Hello Patrons of Freeport!

I am so excited to be here! My name is Emily Schaub, and I am the new Executive Director for the Freeport Public Library. I bring 18 years of experience to this role, having worked in small libraries prior to this. If you think Freeport is small, you should visit Utica, Illinois! The population served by the library is just under 2,000!

I spent my early career there in Utica, wearing many hats. Cataloger, programmer, outreach librarian, adult services, teen services, you name it, I did it. After 10 years in Utica, I had the opportunity to work as the Teen Services Manager at Peru Public Library. There, I was able to connect with teens and expand on the great services the library had already created. I was eventually made Co-Library Director. In that role, I connected with staff, patrons, and local organizations in new ways. I organized meet-ups for library employees, and all participating libraries were able to share the costs of presenters, helping all of us better serve our communities.

Freeport already feels like home, and it’s only been a few weeks. The staff at the Library is wonderful, and all the patrons I’ve had the pleasure of meeting are very welcoming, too. I sincerely appreciate the warm welcomes I’ve received so far. I encourage you to reach out with your ideas, so we can better serve you - our community! I appreciate all input from the people we serve, and look forward to hearing your ideas, your stories, and your vision for what you want and need from the Library of today.

Together, I know we'll do great things! 

Sincerely,
Executive Director, Emily Schaub