‘I’ll Be Right Here’ at the Fremont Public Library

Fans of the 1982 Steven Spielberg movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” will want to stop by the Fremont Public Library in Mundelein to see the newest display in the entrance lobby.

The items in the display are from the collection of local resident Shawn Killackey. After seeing the film in a movie theater in 1982 as a child, it quickly became his favorite movie and he started collecting memorabilia of the lost alien.

“There’s something so pure and innocent about this movie,” Killackey said. “I think it’s one of those movies that fits into any era, any generation.”

With the first item being the metal lunchbox that is in the library display to see, he currently has a collection that includes over 570 different pieces with no duplicates.

Killackey has collected a huge assortment of E.T. merchandise that was sold back in 1982 to promote the movie, ranging from T-shirts, plush toys, action figures, shoes, books, mugs and much more. He also has items that were put out in stores for the anniversaries of the movie such as in 1992, 2002, 2012 and 2022, which is why his collection has grown so much. There is also talk about applying to the Guinness Book of World Records to see if this collection is the largest.

These items will be on display at the library until the end of January. The Fremont Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Visit fremontlibrary.org.