Library Names Falcon After Deceased Librarian

One of the Evanston Public Library’s four newest peregrine falcons has been named after Catherine “Gigi” Galich, the former children’s librarian who was killed when she was hit by a motorcycle while riding her bicycle last summer.

Library officials honored Galich’s innovative spirit recently during the annual banding of the new falcons at the library this week, according to the Evanston Review.

Peregrine falcons have been nesting at the library, 1703 Orrington Ave., for about a dozen years - the Review reports. The banding helps scientists keep track of the species, which has made a comeback since being listed as endangered 16 years ago.

This year, Nona, the falcons’ mother, laid four eggs between March 30 and April 7, all of which hatched between May 8-10.

Galich died on June 30, 2014 while riding her bicycle in the 600 block of Church Street. Police have reported she was in the designated bike lane, but when crossing the street mid-block, she rode right into the path of a motorcyclist.

The motorcyclist was not charged criminally, but does face a lawsuit initiated by Galich’s husband.

According to the Review, Galich “made it a point” to attend the banding ceremonies when she was alive.

Gigi Galich made it a point to attend the banding when she was alive, said her mother, Lorna Galich, who attended the banding.

“I think it’s wonderful,” her mother, Lorna Galich, said of the tribute. “”It was all I hoped it would be.”

more via the Evanston Review

Related on Patch:

Husband of Librarian Killed in Crash Files Suit