Cook Memorial Public Library board gets new trustee
A Vernon Hills resident will fill a vacancy on the Cook Memorial Public Library District board, officials said Friday.
Tommy Koo was tapped this week to replace Mary Ann Phillips, a longtime board member from Libertyville who resigned in February.
Phillips stepped down because her sister had been hired as the library’s youth service manager. Library district policy prevents relatives of board members from being employees.
Koo couldn’t be reached for comment.
Six people applied for the post, officials said. Koo was among three finalists.
Koo’s knowledge of technology and interest in promoting the library’s computer programs impressed board President Bonnie Quirke.
“He has that expertise,” Quirke said.
Koo also owns the Szechuan North restaurant in Glenview.
The board voted Tuesday to appoint Koo to the panel following a closed-door discussion, but because the vote was not included on the agenda for the evening’s meeting they will confirm the decision at an upcoming meeting, Quirke said.
Koo will finish Phillips’ term, which ends in spring 2013. He will be able to run for election at that time.
Cook Memorial’s main library is in Libertyville. A second facility operates in Vernon Hills.
Of the seven board members, only Koo and Nate Johnson live in Vernon Hills. The others live in Libertyville.
“Having (another) perspective from Vernon Hills is something we thought would be good,” Johnson said.