by Tammy Clausen, Berwyn and Hector Marino, Stickney-View Forest

MLS is happy to welcome new directors at the Berwyn and Stickney-Forest View Public Libraries.  Tammy Clausen has been committed to promoting family literacy and life-long learning for almost 20 years and believes she has found her niche at the Berwyn Library. At Berwyn she has strived to establish the library as the heart of the community for the last 10 years.  Tammy became the Berwyn Public Library’s 8th director on September first replacing retired director Bill Hensley.

Tammy was both head of Outreach services and of Readers’ Services during her tenure at the library.  While working in readers advisory she co-authored a reference guide entitled “The Horror Readers’ Advisory:  The Librarian’s Guide to Vampires, Killer Tomatoes and Haunted houses.  Her co-author, Becky Spratford, is currently working on the guides 2nd edition. 

Clausen and her family live in Berwyn and have become involved in the schools, the historical society, theater, cultural center, and park districts – virtually all community organizations that serve Berwyn families.  She believes the library and these community organizations share common goals and are natural partners that would benefit from collaborative programming and shared resources.  These networking skills and community cooperative efforts are essential to fully serving the educational and informational needs of Berwyn’s library patrons. 

Clausen is excited to be a part of an organization that offers dynamic service-oriented programs. She feels fortunate to participate in creating a literate public by offering a place where adults can learn and practice new skills and children are given opportunities to interact with books and enjoy stories.  In this new position, she is provided a fresh opportunity to create partnerships that promote the fundamental importance of literacy and the intrinsic value of reading.

Hector Marino, a highly experienced library professional, started as Director of the Stickney Forest View Public Library District on August 10, 2009.  Prior to joining Stickney-Forest View Public Library District he worked for nine years as Technology Director at the Des Plaines Public Library.

"My father most influenced my life because he encouraged me to read, study hard and be all that I could be." said Hector.  Marino's background is extensive.  He holds a Bachelor's Degree in social sciences from National College of Buenos Aires, Argentina; a Master's Degree in political science from the University del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina and a Master's Degree in library sciences from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. His past work experience includes 10 years with Georgetown University, where he gained excellent training in technical services and customer services.

Marino was Library Automation Manager for the U.S Census in Washington, D.C.  Additionally, he was consultant to public libraries in Colorado, Texas and Illinois, and served as workshop instructor for librarians on how to do outreach to Hispanics. This program, funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and OCLC Web Junction, aimed at helping librarians better serve the technology needs of Spanish-speaking users and making them aware of available library computer services. Prior to this activity he worked for the World Bank, Denver Public Schools, and Denver Public Library. Hector is fluent in Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Hector is an active member of the American Library Association. In 2006 he was elected to the Council and in 2005-2007 he chaired the Sister Library program. This program encourages U.S libraries to build relationships with libraries in other countries to help us to learn, understand and better serve our diverse communities. Hector also is an active member of REFORMA, a National Association to promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and Spanish-Speaking individuals. He has served as president of the Midwest, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. chapters.

"My life philosophy is to be friendly, smile often, make many new friends, keep my promises, reach out to help others, to learn from my mistakes, to strive to understand others, develop my own imagination, trust life and to believe in myself," Marino said. Hector is married to University of Chicago faculty Dr. Susana Marino.  Hector's daughter Brianna is a freshman at Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, IL.

His most gratifying experience has been being a volunteer for the Reading Aloud Program "in lower income, single-parent families. A man reading to these children was highly appreciated and I will continue to do so in English as well as in Spanish."  One of his goals as library director is to work hard towards making Stickney-Forest View Library the best in the Metropolitan System. In short, his "vision" is to lead this library with outstanding and innovative programs, latest technology, excellent customer services and exceptionally trained staff.

Published October 21, 2009 in vol. 3, iss. 20 [View]