Vernon Area Library officials to honor late director

Six months after his death, Vernon Area Public Library District officials are working on a plan to publicly memorialize former Director Allen Meyer.

An outdoor reading area, an art collection in the children's department or a special collection are among the concepts being considered at the Lincolnshire facility, board members said. Renaming the children's department after Meyer, who joined the district as a children's librarian in 1985, is an option, too.

"We want to do something to memorialize Allen," board member George Goldstein said. "The board is working to find the best way to honor his memory."

Meyer died in June at his Buffalo Grove home after a seven-month battle with cancer. He was 57.

Meyer had served as Vernon Area's director since 1988. He was the guiding force of the library, overseeing its move into a new building in 1993, the expansion of its staff and collection, and its continuing evolution in this computerized age.

"He had a handle on what was happening everywhere," Goldstein said.

Meyer also was credited for creating a casual, familial atmosphere in the building.

"That, I think, was the magic of what he did," library board member Jay Foss said.

The library board will discuss memorial options at its meeting Monday night. That session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the library, 300 Olde Half Day Road.

The panel likely will work with the Friends of the Vernon Area Public Library volunteer organization to make the memorial a reality.

A timetable for the honor has not been set. The board will take its time choosing the right memorial, board President Jane Berman said.

"We want people to be happy with it at the end of the day and feel it's an appropriate tribute," Berman said.

Anyone with suggestions can e-mail friends@vapld.info or attend Monday's meeting.