Verzani turns to next chapter after 13 years at Hinsdale Library

HINSDALE – She has been reading for as long as she can remember, starting when her mom would tell her stories every night as a child, and then as she got older when they would read their own books together after dinner.

“My favorite children’s picture book is ‘Where’s My Teddy?’ by Jez Alborough – I have it pretty much memorized,” said Tiffany Verzani, who recently left Hinsdale Public Library for a new position as library director at Elmwood Park Public Library.

For the past 13 years, Verzani has been working at the Hinsdale Public Library as the youth and young adult services manager and assistant director. She has done everything from marching in Hinsdale’s Independence Day Parade and handing out books to presiding over building renovations. But one of her main joys is sharing her love of reading with everyone and getting kids to share that same interest.

“We are not with these kids every day like teachers and parents, so we have to use our knowledge of books to find the right one for them, be responsive and make them feel as important and special – because they are,” Verzani said.

Verzani said her mom was a murder mystery buff, so those types of stories have resonated with her, but she also enjoys pretty much everything from fantasy, to science fiction, historical adventures and poetry.

Every work field has its cast of characters, but Verzani’s may be the most entertaining as she works with kids on a constant basis. She said some of her favorite memories were dressing up as Snape at the Harry Potter parties and participating in the Hunger Games teen party.

She’s also going to miss those “Kids Say the Darndest Things” moments.

“In storytime, the theme that day may be dinosaurs or bugs, but that doesn’t stop a preschooler from raising her hand and saying, ‘I love Batman,’ or ‘My dog threw up this morning,’” she said.

Storytime, especially with a picture book, is a joy for any preschooler. But as technology becomes more advanced, it causes libraries to have to advance as well. In some libraries, paperback books are being replaced with Kindles and iPads. Verzani said both Hinsdale and Elmwood Park are innovative and unafraid in using technology, but doesn’t believe new technological devices will replace books.

Verzani said it was a hard decision to leave Hinsdale Library because of the friends she has made, her co-workers, working in the community and her love of the library. However, she felt this was the “right move at the right time” going to Elmwood Park Public Library.

“I have been considering making a move to a director position and I feel a great kinship with the community,” she said.