is also a digital library guru! She is always ready to help patrons download eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music and more from our vast digital collection. Dorothy attended Cornell University before earning her Master of Library Services at the School of Information Library Science at Rutgers University. She has been with RFPL since 2005.
Beth manages and maintains the middle school and teen collections, plans and delivers an exciting selection of programs, and provides reader’s advisory and reference services to teens and middle schoolers. In addition, Beth maintains the Library’s website. A crafter extraordinaire and music lover, Beth shares these passions in many of her programs. Beth has a Music Education Degree from Alma College and received her MLIS from Dominican University. Her favorite genres are mystery and fantasy books.
Brittany joined the Library in May 2019. She received a BA in History from Northern Illinois University and then went on to Dominican University, where she received her MLIS degree. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys bike riding, collecting coins, reading, travel, and attending yoga classes. Her favorite genres are fantasy and history.
Maria joined the Library in July 2019. She’s a native Oak Parker and graduate of DePaul University where she received her BA in Theatre Management. She is curerntly a prospective grad student for Library and Information Science. She enjoys spending time with her husband and dog Oscar. She is currently teaching herself to cook and is always on the look out for new dairy free and vegetarian recipes! She loves a ability to connect the community.
Amy oversees the Children’s Services Department’s collections, programs, and staff. She has spent most of her life working with kids as a camp counselor, tutor, babysitter, and teacher before becoming a children’s librarian. At work, she likes to read silly stories out loud and try to make people laugh, and has been known to start spontaneous dance parties during library programs. Amy has a Masters of Library and Information Science from Dominican University and a B.S. in Education from Loyola University Chicago. Her favorite books feature smart kids who work together to solve problems. Prior to joining our team in February 2014, Amy worked at the Hinsdale Public Library. Some of Amy’s favorite authors include Mo Willems, Laura Numeroff, Eric Carle, John Green, and Jane Austen.
Melissa’s job is to help children and their families use the library. Much of her time is spent planning and presenting children’s library programs including Toddler Time and Pajama Story Time. She purchases juvenile non-fiction books and loves to help kids find books for their homework assignments. Melissa is also the Library’s elementary school liaison and many local students recognize her as the librarian “who came to my school!” Melissa has a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She loves to read children’s fantasy novels, particularly those about magical children learning to use their powers. When she finds time to read grown-up books, Melissa prefers memoirs and novels with LGBT protagonists.
Dannie joined the library in July 2019 as a Children’s Services Associate. She adores kids of all ages and particularly enjoys working with children under the age of 5. She attended Dominican University, where she earned both her BA and MLIS degrees. Dannie considers herself a story time guru and leads Mother Goose Cafe story times. She manages the picture book, board book, and leveled reader collections. Some of her favorite books include anything by Jan Thomas, Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beatty, and Llama Llama’s entire series by Anna Dewdney. When she’s not at the library, Dannie can be found hiking with her two dogs, Zoe and Tonks.
Emily joined the Youth Services team in January 2019. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing and is currently pursuing her MLIS online from San Jose State University. Emily is also a certified yoga instructor, and enjoys leading yoga programs for kids and adults at the library. Emily enjoys reading realistic fiction, YA, and true crime stories, and a few of her favorite authors are Rainbow Rowell, Toni Morrison, John Green, and Sally Rooney. She lives in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood with her rescue dog, Obie.
Victoria is responsible for managing circulation operations on a daily basis, handling magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and overseeing the use of the meeting room. Victoria has been with RFPL since 2006, when she started as a page, and held several positions after that. Victoria has a BA in Physical Education from DePaul and loves to exercise when she has spare time. Victoria’s favorite genres are psychological thrillers and post-apocalyptic books.
Lisa wears many hats at the Library. You will often see her at the circulation desk welcoming and helping patrons. In technical services, she is responsible for processing all of our new materials. Lisa’s efforts bring you the latest and greatest in books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks. In addition to enjoying classic films and musicals, Lisa likes reading books that champion the human spirit. Some of her favorites include The Book Thief, The Folded Earth, and Madame Bovary. She is also “:crazy in love” with Hamilton, both the music and the bestseller that is about the making of the musical.
Barb has been with the library since 2011 and is responsible for returning our library materials to the shelves. Her organizational skills help us to keep our shelves neat and tidy. Looking for a great movie recommendation? Ask Barb! She’s a movie buff.
Shekinah joined us in August 2017 and provides library services at the circulation desk. Shekinah is currently pursuing her MLIS at Dominican University, although she already holds a Masters in Communication. When she’s not working, studying or taking care of her family, Shekinah does enjoy YouTube videos about all kinds of topics ranging from food, fashion, travel, lifestyle, and the vlogs. She enjoys reading all kinds of books on different topics but is especially fond of science fiction. She is also very interested in metaphysical and spiritual topics. She loves that libraries provide everyone the opportunity to broaden perspectives and come together to share and learn.
Larissa joined the Library in February 2019 and assists patrons with obtaining library cards, checking out materials and learning more about library programs and services. She graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Communication and Media. Larissa loves to read (of course) and especially enjoys horror movies and comic books. Larissa also loves to cook and spends a lot of time looking at recipes, thinking about food, and cooking food.
Cathy joined the Library in April 2018. She brings her love of organization to her work by keeping library materials organized and neat. After having lived in Maryland, Colorado, Germany, Massachusetts, and California, she moved to River Forest 20 years ago. She has a background in marketing. In her free time, Cathy loves to spend time with her family, travel, paint, take photographs, garden, read and see live music.
Dawn joined us in October 2017 and is responsible for providing library services at the circulation desk. Her educational background is in graphic design, photography, architecture, and education. “Every day is a beautiful day, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!“ is Dawn’s mantra. She loves the outdoors; kayaking, skiing, biking, walking, gardening, all around exploring and people watching. “Libraries are ageless and serve the entire community,” are some of the many reasons she loves them. Dawn’s favorite genres include non-fiction and audiobooks, which inspired her family’s road trip book clubs.
Susie has worked at the Library for over 20 years and has been part of the River Forest community since 1977. She assists patrons with obtaining library cards, checking out materials and learning more about library programs and services. Her tenure and experience greatly enrich our staff and enhance our service to the community.
