Huntley celebrates 45 years on St. Charles library board

St. Charles Public Library board member Norman Huntley will celebrate his 45th year of service on the library board this month.

First elected on April 15, 1969, Huntley held the office of president for 37 of those years. Having worked alongside 36 other board members and three library directors, Huntley is the longest standing board member in St. Charles Public Library history.

A strong commitment to community has been a hallmark of Huntley's tenure. After 45 years, Huntley still loves being on the board and states that he has stayed because he "wants to see things completed."

During Huntley's tenure, the St. Charles Public Library has not just grown - the library has also flourished and expanded its ability to serve the community.

Significant highlights of the past four decades include: converting from a township library to a district library in 1978; relocating the Children's Department to the lower level, making expansion of Adult Services possible; closing of Walnut Avenue between Fifth and Sixth avenues to create a parking lot; a 35,000-square-foot addition to the building in 1988; construction of the Helen Gale Story Room in Youth Services in 1995; restoration of the Carnegie building in 1998; creation of the St. Charles Library Foundation; and the renovation project currently in progress.

In 2009, the library board honored Huntley's 40th anniversary by naming the main library meeting room the "Norman C. Huntley Meeting Room."

Huntley will be recognized by the board of trustees and the St. Charles Public Library at the annual Staff Recognition Dinner Friday, May 2, at the St. Charles Country Club. Former library director Diana Brown will present Huntley with a 45-year anniversary pin.

The St. Charles Public Library is at One S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles. For information, visit www.st.charleslibrary.org or call (630) 584-0076.