A few weeks ago our Library and community experienced a great loss. Mary Jo Johnston, the person who has been responsible for many of our Library's impressive programs unexpectedly passed away. She was an avid reader, a Library trustee, a former President of the Friends of the Library, as well as the Program Chair for our Friends group the past two years.

It was hard, if not impossible, to say "no" to Mary, as many major authors such as Stuart Dybeck, Lois Lowry, Richard Peck, and Elizabeth Berg discovered. In a recent email, Pulitzer Prize Nominated author, Luis Urrea, described Mary as being a "great light." How true. We miss her. And truthfully things are indeed a little cloudy here at our Library.

No one can possibly fill her shoes, but we need to move forward. The Library staff and the Friends of the Library are committed to keeping her light burning brightly by continuing her efforts to bring the best programs possible, and to have the best library possible for the people of Kankakee.

Cindy Fuerst
Library Director