Our Youth Services Supervisor, Camille Rose, was the winner of this year's Golden Ticket Award. The award is given by the Illinois Library Association and recognizes "her outstanding local contribution in library services to young people in her community by creating and implementing library programs that promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries." In the twenty years that I have been working in public libraries, I have never seen anything that matches the creative energy and enthusiasm of Camille - she is just phenomenal.

Camille was recognized in Springfield during the recent Illinois Library Association Conference, and then locally at a recent City Council meeting. I attended both, and while the event is Springfield was very nice, the event in Kankakee was truly exceptional. Staff, board members, Friends of the Library, and library patrons attended the meeting. A group of about twenty children from the Library began the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Our Assistant Director, Steve, presented a wonderful media program featuring photos of youth services events, played to "A Kind of Magic" by Queen. Camille received a standing ovation. The Mayor read a proclamation which was unanimously approved by City Council. The Mayor and Aldermen made several positive heartfelt comments about Camille, the youth in our community, the entire Library staff, and the importance of education and our Library.

Our Evening Supervisor and Project Next Generation Coordinator, Roland Johnson, really summed it up best. It makes you feel proud to live in a community that celebrates Camille and our Library in such a positive and heartfelt way.

I am so proud of Camille, and proud to be a Kankakeean.

Cindy Fuerst
Library Director