My family and I attended the memorial service for Dawn Tideman, longtime librarian at Dole library. Over the years, Dawn recommended books for my two children, asked about them by name and helped me find books that interested me. Visiting Dole library for the first time since the memorial, I missed her keenly.

I also miss the other regular librarians that made Dole feel so much like a community center. Jeannie Fridel, former head librarian, Janet and Robin are all missing from Dole now. Due to management changes, all librarians rotate through the system. Although this might be more efficient, it's left me feeling like Dole is just one more institution instead of the community anchor it used to be.

Relationships with an institution are built one employee at a time, one kind act built on another, year after year. It's a small thing, but I miss being able to grieve Dawn's loss with all the regular librarians who knew her best.

I urge management to reconsider their policy of rotating the librarians though the system. Please bring Jeannie, Robyn, Janet and the other regular librarians back to Dole. I miss you all.

Lindsay Olson
Oak Park