Jim Peterek, Ides of March founder ...libraries are definitely not on the road to extinction - at least not judging by what happened Sunday in Aurora, Ill. Due to participation in the upcoming local authors' day, I was invited to attend the opening of Aurora's new $28-million dollar public library.
Now, you might think the opening of a new library would be nothing special, particularly in today's digital environment, but you would be wrong.
Sunday's event attracted a crowd of around fifteen hundred people that cut across every line from young to old, whites to minorities and judging by the way people were dressed, every economic status.
Presentations were made by noted dignitaries including U.S. Cong. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, John Savage, president of the Aurora Library Board and Gina Santori, who along with her husband, Richard, donated a $3-million dollar endowment to the library. The event concluded with a performance by the Ides of March founder Jim Peterek performing their signature composition, "Eye of the Tiger".
What struck me most forcefully was the attentiveness of the crowd that stood respectfully in eighty-plus degree heat for the hour-long presentation after which they streamed inside the impressive structure to get a look.
If I was ever in despair over the futility of continuing to write in this age of what some assert is impending illiteracy, Sunday's wonderful event more than restored my faith in the printed word and how much people from all walks of life value it. I look forward to returning Sept. 12 to participate in "Bunches of Authors". If you happen to be in the Aurora area this fall, be sure to stop in. A link to the complete story and more photographs is: www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-library-st-0615-20150614-story.html"
Now, you might think the opening of a new library would be nothing special, particularly in today's digital environment, but you would be wrong.
Sunday's event attracted a crowd of around fifteen hundred people that cut across every line from young to old, whites to minorities and judging by the way people were dressed, every economic status.
Presentations were made by noted dignitaries including U.S. Cong. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, John Savage, president of the Aurora Library Board and Gina Santori, who along with her husband, Richard, donated a $3-million dollar endowment to the library. The event concluded with a performance by the Ides of March founder Jim Peterek performing their signature composition, "Eye of the Tiger".
What struck me most forcefully was the attentiveness of the crowd that stood respectfully in eighty-plus degree heat for the hour-long presentation after which they streamed inside the impressive structure to get a look.
If I was ever in despair over the futility of continuing to write in this age of what some assert is impending illiteracy, Sunday's wonderful event more than restored my faith in the printed word and how much people from all walks of life value it. I look forward to returning Sept. 12 to participate in "Bunches of Authors". If you happen to be in the Aurora area this fall, be sure to stop in. A link to the complete story and more photographs is: www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-aurora-library-st-0615-20150614-story.html"
 Aurora Mayor Weisner with me |  Me at the library's grand opening |  Chandelier Inside Aurora's new library |
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