Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez

Dedicated to sparking public interest and financially supporting local libraries, Friends of the Library extends assistance to Oak Forest’s Acorn Public Library. 

“We’re here to support the library financially and… to convey, to the community, all the things that are available besides books,” said Marianne Cursio. 

Cursio is a long-time volunteer and current Friends of the Library President. “We often hear ‘why do you need a book if you can go on the internet,’ but there are many other things at the Library.”

Friends of the Library began in 2016 and primarily aimed to help the Acorn Public Library at 15624 Central Ave. 

The new programs implemented reach all age groups, from children to teens and adults. Community members will have opportunities to attend presentations by local authors and experts in their fields. These programs are most beneficial to auditory and kinesthetic learners. Friends of the Library’s ambitions strive to provide resources and finances for the Acorn Public Library and the community. 

“We also donate books to various social services agencies like the senior citizen centers, veteran centers, churches, and schools,” said Cursio. Last fall, when celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day, teachers from the schools in the area came and took books to use for their classrooms. Curcio said, “We also had little gift bags for the teachers with some snacks, post-it notes, pens, and things like that.” They held this event “just for the appreciation of the teachers for all they do.”

Community teenagers can now enjoy their new ‘teen room’ with a comfortable lounging area, gaming chairs and various electronic equipment since the Friends organization provided and equipped it last summer. Now teens have their own ‘spot,’ Cursio added, “It’s a special place because the library almost always has a place for little kids and tots, but this is a special place just for teenagers.”

The Friends of the Library are always looking for volunteers to help sort through donated books. “There can be mountains of them. I always tell people they can volunteer on their own schedule. It’s not a rigid structure for volunteers because we want them to choose to come,” said Cursio. 

Interested in volunteering and becoming a ‘Friend?’ Members can join the non-profit at a low membership fee or help in other ways. Most income raised through the organization comes from reselling books, 65% of which was reselling books in 2023, and 23% from selling holiday baskets. 

“We sell used books that come, and for the holiday baskets, we have a wonderful person (Loretta) that makes baskets with books and other surprises inside,” added Cursio.  

Presently, there are 65 Friends and 10 consistent volunteers. If interested in becoming a Friend or volunteer, please email Marianne Cursio at mariannecursio@att.net, via cell phone at 708-446-6470, or talk to the librarians at Acorn Public Library.

“I feel that libraries are so important. People need to have someplace where they can go. It’s a peaceful place. There are various book clubs, movie clubs, and other activities where people can meet other community members that they might not meet. It’s fostering neighborliness,” said Cursio.

For more information, please visit the Friends of the Library page here.

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