Lake Forest Library
360 E Deerpath Rd
Lake Forest IL 60045
847.234.0636
LakeForestLibrary.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joy Schmoll
Head of Communications
847.810.4622
jschmoll@lakeforestlibrary.org
Lake Forest Library hires new Teen Librarian
January 21, 2019 – LAKE FOREST Ill – Lake Forest Library hired Emily (Emmy) Neal as the new Teen Librarian responsible for increasing services and programs for young adults in grades 5–12. Neal began working part-time at the Library last fall as she concurrently completed her K–12 teaching certification, and came onboard full-time in December 2018.
The Library is holding an informal meet-and-greet with Neal in the Library Foyer on Thursday, March 7, 4:00–5:30 pm. Neal looks forward to hearing the community's ideas for tween and teen materials, programs, and services.
The Library created the new Teen Librarian position to meet the specific needs of young adults, who are transitioning out of the Children's Library. Neal is scheduled to work at both the Children's Circulation and Adult Reference Desks to help young adults in whichever department they visit. As the Teen Librarian, Neal will focus on providing resources and services to promote personal growth and education to patrons in middle school and high school, including reader's advisory, coding classes, and drop-in programming.
"The Library should be a place where teens can come for help, acceptance, and ongoing learning. Having a Teen Librarian on staff gives teens their own person to connect with at a time in their lives when relating to others may be challenging. We are excited that we found the right person in Emily Neal to fill this important role. She will focus on creating services for teens, as well as making those connections with them," explained Catherine Lemmer, Lake Forest Library Director. "Emily will be integral to discovering what excites our teens so that the Library can support the development of their interests and abilities."
Neal comes to this new position from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she received her Master of Library and Information Science degree and K–12 teaching certification. While there, she worked at the Undergraduate Library, facilitating library instruction and designing programming to help transition students into their college career. Prior to her work in academic libraries, Neal graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor's degree in English, German, and Classical Studies. Neal is a Lake Forest native and Lake Forest High School graduate, where she worked as a library aide. She is also a familiar face at Lake Forest Library, having worked as a shelver from 2007 to 2012 and a circulation clerk in the Children's Library from May 2014 to August 2016.
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