Plainfield Library Board Appoints New Trustee

Plainfield Library Board Appoints New Trustee

Romeoville-resident Erika Grotto was sworn in last night as the newest member of the Plainfield Public Library District’s Board of Trustees.

“Erika and her family are regular patrons at the Plainfield Library,” said Director Lisa Pappas. “She is very familiar with all that the library has to offer, and she will be able to use that experience to give her fellow patrons a voice on the Board of Trustees.”

Grotto has worked as a professional communicator her entire career, working in a variety of different industries, including newspapers, for nearly 20 years. She is currently a Senior Editor with the Healthcare Financial Management Association in Westchester, Ill., where she writes and edits articles for the company’s member magazine and produces a successful podcast.

“Recently, I served as a member of a team working to boost engagement in our organization by looking at available volunteer roles; an experience I believe would serve the library as well,” said Grotto.

She is no stranger to volunteering. She’s served on two commissions in the towns where she has lived. She helped plan community events in Tinley Park as a member of the Community Resources Commission and in Romeoville as a member of the Special Events Commission. She currently volunteers with AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services as a grief mentor.

Erika has a deep love of libraries and reading and has shared that love with her children.

“Staff members in the children’s area likely know me as the goofy mom who decided to do 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten one better and read 1,000 books before age 1 with my oldest child,” said Grotto. “I’m happy to report that my now-kindergartener is reading like a champ.”

The Plainfield Library Board of Trustees is a seven-member volunteer board that establishes library policy, hires the library administrator, adopts the annual library budget, authorizes library services and sets salaries.

Elected members of the board serve four-year terms, but Grotto was selected by the board to fill a vacancy that occurred when trustee Patricia Miller retired. Grotto will serve the remainder of Miller’s term through April 2021. Grotto then will have the option to seek re-election.
“My family’s life is richer because of the wealth of resources provided by the Plainfield Public Library District,” said Grotto. “I welcome the opportunity to give back to the institution that has given me so much, and to help other families in the area by serving the library in its mission.”


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