Margaret J. (Peggy) Danhof on left, Gayle Graske on right

Two Fountaindale Public Library trustees were recently honored by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF).  Trustee Gayle Graske received the 2010 ALTAFF/Gale Outstanding Trustee Conference Grant, which enabled her to attend the 2010 ALA Annual Conference in June of this year in Washington, D.C.   At that conference, library board president Margaret J. (Peggy) Danhof was recognized as the winner of the 2010 Trustee Citation for ALA/ALTAFF.

The ALA /ALTAFF Trustee Citation, established in 1941 to recognize public library trustees for distinguished service to library development, symbolizes and honors the best contributions and efforts of the estimated 60,000 American citizens who serve on library boards.  Danhof was recognized as this year’s honoree for her diligent work to successfully pass a 48.6 million dollar referendum to construct the new library currently under construction in Bolingbrook, and for her services to libraries and trustees in Illinois including her tenure with ILA, her membership on the Prairie Area Library System (PALS) Board and her Presidency of ALA/ALTAFF on the national level.

She was also honored for her leadership in recognizing the benefits of a merged division of ALA combining the Association of Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) with the Friends of Libraries U.S.A.(FOLUSA) and working tirelessly to promote this merger to ALTA membership.  Danhof’s accomplishments also include her services as a delegate to the White House Conference on Library and Information Services held in Washington D.C. in 1991.  

The $850 ALTAFF/Gale Outstanding Trustee Conference Grant is awarded annually to a public library trustee who has demonstrated qualitative interests and efforts in serving his or her local public library. Trustee Graske is a lifelong reader with a passion for books, who has been both a regular patron and employee of the library. She was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library in April 2009, and was appointed Secretary of the board in December of 2009.  She is currently a member of the Illinois Library Association (ILA) and the American Library Association (ALA).

Congratulations!