Get to know recurring monthly donor Justin and his passion for supporting the community through his library!
Justin is a media and entertainment professional, combining media and branding to create unique customer experiences for different companies. Originally from outside of Philadelphia, he moved to Chicago in 2017 and has been finding ways to contribute and connect to his Logan Square community. One of the ways he’s been able to do so is by becoming a Chicago Public Library Foundation recurring monthly donor. Get to know Justin and his love for learning and public libraries!
How did you first get involved with the Library Foundation?
When I moved here, I would visit my branch and wanted to connect to my local community in Logan Square. I value what my library branch does for the neighborhood and wanted to give back. So, I did some digging and found out how to donate and best support the library.
What inspired you to become a recurring monthly donor to the Chicago Public Library Foundation?
I’ve always been an avid reader and learner and I’m a huge advocate for both. I believe learning is essential to the development of our civilization and when I think about libraries, I think of them as a place that promotes learning in all forms. Libraries are places that make all types of learning accessible to all people. The more that we support libraries as a free learning resource for all, the more that we can level the playing field and provide opportunities for all to have access to these learning resources.
How do you see your contributions making an impact in the community?
As a monthly donor, I love seeing stories from library branches in my email. I also walk by my library branch and see what’s going on in there. There’s always events and cool programs happening and I’m proud to be contributing to this.
What Library program or event has resonated with you?
There are so many! I love that the library expands learning opportunities beyond books and walls of the library branches. A memory that sticks out is when a friend and I were able to visit Brookfield Zoo with the museum passes given out at the Library. This was such a great way of providing accessibility to other city learning opportunities.
How has the Library influenced your life or the lives of people in your life?
As a curious person, I love that the Library has allowed me to find books and things that I love and know and open my eyes to so many other books or research. It truly just represents a deep well of opportunity to explore. There is a limitless opportunity to learn.
Also, anytime that I’m talking to someone, and they feel their access to learning is limited, I point them to the Chicago Public Library and tell them about all the opportunities they can find there.
What’s your favorite book?
Tough question! If I had to choose my favorite book of all time, it’s Demian by Hermann Hesse. It’s made a huge impact on my life and it’s a book I share with others all the time. It’s not even his most popular book but it’s made a huge impact on my life. It’s a book I share with others all the time when they’re looking for something interesting and about personal development.
Thank you, Justin, for all that you do as a monthly supporter. You sustain access to lifelong learning resources for more than 330,000 Chicagoans every year.
You can make more possible at our Chicago Public Library, too. Become a monthly donor today and fuel lifelong journeys for Chicagoans of all ages.
