News Briefs: Local libraries awarded thousands in grants; Park district bolsters lakefront staff; Metra and Pace free for students on Monday

Several North Shore libraries have been awarded funds as part of state grant programs, according to an announcement from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state librarian.

“Libraries throughout the state must have the resources and financial support they need to provide high-quality materials and programming to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said in a statement. “Libraries serve as centers for lifelong learning and are critical to providing opportunities for children and adults to enrich their lives.”

The Wilmette ($41,847), Winnetka-Northfield ($27,465) and Kenilworth ($3,734) library districts were awarded as part of the Public Library Per Capita program. Glenview ($72,326) and Evanston ($115,999) also won funds in the program.

The Public Library Per Capita grants, awarded annually, support local library services. The funds can be used for operational needs, including the purchase of materials and capital improvements to facilities, as well as for building new facilities.

Without a physical building, the Kenilworth library district shares resources with Winnetka-Northfield and Wilmette public libraries.

The Highland Park Public Library was gifted a $125,000 grant as part of the Public Library Construction program. The funds support the library’s Reimagine Your Library expansion project.

“The expansion, informed by needs assessment, strategic planning, and resident feedback, will provide expanded spaces, improved accessibility and enhanced services.” HPPL Executive Director Heidi Smith said in a statement, “including more space for archive collections, containing the 2022 Highland Park Shooting Collection, established with an Illinois State Library grant in 2023.” 

New lakefront and communications staffers added to park staff

The Wilmette Park District has announced the addition of three new staff members to the organization, according to the district website.

Lakefront Beach Supervisor Emin Jakupovic began working with the lakefront team in May and has experience with Wilmette’s lakefront, having worked there eight summers.

Conor McCormick, a Chicago native with experience in parks and conservation, has been hired as the district’s lakefront park supervisor. McCormick has held positions in a variety of areas, including animal care, veterinary science and research. He plans to look into a Leave No Trace Gold Standard designation and equip residents with outdoor skills.

JP McNamara is Wilmette Park District’s new marketing and communications manager. McNamara has experience in athletics, sports event organizing, and business and marketing. He is tasked with organizing the marketing and communications department and implementing new project management software.

The park district had operated without a communications manager for two years.

Students get free transit this Monday

School is in session and on Monday, Aug. 26, students across Chicagoland can take advantage of free rides on the CTA, Metra and Pace transit services.

This is the third straight year that Metra and Pace will be offering free student rides for a day, helping students set a positive note for the new school year.

All three transit services will be offering free rides to students in any public or private school — and an accompanying adult — from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 26.

The CTA also offers discounted fares for elementary and high school students throughout the school year.

For more information, visit the Metra website.

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