Anonymous gift will benefit Mundelein school

When 10 computers were installed last year, the library at Diamond Lake Elementary School in Mundelein became a media center.

But it was a surprise gift of $50,000 that will take it to a level that none of the staff could have imagined.

"I've been totally floored," said Melissa Michael, who has been furiously trying to improve the library's offerings since she came to the district four years ago from Lake Zurich Unit District 95.

Michael has had a long-term friendship with a local family. The patriarch, a former computer programmer and artist, was understanding when Michael spoke of her $5,000 annual budget and the difficulties in making improvements.

Currently, a class working on a project can split time on the machines. Ideally, an entire class would be able to work at once, Michael said.

After researching prices of new computers and the accompanying shelving, she determined the initial offer of $25,000 wouldn't be enough. It was doubled by the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous.

"I'm very passionate about what I do," she said. "I didn't realize he had funds to do something like that." The donation will fund a dozen or more new computers and associated equipment, although it likely won't be purchased and installed until summer.

About 358 second-, third- and fourth-graders attend Diamond Lake.

Technology "was not a focus," Michael said. "You need to get to resources faster."

Principal Beth Kiewicz said the library had been a place where students were given typical 30-minute lessons on its workings.

That began to change, in part, because of Michael's persistence. Classroom lessons began to be integrated with computers in the media center.

"It just makes learning more meaningful," Kiewicz said. "They still check out books, but the teacher teams up with the media center person."

Kiewicz said technology is a critical need but the expense can be an issue.

"Technology in general is so expensive," she said, noting staff and students saved box tops to acquire a machine to teach word processing.

The new equipment also will benefit parents and community members, as it will be available to those who don't have it at home.

"A lot of parents learn from their kid," she said.

It's also an example of an overlooked way of helping a community.

"I don't think people often think of giving gifts like this to a school," Kiewicz said.

And for the energetic librarian?

"It is her dream and it's going to come true," Kiewicz said. "To come into a sum like this at one time is phenomenal."