Patrons, staff find surprise money drops at Wauconda library
It's been said a good book is like a secret door, which would make a library a place full of secrets.
That's never been more true than at the Wauconda Area Library, where patrons and employees have found envelopes containing dollar bills tucked among the books in recent weeks.
On the outside of each small, white envelope, a sticker reads, “Surprise! Buy a coffee or hot chocolate to enjoy while reading. Just a little gift during this season of giving.”
About five have been found so far, all in the temporary children's area set up on the ground floor while the regular space is being renovated.
“It is a great feeling to see patrons and staff find these, especially over the holiday season,” Library Assistant Caity Forster said. “Our patrons are always surprising us in the best ways.”
The discoveries were revealed Thursday on the library's Facebook page.
The first envelope was found a week or two before Christmas, Forster said. The most recent was found late last week.
“We are still coming across them as we begin to move these materials back downstairs,” Forster said. “We don't know how many have been hidden.”
Forster said the library staff has no idea who planted the envelopes.
“We are speculating that it is a patron,” she said.
Authors and artists have been known to leave surprises for fans at bookstores and in other locations.
Author Neil Gaiman has gleefully tweeted about signing his books in airport shops without warning.
Last August, Chicago-area illustrator Justin Castaneda left 10 original art pieces in various places at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont during a comic book convention there. Artist Katie Cook made a similar art drop at Disneyland last year.
The dollar drops at the Wauconda library coincide with a $2 million renovation project.
Most of the effort focuses on changes to the children's department downstairs.
That work is scheduled to wrap up Jan. 26, library Director Tom Kern said.
“The construction is pretty much done, but furnishings and computers are still coming in,” Kern said.
In addition, the project will bring more study rooms, a new video game area, a larger section for teens and other improvements.
Although the library has been operating during the work, a grand opening is tentatively planned for April.
Patrons can learn more about the project and find updated information at the library's website, wauclib.org.