Stickney-Forest View library opens annex

STICKNEY – The Stickney-Forest View Public Library has been able to extend its reach to its patrons south of Interstate 55 through the generosity of Stickney Township.

The district opened a new programming facility Sept. 6 at the Stickney Township Health Department building, 4949 S. Long Ave., Chicago, offering after-school programs for teens and children, as well as cookbook and fiction book clubs for adults.

The township also provided a $5,000 grant that the district used to purchase a mobile computing lab, which will allow computer instruction classes and career workshops to be taught at the new location.

Library Director Heather Shah said because Stickney’s boundaries are south of the interstate, patrons who live south of I-55, in what is known as Central Stickney, have a geographic barrier they face in getting to the library.

“It’ s always been a problem,” she said. “There are so many of our patrons in Central Stickney. It is definitely a good thing for the library because we are a little bit in the justification game. If we are not serving our patrons what are we doing?”

The fact the building is right next to Charles Sahs School makes it a valuable resource to the school, too, Shlah said, and the district is working with the school to serve as a resource for those students.

Shlah offered her thanks to Township Supervisor Louis Viverito for his and the township’s support.

“It’s filling a need,” she said. “It’s a very nice space. He put up a fence, so the area is safe and secure. We are lucky.”

Shlah said she and staff are continuing to brainstorm ways to grow the library’s good fortune and are looking at ways to circulate books to the new facility in the future, as well as securing computer time fort those patrons.