West Cook News

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 11:30 am, the Town of Cicero Public Library celebrated the inauguration of two new rooms with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The event saw the community reflecting on the library’s history and its expansion over the years. The atmosphere was filled with gratitude as the quiet rooms and makerspace were unveiled.

Town Chaplain and Board President for the Library, Ismael Vargas, began the ceremony with words of appreciation. “First and foremost, thank you to my colleagues and our director, Sandra Tomschin—truly a blessing. We come together, and we meet and try to live, look, and seek a better way to serve our community of Cicero,” said Vargas.

He emphasized moving forward with a goal of improvement through a positive mindset.

Following his prayer, Sandra Tomschin, Director of Cicero Public Library, expressed her appreciation for serving the public. “I just feel all the love, so much love. First, I would like to thank God for the blessing of my position—I love serving the public, and I think I am in the right place,” she said.

Tomschin thanked Town President Larry Dominick and board members for their support as well as partners District 201 and District 99 for their collaboration. She also acknowledged her husband Tom Tomschin for his inspiration.

She concluded by recognizing financial support from Cicero CDBG program which made these new rooms possible along with praising her staff for embracing new opportunities.

The two new rooms—the makerspace designed for education and crafts; and quiet rooms providing serene environments—represent significant enhancements to library offerings often found in wealthier neighborhoods. “These spaces are gonna be for our community. This is a safe place. We are a community center. We are a building of knowledge. We are the history for the future, and we are Cicero,” declared Tomschin.

The ceremony concluded with ribbon cuttings symbolizing a new chapter in serving the community.

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