Little Free Library Dedicated to Memory of Buffalo Grove Rotarian

The Buffalo Grove Rotary Club recently dedicated a Little Free Library in Green Lake Park to the memory of Patrice (Pat) Johannes, who passed away in the spring of 2021.

Pat was a valued club member who had a successful career in education, including being a principal at Buffalo Grove and St. Viator high schools. A champion for literacy projects, Pat was the devoted chair of the Buffalo Grove Rotary scholarship program for several years and was instrumental in the awarding of more than $20,000 in scholarships for college-bound seniors from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools.

After the dedication ceremony, which was attended by Buffalo Grove Rotary President Brett Robinson and nearly a dozen Rotarians, they, along with members of the Buffalo Grove Garden Club, Buffalo Grove Lions Club, the Environmental Club from Buffalo Grove High School, the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team, and neighbors of the park combined efforts to install 240 plants, mostly trees and shrubs, for a new arboretum at Green Lake Park.

Area residents are invited to visit the Little Free Library to take a book, and leave a book for others to enjoy. Little Free Library is a 501 nonprofit organization that promotes neighborhood book exchanges, with a mission to inspire readers and increase access to books. The organization works to achieve their mission through a global network of Little Free Libraries that are led completely by volunteers.

Sponsors of the Little Free Library include Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust and the Indian Trails Public Library Foundation.