Longtime Schaumburg Library Trustee Passes Away

Former Schaumburg Township District Library Trustee Debby Miller, an active member of the community and advocate for libraries and intellectual freedom, passed away on Saturday, July 23, according to Library Executive Director Stephanie Sarnoff. Miller served with distinction as a library trustee from 1971 through 2015, holding the offices of library board president, vice-president/secretary, and treasurer.

"Debby will be greatly missed by her numerous friends and colleagues, in addition to her family," Sarnoff said. "She was truly a leader in the community for decades, and a strong voice for literacy and public libraries nationwide. She was also a key player in many community organizations."

Miller held leadership roles in the North Suburban Library System, Illinois Library Association, American Library Association, Association for Library Trustees and Advocates, and National Library of Education Advisory Committee. Her numerous awards included the Illinois Humanities Council Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award, the Illinois Library Association Intellectual Freedom Award, the American Library Association Whitehouse Conference on Libraries Citizen of the Year Award, and an American Library Association Trustee Citation.

"She was a driving force in making our library the educational, cultural and technological treasure it is today," Sarnoff added. "She also had a contagious enthusiasm and love for life that inspired everyone who worked with her."

Miller's funeral services will be held at 1:45 p.m., Tuesday, July 26, at Chicago Jewish Funerals in Buffalo Grove.