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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 aa....„„a„ • Library lives on as legacy y By Susan White library in his honor. IN THE BEGINNING,the Father of the Bahnsen didn't lend just lofty ideas or . Oak Brook Public Library, like any good rhetoric about the village's need for a father, could be found easing the newborn public library.He lent physical support. - through its growingpains. "He was a quiet worker, but he always And like a father who maintains great accomplished whatever he set out to do," 3' expectations of his child, this one spent said his wife, Bernice. Those ac time seeing that the fledgling developed complishments included the elbow work �., properly. that many people don't know about, she Erwin B. Bahnsen who died Feb. 5 at added — painting, scrubbing floors, put the age of 65,was considered the founding ting up shelves, whatever was needed to father of the library because he wasn't on- create a library. ly supportive during its early years,which "He stuck with it," Larson said. "When began in 1961,but was a mainstay up to his everybody else got tired and dropped death,as a member of the library commis- away,Erwin stuck with it,"she recalled. sion. Beside those records of the great ideas of Bahnsen AND TO CELEBRATE Bahnsen's life civilization that he helped acquire for his service,the village board recently decided neighbors will hang the plaque corn- to have a plaque made to dedicate the memoraling the man and his dreams. ! Riedication ' to dear ' Dad ' g y r � 0#4;,r-57-71.,: By Susan White IN THE BEGINNING, the Father of the � � Oak Brook Public Library, like any good 'h father, could be found easing the newborn through its growing pains. And like a father who maintains greatyff expectations of his child, this one spent time seeing that the fledgling developed properly. BAHNSEN Erwin B. Bahnsen, who died Feb. 5 at the04 Erwin E Bahnsen beloved husb ru age of 65,was considered the founding father `; .. sem" Bernice;fond father of Christine ural Mark.Visitaftc,ag Etils on.-� ! of the librarybecause he wasn't only ¢ ` / n=rat home, First and Gra7f � y Streets,Thursday from 5 to 9 P.m. s h supportive during its early years, which Funeral mass Friday t0 a.m.at saac Joeues Church. Interni began in 1961, but was a mainstay up to his _ death, as a member of the library commission. AND TO COMMEMORATE Bahnsen's life service,the village board recently decided to x x� " 2 have a plaque made to dedicate the library in �- his honor. Bahnsen:Oak Brook Library founder Bahnsen didn't lend just lofty ideas or rhetoric about the village's need for a public increase the book stacks. library,He lent physical support. "He was a quiet worker, but he always THE RESIDENTS responded well, for the accomplished whatever he set out to do," library collection grew beyond its small said his wife, Bernice. Those room on the second floor of the old village accomplishments included the elbow work hall, 1200 Oak Brook Rd., to the entire that many people don't know about, she building after it was gutted and renovated in added— painting, scrubbing floors, putting 1976. The collection now stands at 21,000 up shelves, whatever was needed to create a books and is still growing, said Joanne library. Fritter,head librarian.- IN A SCRAPBOOK kept about the early But Bahnsen did more than just solicit years of the library, Bahnsen can be seen funds through his letters.He tried to instill a shelving books along with Marion Larson sense of excitement about the growth of the and George Anne Verner, who also were new library. An excerpt from a 1965 letter early supporters. reads: "He stuck with it," Larson said. "When "Now a thing of this sort can't be expected everybody else got tired and dropped away, to explode like fireworks on the 4th of July. Erwin stuck with it,"she recalled. Reading is not that kind of a pursuit. It's a The library scrapbook also contains letters quiet and thoughtful pastime in the world of written by Bahnsen to Oak Brook residents, ideas. But books are the treasury of encouraging them to become members of the knowledge,of stories and ideas, our heritage library association and seeking funds to of civilization and stimulant to progress." :. � , �r a 2 ',, ..*7.: -<' ..„itt 4 ‘-syy* i AA A - ,eV f 'L`„ Y 4 J � �_ ax ?a,- .1 J MRAZ,president-elect,Joanne Fritter,librarian,and Kay fes Benzin, president of the Oak Brook Business and Prosional NEVA Wcmen's club,gathered to present a book"A Measure Filled"to the Oak Brook library. OB library : a literal success SpRig& 19 ec by Cathy Collins going library discussion group meets the se- village, according to Fritter. "A library is A library is a"unique organization,"said cond Wednesday of every month where the only organization that is open and free to Oak Brook librarian JoAnn Fritter. "It has everyone may read about a specific topic to any member of a community regardless of no parameters and knows no boundaries." brainstorm about it later; a noon-time film age or capability, and the only service of- The Oak Brook library was organized series on immigration and different ethnic fered daily to everyone in that community," many years ago by the Oak Brook Library groups making the United States their home - Fritter said. assn.and run as a volunteer service.Fritter is being offered every Wednesday; and lec- Geographically located in the center of was hired in 1971 as its first full-time turers are sponsored occasionally. All pro- the village, Fritter hopes that the library librarian,and two years ago the library was grams are offered free of charge.For more inay become a center drawing point for Oak moved into a renovated building at the information,call the library,654-2222. Brook.In the future,bike paths may make it village commons,1200 Oak Brook road. Next summer, Fritter hopes to have a easier for children to visit. "The library is experiencing slow,steady comprehensive program similar to the one Trustee Wence Cerne described the growth," Fritter said, with an estimated the Hinsdale library offers. library as"a cultural center for all ages" 1,250 members now. It has two full-time The library plays an important role in the and"a solidifying force in our community." employees and five part-time.The quarter- ly report released at the latest village board ! meeting reported that the library has 20,000 books and operates on a$76,000 budget from the corporate fund. The library has several special programs. Story hours delight small children; an on- Named to Dean list Chris Hanke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hanke,Oak Brook,was named to the dean's list at Rensselaer Polytechnic institute, Troy, N.Y., after completing his first semester in bio-medical engineering. Following in his father's and grand- father's footsteps, Hanke also pledged Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.