Waukegan Public Library receives $25,000 gift

Waukegan Public Library has announced a $25,000 gift to its Foundation on behalf of the estate of Elizabeth Whitlow. Whitlow's passion for education, literacy, and the arts made her a longtime donor to the Foundation, and her niece, Linda Skaggs, chose to commemorate her aunt's legacy with this gift to the Waukegan Public Library Foundation.

The gift will completely fund the renovation of the library's main floor computer classroom. On June 21, the Waukegan Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the classroom in Whitlow's honor.

The renovation will offer increased capacity and updated technology, and facilitate teaching by optimizing the room's floor plan to use the space most efficiently. The library's digital literacy classes are a core part of its offerings to the community, providing essential instruction in computer skills in English and Spanish, teaching basic skills, Internet and MS Word, and job readiness. Students in the library's classes have received raises and turned temporary employment into full-time, permanent positions thanks to the skills they gained. Others have gone on to pursue additional educational opportunities at the library or at the College of Lake County.

"This gift represents an investment in Waukegan, as well as in the library's work to support people with access to the classes they need to reach their goals," Executive Director Richard Lee said. "We will look forward to honoring Elizabeth Whitlow's memory by providing high-quality, impactful classes in this wonderful new space."

Construction is already underway in the Elizabeth Whitlow Computer Classroom, with a ribbon cutting tentatively scheduled for Aug. 4.