Meet the board

Jessica Gingerevans – President

What brought you to Dunlap?

My husband and I are both originally from Illinois. After living in Boston, MA for school and Louisville, KY for work we knew we wanted to find somewhere to set down roots. In 2019, a new job opportunity for my husband found us returning to Central Illinois and starting our little family in Dunlap. We couldn’t be happier with that decision!

Why are you interested in establishing the Friends of Dunlap Public Library?

The library has been such an important resource for my family that I really wanted to find a way to give back. Libraries are vital to a healthy community, but are often underappreciated and underfunded. My hope is that through the Friends, we are able to rally around the library as the true center of the Dunlap community.

What is your favorite way to use our library?

All of the children’s programming! There are just so many opportunities for learning and entertainment. It is common to find my two little ones and me at the library three times a week or more! We adore Ms. Amy and storytime. I also love using Libby to check out eBooks for myself.

Jessica Johnson – Secretary

What brought you to Dunlap?

After living and working near Decatur for many years, my family and I moved to Dunlap in 2018 for work. We were so excited to find a cozy, friendly library in Dunlap that made us instantly feel at home.

Why are you interested in establishing the Friends of Dunlap Public Library?

Libraries need Friends! I envision this group of Friends becoming Dunlap Public Library ambassadors, supporting, and encouraging participation in events and programing offered by the library.

What is your favorite way to use our library?

My four children love to come spend an afternoon or lazy Saturday morning at the library, whether in story time, doing puzzles, or curling up with a pile of books. I use the library as an informal meeting place and an endless resource of not only books, but also magazines, games, and movies.

Brian Budzynski – Treasurer

What brought you to Dunlap?

We moved to the Dunlap area in 2019 for work. At the time, our kids were in or starting elementary school and we wanted to find a community that we could call home while they continued their schooling.

Why are you interested in establishing the Friends of Dunlap Public Library?

We’ve always been big fans of public libraries and the services they provide to the community. We live in the Peoria Public Library District, but when we moved here, we often found ourselves taking our kids to the wonderful programming offered by the Dunlap Library. When my wife, Erika, mentioned that there was interest in starting a friends group for the Dunlap Library, I wanted to be involved as a way to give back to a library that has provided much to us.

What is your favorite way to use our library?

We love the programming for children (what can be better than reading to animals?). Our children are getting older now, but continue to be active readers. The library plays no small part in keeping us supplied with a steady stream of material. I also just love the library building. It is such a wonderful space. On many occasions I’ve used it as a study/workspace while one of our kids is attending an activity at the nearby schools. It is really hard to beat a good library!

Anne Coghill – Board member at large

What brought you to Dunlap?

While my husband and I are both from Illinois, we bounced back and forth between Illinois and other states as we built careers.   We came back to Illinois in 2007, just as our daughter was starting middle school.  We’ve greatly enjoyed our years in Dunlap.

Why are you interested in establishing the Friends of the Dunlap Library?

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. While work travel transformed me into a Kindle user, I came to the Dunlap Library to attend yoga classes whenever I could. In retirement, I’m participating in more programs at the library and found them to be top notch. That said, programs like the ones the library sponsors, while generally free to patrons, have a cost and often those costs are not covered by tax dollars. I very much want to be part of a group that gives back to our library and provides for the purchase of materials and resources that expands the programs offered by our library.  

What’s your favorite way to use our library?

I enjoy the yoga classes, particularly summer yoga under the trees. I also participate in several book clubs. The book discussions are so much fun and encourage me to read genres that I typically wouldn’t. I really enjoy the camaraderie and find that the questions posed by the librarians are thought provoking. These days my Kindle is gathering dust as I listen to audiobooks through Hoopla and other audio platforms sponsored by the library and read hardcover books.

Celeste Restrepo – Board member at large

What brought you to Dunlap?

I’m a native Peorian, and 20 years ago I moved to our current home to be part of the Dunlap School District. When my children were young, we started going to the summer reading program at the Dunlap Public Library. I fell in love with this library, and I found myself arranging my work commitments to take advantage of the wonderful summer reading program events with my children.

Why were you interested in establishing the Friends of the Dunlap Library?

My entire life I’ve been passionate about libraries. My parents instilled a love of books and libraries, and some of my earliest  memories are going to the main branch of the Peoria Public Library with my father.  As I grew older, my love affair with libraries continued to grow. I realized that libraries are more than a place to get books. They are community centers and through the programming offered, patrons of all ages have the opportunity for education and personal growth. As costs rise, it is imperative that libraries have Friends groups to help support the costs of today’s multidimensional programs and offerings. I jumped at the chance to be part of the founding group of the Friends of the Dunlap Public Library because I believe so passionately in the need of a group such as ours to help the library fulfill its mission and goals.

What’s your favorite way to use our library?

Of course it goes without saying that I love to check out materials, but my favorite things are the activities like CACTUS (Creative Artists Tackle Unfinished Stuff) Club, book discussion groups, and special programs. As a result of attending these programs at the library I have made some of my best friendships, and my business, Creative Soul Gallery, was a result of my involvement with CACTUS Club.