Dwight’s library board president elected to state organization

Prairie Creek Library’s Board of Trustees President, Victoria Ferguson, recently was elected to the RAILS Board of Directors. Ferguson was sworn in at the organization’s July 24 board meeting and will fill one of the seats representing public libraries.

RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System) serves more than 1,200 academic, public, school, and specialized library agencies in northern and west-central Illinois. The system offers interlibrary loan deliveries, training, resource sharing, networking opportunities, discounts on services and more.

“Libraries play a vital role in our communities by providing access to knowledge, resources, and opportunities for lifelong learning. I wanted the opportunity to support and help shape both local and statewide library services from within, ensuring they continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson, Senior Manager of Fleet Centralized Training Programs for Constellation Energy Corporation, has lived in the area since 2016. She met her husband, Ryan Ferguson, who is originally from Dwight, when he was serving in the Navy from Groton, CT. “We decided to move to Dwight shortly after getting married to start our life together,” she said.

Ferguson believes libraries have played an important part in her life in many ways. “They have been a place to spend time with friends, a source of comfort and adventure when I was homesick, and a gateway to exploring new ideas, countries, and worlds through books. They even helped me discover that a career as a veterinarian was not the right path for me. Throughout my life, libraries have inspired curiosity, learning, and exploration.”

Ferguson is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve on both of these boards and truly appreciates the support and encouragement she has received. “I look forward to contributing to the continued success of our libraries and helping ensure they remain valuable resources for our communities.”