One of the biggest accomplishments during Stan Rush’s tenure on the Illinois Prairie Public Library board of trustees is the opening of the new library branch in Germantown Hills.  (Photo courtesy of IP Public Library)

After 37 years, Stan Rush is retiring from the Illinois Prairie Public Library Board of Trustees.

There will be an open house honoring Stan at the Metamora Branch library on Wednesday, June 28, 5 to 7 p.m.

Rush began his service on May 6, 1980 as a board member.  On May 2, 1995 he was elected president of the board and now retires from that position.

His career on the board has seen a number of changes.  The bookmobile was still in operation when Stan joined the board.  It ran until 1995, providing materials to elementary schools in the library district area.

He has seen the Roanoke Branch move twice, from the basement of the dentist’s office to the store front where the floral shop is now.  Then the library branch moved to the old funeral home location where it resides today.

He saw the Spring Bay branch library move from the old high school building to the recycled tavern where it is now.  Moving there, the library was able to offer handicapped access to the library.

The Benson Branch expanded when the Benson village council moved to a different building, and the library bought the old building next door.  Knocking a hole in the wall gave the branch double the square footage and opened up a whole new space for patrons.

Throughout all of these changes, Rush has advised the board, administration and the public about the business of the library.  He shared his background in the planning and execution of all these projects.

In recognition of his efforts, the Alliance Library System awarded him the Trustee of the Year in 2004.

More recently, Rush has led the board on its most ambitious project of all — a new library branch in Germantown Hills.  Christened the “Marcella Schneider Branch at Germantown Hills,” this building is the largest in the district and boasts two study rooms and a meeting room.

—  Rush retires as president of Illinois Prairie Library Board  —