Contact Library Staff
The friendly staff of the Thomas Ford Memorial Library is ready to answer your questions and help you with your library needs. You may call us at (708) 246-0520 or email us at info@fordlibrary.org. Here are key staff members to contact.
Ted Bodewes, Library Director
bodewes@fordlibrary.org
Ted became Library Director in 2016. Ted received his Masters in Library and Information Science from Dominican University in 2010. Contact him with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Library policies
- Library governance
- Gifts and bequests to the library
- Library relations with the community of Western Springs
Kat Lewandowski, Administrator
kathleen@fordlibrary.org
Kat joined the library’s administration in 2012. Contact her with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Meeting room reservations
- Items for posting on the Community Bulletin Board
- Library Board of Trustee agenda items
- Building issues
Sandy Frank, Head of the Circulation Department
frank@fordlibrary.org
Sandy has been the Head of the Circulation Department since 1996. Contact her with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Library cards
- Interlibrary loan
- Overdues and fines
- Lost books
Uma Nori, Head of Youth Services
Uma, Head of Youth Services since 2008, is a graduate of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science from Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois. She also has a MS in Life and Plant Sciences from the University of Hyderabad in India. Contact her with your questions or concerns about the following
- Reference and information services for children and caregivers
- Library materials for children and caregivers
- Reserving library materials for children
- Library events and programs for children
- School visits for elementary grades (K-5)
- Content for children and parents on the website
- Library visits and outreach activities for children
Cassie Freeman, Youth Services Librarian
Cassie joined the Youth Services team in 2022. She received her MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2013, and also has a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from Loyola University Chicago. Contact her with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Reference and information services for children, caregivers and educators
- Reserving and ordering Youth Services Department library materials
- Youth Services Department displays
- Library events, storytimes, and programs for children
Matthew Wenslauskis, Head of Adult Services
Matthew has been Head of Adult Services since April 2017. He received his library degree from the Indiana University’s School of Library and Information Science. Contact him with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Reference and information services
- Library materials for adults
- Reserving library materials
- Library events for adults
- Library displays
- Book-a-Librarian (half-hour librarian consulting)
Rachel Hoover, Adult Services Librarian
Rachel, an Adult Services Librarian since May 2011, received her library degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Library and Information Studies in 2007. Contact her (email preferred) with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Reference and information services
- Library materials for adults
- Reserving library materials
- Library events for adults
- The library website (We do not accept link submissions)
- Book-a-Librarian (half-hour librarian consulting)
Jennie Stevens, Adult Services Librarian
Jennie has been working in a variety of libraries since 2013, and earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Denver after attending the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for undergrad. Contact her with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Book Club Discussions and Resources
- The monthly Thomas Ford Library Book Discussion
- Reference and information services
- Library materials for adults
- Reserving library materials
- Library events for adults
- Book-a-Librarian (half-hour librarian consulting)
Lily Mayfield, Teen & Tween Services Librarian
Lily became the Teen and Tween Services Librarian in August 2022, after working in Adult Services for one year at Thomas Ford Memorial Library. She earned her MLIS from Dominican University’s School of Information Studies. Contact her with your questions or concerns about the following:
- Library materials for teens and tweens
- Library events, programs, and services for teens and tweens
- School visits for middle and high school
- Volunteer opportunities for teens and tweens