The Thomas Ford Memorial Library Friends, Foundation and the Library Board will host an open house from 1-3 p.m. Sunday to honor retiring director Anne Kozak.
The reception, at the library at 800 Chestnut St., Western Springs, will mark the end of Kozak’s 30 years of service to Western Springs library patrons.
Kozak has been responsible for a staff of 25 people and an annual budget of $1.3 millions, but it’s not her leadership in the day-to-day operations that has defined her legacy, she said. It’s how she has grown the library’s services, and adapted to change over the years.
“The most obvious change is that the public library is much less print-based. Books are no longer our only medium,” Kozak said, noting the increase in CDs, DVDs and downloads. “The shift to digital has been very interesting. We continue to purchase and curate our digital materials based on our users’ interests and recommendations.”
While Kozak has been ultimately responsible for all library operations, she also has empowered her adult and youth services departments to plan and execute many of the programs and services that residents enjoy today.
“They are extremely creative and have a good sense of what appeals to our residents,” she said.
Kozak said 1996 was an important year for the library as it marked the end of a two-year renovation and construction project. The library was expanded from 8,700 square feet to 24,800 square feet. The project ensured that the library was made handicapped accessible, and also allowed the library the space needed to expand its collection and increase space for children’s, teen and adult programs.
As a result of the expansion, the library was also one of the first in the area to offer computers and Internet access to the public.
Kozak sees a bright future for people in her chosen field.
“The future of libraries is wondrous. Leading people to needed information, connecting them to authors and ideas, participating in the intellectual life of a community are all parts of library service that I believe will always be vital to people,” she said. “My niece just started earning her graduate degree in library science and I am certain she will have a gratifying career. My hope for her all new librarians, is that they find a job that they love as much as I did mine at Thomas Ford.”
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Plans for the future include a Hudson Valley road trip she has been planning to take with her husband. She is also looking forward to spending more time in her garden.
“I will continue to ignore closet and drawer straightening,” she said.
While she is ready for retirement, she will miss many things about her job.
“Without a doubt, the people, staff, library patrons, board members; these relationships are a gift that has delighted me,” she said.
Library Board President Amanda Smith said Kozak fostered a welcome and comfortable environment for library patrons.
“Her genuine smile, love for our patrons and dedication to our mission will be greatly missed, but she leaves behind a legacy of commitment, which will continue to benefit our community for many years,” Smith said.
The Library Board has hired Ted Bodewes to fill Kozak’s position. He is transitioning into the role and will take over next month.
For more information about the open house, visit http://fordlibrary.org or call 708-246-0520.