The numbers are in and if they are any indication, the Youth Services Department of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library is drawing record participation. Consider that its outreach programming for children under the age of 11 increased 56% last year, and for teen audiences it increased 106%.
Trixie Dantis with the Mouse from the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
But that’s just one of the ways to measure how much Trixie Dantis, Youth Services Manager, has transformed the department.
Just last week, Dantis was named Youth Services Librarian of the Year by the Illinois Library Association, for her outstanding contribution in library service to young people. Since its inception in 1971, this award has been presented to individuals who exemplify resourcefulness, professionalism and caring in their service to young people.
Colleagues of Dantis credit not only her innovative programs but her collaborative approach with local teachers and schools in engaging more students. For starters, she established a Teacher Advisory Committee, bringing together educators from all grade levels and she meets quarterly with middle school and high school librarians.
Dantis also created paid apprentice and internship opportunities for students and was instrumental in implementing library card registration through school enrollment.
Dantis helps a young patron solder a simple LED electronics project.
As an extension of her collaborative spirit, she created a Teen Advisory Board, Middle School Volunteer Panel and Tween Advisory Group. She also expanded outreach to underserved populations through initiatives such as “Tinker Tuesdays,” a monthly in-school program designed for high school students and transitional young adults ages 18–25.
There’s more. Dantis has overseen significant improvements to the physical library space and its collections. She introduced Welcome Baby library cards and helped the library achieve Family Place certification. She helped create an Accessibility Support Collection, established a tween-focused space called The Hub, expanded study room access, implemented age-specific reading programs, and introduced Lit Crates for tweens and teens.
Dantis’ colleagues at the library are thrilled for her, but they are not surprised that she is drawing state-wide recognition.
Dantis with her staff after earning the Family Place recognition as a welcoming, developmentally appropriate early learning environment.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects Trixie’s extraordinary commitment to youth services and the lasting impact she has made on children, families and the library profession,” says Dana Revilla, Deputy Director of the library. “Statewide honors like this are rare and speak to the significance of her leadership, innovation and dedication.”
Dantis has led the Youth Services Department for the last eight years. Prior to that, she worked in adult programming and teen services at the library. In reflecting about the award, she credited her team, whom she describes as an “incredibly passionate and creative group of colleagues.”
“What drives everything we do in youth services is staying responsive to the changing needs and interests of young people and families,” Dantis says, “and making sure every kid has equitable access to what we offer.”
Dantis will receive her award at the 2026 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference, in October in Peoria.
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