Immediate Departure At La Grange Park Library

LA GRANGE PARK, IL – Nothing seemed amiss before the sudden resignation last fall of La Grange Park Public Library's executive director.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained Juanita Harrell's resignation letter and her correspondence with library board members in her final days.

In a reply to the request, Gabriel Oppenheim, the interim executive director, said the library had no documents showing any disciplinary measures were taken against Harrell.

Also, no lawsuits, complaints or claims were filed against Harrell during her six months at the helm, Oppenheim said.

Harrell emailed the board her resignation letter on the morning of Monday, Sept. 18. That was four days after the library held a public event celebrating her six months and praising her work.

Her letter consisted of two sentences: "After careful thought and consideration, effectively immediately, I have decided to resign from my position as the Executive Director. I appreciate the opportunity that was given to me."

A few hours later, board member David Swainson responded to her on his personal email account, rather than his library one. He said he wanted to reach out as a regular person, not as a board member.

He said he was sorry Harrell was leaving.

"If there's anything I can do to help you, or if you want someone to listen to you, please let me know," Swainson said. "I told you last week that I'm an ally and I meant that. Any conversation that we have would be off the record and would not be repeated without your permission. I just want you to be happy."

The board's president, Julie Gies, emailed Harrell a day before the Sept. 14 public event. She said the meet and greet would be fun.

Gies also said she would like to connect with Harrell about the packet for the board's Sept. 20 meeting.

Gies and Harrell then exchanged a few emails about setting up a meeting. None of their messages indicated anything was wrong. It's not uncommon for the head of a public body to speak with the director about a coming board meeting.

In an email the day after the event for Harrell, Gies asked the director how it went. She said she wanted to meet with Harrell 45 minutes before the Sept. 20 meeting.

Harrell responded, "The meet and greet went well!"

She also said she could meet with Gies before the meeting.

On the Friday before her resignation, Harrell let the board know that the library received painting bids. The good news, she said, was that the library was able to save money.

Harrell, who had already resigned, did not attend the Sept. 20 meeting.

After a closed session at the meeting, the board unanimously voted for Oppenheim as the interim director. The board did not alert the public that such a vote would take place, an apparent violation of the state Open Meetings Act.

In response to a Patch inquiry this week, the board president, Gies, said in an email, "(T)he library does not comment on personnel matters nor are we currently searching for a permanent executive director."

Before her La Grange Park job, Harrell was the director of the DuPage Law Library for 2½ years, according to a news release when she was hired in La Grange Park.

Before the law library, Harrell was the health and wellness librarian at the Oak Park Public Library.

Harrell couldn't be reached for comment.