I have created this blog as a place where all the people who knew and cared about Susan Roberts can post memories and stories of her. I will start. One day during my long building project, I went to see Susan at Grande Prairie Library. She could tell how stressed out I was with legal wranglings and so forth. She shut her office door, took off her shoes and proceeded to twist her body into a pretzel, as she'd learned during her Qi Gong classes. I watched in amazement because the women was in hose and a dress, and yet she took time out of her day to show me relaxation techniques. That's the kind of person Susan was - someone who would drop everything if a friend or colleague was in need. She will be sorely missed.
Megan
9 comments:
Could the Ohio Buckeyes get a better supporter than Susan? Remember the red dress and the Ohio earrings - when she supported you, she was fully committed. That's how Susan was...with the Grande Prairie Library - with its patrons...pushing to the max. That's how she was when we discussed the county tax cap, when we worked on the SLS Long Range Plan, the MLS Swan Governance, legislative issues and numerous other committees. She gave from the heart. She will be remembered for her true caring, her ambition, her professionalism - her friendship. My deep and sincere sympathy is extended to her family and friends - Ruth
You are so right about Susan's committment, Ruth. I worked for Susan for less than a year, but during that time Grande Prairie PLD became the first public library in Chicago's south suburbs to have a web page, to offer [dial-up] internet access for the public, to teach email to the public (using free PrairieNet accounts), and to host a web learning group for patrons. All back in 1996.
This happened in no small part due to Susan's committment to equity of access and to her unwavering desire to improve the lives of those the Library served. My deepest sympathies to her family during this difficult time.
- Jenny Levine
I wan not fortunate enough to work closely with Susan as Megan, Ruth and Jenny did; we met through our work in the library community. I admire Susan's commitment to the library profession and to public service. My thoughts and prayers are with Susan's family and friends in this time of remembrance and loss. I wish she had been given more time to enjoy her retirement. She will be missed. Karen
I was so fortunate to have known Susan Roberts when I first started working in Public Libraries in 1985 at Oak Lawn Public Library. I was still in high school at the time and Susan was in the Adult Reference section. I can still vividly remember when her and Bruce adopted Will and how excited they were showing us all the photos. I had the pleasure of babysitting him a few times. I remember how Susan would sometimes drive me home from the library when I moved out to Country Club Hills and would give me a ride home since she lived out in Glenwood at the time. I then went on to College and came back to the Library scene in 1992 and went to work as a Reader's Advisory Associate at Grande Prairie Library under Susan. I worked with her until 1996 and enjoyed every minute with her. Susan and I always stayed in touch because I always visited the library even when I left and began working for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. In 2004 Susan helped me and my family start looking for houses in Homewood. I was able to trust her judgement on the area because she had lived there for so many years. Surprisingly we found a house just down the street from Susan and I have been her neighbor since early 2005. The one thing that I will always remember about Susan was her brown poncho/sweater,, she was always cold and always wore her Poncho. I can still close my eyes and picture her so vividly. Lately, this past year, I had seen her walking to and from work down 183rd st. and thought she had guts to do that. Never fail, day after day I would be driving down 183rd st. coming home from the train station and I would see Susan walking. I am going to miss her so much, I will miss walking down our street and passing her house and waving to her as I walk my dogs. I only found out last night that she had passed, I was not expecting this to happen so soon, I was sure she was going to beat this, and get well. I never had the chance to say Goodbye to her, and this bothers me, but I am sure that she knows how much we all loved her. I will hold onto all the good memories I have of her and my deepest sympathy to her entire family. She was taken from us too soon- Michelle Tolbert
Words are never enough but my heartfelt sympathy goes out to Susan's family. Susan and I first worked together 20 years ago at Oak Lawn Library. I don’t think she’s changed over 20 years. I’ve always loved her dedication and passion for all things library, her compassion for others, and her vision of what could be. Susan always seemed to enjoy discussion with others, exhibiting great thoughtfulness in those discussions and always considerate of others’ points of view. I feel so lucky to have worked with her on the SWAN governance project. It was a wonderful team effort and it was great that she was part of it. Her smile and her spirit will be sorely missed.
This is just so sad. I've known Susan for years, and she had more recently become active in Librarians for Social Responsibility. She gave so much to us with her strong beliefs about access, her commitment to social justice, and her wonderful laugh. She was a dedicated, highly-professional colleague and a friend, and I miss her very much.
When I think of Susan I think about a lot of things!! Her passion for libraries, patrons, mentoring, coaching, advocacy, and GRANTS!!! Reaching all Readers and Imagine a Day Without Libraries will be with all of us for many years! We will see those wonderful library bags pop up when we least expect to see them, and they will always be a reminder to all of us of Susan's passion for libraries. Susan was a great friend and very helpful to me throughout the years that I have known her. We carpooled to many LACONI meetings and to the grant workshop in Springfield last year. The car rides were full of conversations about library issues, library gossip, library problems such as funding etc., and even "how to fund college" tips. I will truly miss my friend Susan.
My sympathies to all her family and friends, Kathy
Working on the LSTA Grant Trilogy with Susan was one of the highlights of my library career - a unique and wonderful synergy occurred. But something even better happened, I gained a dear, dear friend. During one of our phone calls while she was exploring the Woodridge position, she said, "I just know they're expecting me to come up with a bunch of new services, so I was thinking last night..." And with that she rattled off about 30 ideas; each one of them a little gem! I laughingly said, "No more grants!" I didn't really mean it.
The last time I saw her, I had the chance to say how much she had inspired me and been there for me. I know I was speaking for many. My thoughts are with her wonderful family who took such good care of her and whom she loved so much. She will always be in my heart.
I first met Susan in 1984 when we were Reference Librarians at Oak Lawn Public Library. She was a pro, having worked for the AMA, and I a novice. What a great teacher she was- deep knowledge, sharing spirit, patience, and a love of our profession! As we worked the desk together I also came to know her as a friend. My sadness at her leaving the Library was overcome by the delight of knowing that Bill was coming to join her family. Bill, the joy you brought your mother added to her already rich life and made it complete. From then on, I never talked to Susan without hearing about you, seeing your most recent picture, and sharing stories about our sons. When I met you at her memorial service I really did feel as though I already knew you, another tribute to your mother. Susan's presence will continue to grace my life as her many kindnesses affected me both deeply and permanently. Please know that she will be remembered often and thought of with great fondness.
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