The Park Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees presented its annual Library Award to two individuals for their dedication to the Library. Makerspace Associate Grace Swedberg and Teen Volunteer Ace Steele will received the award at the Trustees’ meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, April 15.
In her nomination, Library patron Sheryl Skewronski said, “Grace welcomes everyone into the Studio with a smile and an abundance of patience. She is very knowledgeable about every project offered, and finds a solution if a problem arises.” Skewronski added that the pride Grace takes in her work “always makes me want to [sign up to] do another project [in The Studio].”
In her role as makerspace associate in The Studio, Swedberg is known among patrons as a patient teacher who goes above and beyond to make class projects special, like her recent effort to collect donated and thrifted china and glass dishes that allowed class participants to create outdoor flower displays for their yards, a cost-effective curation of materials that resulted in a painting project that attendees took home to display in their own gardens.
Youth Services Librarian Emily Fardoux nominated Volunteer Ace Steele.
“Whether it’s assisting in the Teen Loft or with a program, catching a typo or display that needs restocking, or simply offering a welcoming smile to everyone around them, Ace is a shining example of what it means to be a positive and morale-boosting force within the Library,” Fardoux wrote in her nomination. “Their presence in the Library goes far beyond just being a regular visitor. Ace has a knack for identifying opportunities to improve processes, and their problem-solving skills have proven invaluable in ensuring that library activities are both enjoyable and successful. One standout example of Ace’s contributions was during December’s Weird and Wacky Soda Tasting event, where they took on a key role in helping execute the event.”
Fardoux added that Steele has become a trusted and respected teen, providing feedback and ideas when asked as well as a reliable source of assistance. They volunteered in the Teen Loft this past summer, helping keep the space tidy as well as preparing Take & Create kits.a Fardoux added that Steele was instrumental in the launch of Youth Services librarians’ now-monthly visits to Maine South High School’s library.
