NL_062019

newlenoxpatriot.com news
the new lenox patriot | June 20, 2019 | 7
Broccolo leaves library board after 3 decades
Sean Hastings, Editor
Lou Broccolo spent the
last 34 years on the New
Lenox Public Library
Board and his time on it finally
came to an end at the
June 10 meeting.
He joked that he started
on the board when he was
10 years old. Broccolo, a
retired middle school social
studies/history teacher,
started on the board in
1985, long before the current
library was built.
He saw the library
through many changes, including
the new building
process that was completed
in 2001.
“I’m very proud, and I
was just one little bit, but
I’m very proud I was a part
of getting this referendum
passed and getting this
building built,” Broccolo
said. “I think, if it’s not
the best looking building
in Will County, it’s pretty
close. I know I’m prejudice,
but I think it’s a beautiful
building.”
And it just dawned on
him that he spent most
of his time on the board
working in the current
building.
Broccolo lost the first
time he ran for a board position
and he did not think
it would bother him that
much, but it did, he said.
“When I ran the first
time, I never said ‘I’m
going to do this, this and
this,’” he said. “I was
just encouraged to run by
Georgia Madden, who has
passed away since then.
She worked here and said
‘you’re in here all the time,
why don’t you run for the
library board.”
Part of what Broccolo
was known for was his
sense of humor, so that
shined through at times.
The second time he ran
unopposed and told Madden
if he somehow lost that
time, he was going to put a
“for sale sign” in front of
his house because he could
not be a “nobody.” And
that was the start of a 34-
year tenure.
“I was kidding one time
and told [Madden] when
she was still working here
a number of years ago,
and I said ‘it’s your fault
that I’m on the board.’ She
told me, ‘I told you to run,
I didn’t tell you to stay on
forever.’”
Just before Broccolo accepted
his resolution from
the board, the board swore
in its elected members
from April’s election. Bonnie
Ulstad, Michelle Monbrod
and Alex Vancina all
took the oath.
Monbrod was named the
secretary of the board and
read Broccolo his proclamation.
“It was an honor to read
that proclamation as my
first duty as newly appointed
secretary of the
board,” Monbrod said. “I
love him like a father. He
was my eighth grade history
teacher.”
Broccolo taught in Tinley
Park in D146 for 36
years and retired in 2007.
“I loved my job until
the last kid walked out the
door,” he said. “Now, I
love being retired.”
Broccolo most recently
served as a member of the
policy, and building and
grounds committee. He
also served as a president
before as well.
He said being on the
board was a way to stay involved
in the community.
Lou Broccolo smiles with the cake the board got for
him on his last day with the board. Photo Submitted
“I think the community
is a wonderful community
and it’s given me and
my family a lot,” he said.
“Doing this was a way
to give back. I think I’ve
done a good job. I think
I’ve had a little bit of common
sense… You’re a part
of something bigger than
yourself.”
June 25 • July
30 • August 27
5:00-9:00 PM
New Lenox Village Commons
(815) 462-6400 • www.newlenox.net/events