The Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL) is proud to announce that Jade Parks, Teen Program Coordinator, has been recognized as the Illinois Library Association’s Young Adult Library Professional of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding service to young adults by creating and implementing library programs and services that identify and meet needs in their community.
In less than two years, Parks led a transformation in the unstaffed Teen Central into a flourishing young adult community space that experienced a 25% increase in use. She helped create a new teen desk
Jade Parks, Teen Program Coordinator of the Downers Grove Public Library and ILA’s 2025 Young Adult Library Professional of the Year.
staffed during peak hours, populated the teen room with unique teen-friendly furniture, stocking the room with essential supplies such as chargers and dry-erase boards, and expanded passive programming in the form of additional in-library use Maker Kits and a new Question of the Week activity that helped build positive relationships between teens and staff. Parks’ contributions helped teen services grow so much that a second full-time teen librarian position was created in early 2025.
Parks recognized the importance of teen mental health and partnered with the National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI) DuPage County to start a social-emotional well-being program series called Teen Life: Conversations. In addition, she started a peer-led support group facilitated by library social work interns called Teen Table Talk. During this time, she launched a Teen Library Council, which empowered teens to view themselves as real library stakeholders. Additionally, Parks values the importance of reaching teens outside the library’s physical building; a Discord server helps teens to stay updated virtually on library programs, volunteering opportunities, and reading suggestions. In addition, she also brought library programs on the road to local schools so that she could meet teens where they are. Her leadership, creativity, and passion have made a lasting impact on both the library and the Downers Grove community.
“Jade has taken the foundation built by our great former teen librarians and elevated the space and services to an even more welcoming and teen-focused level,” said Van McGary, Adult & Teen Services Manager. “Her hard work and dedication has helped grow teen services from a single librarian to a collaborative team across multiple departments, which has brought greater teen engagement from the community than ever before. Throughout the sweeping changes to the space, workflow, procedures, and more, Jade has demonstrated adaptability and teamwork, which are cornerstones to the success and progress of our department and library.”
About the Downers Grove Public Library
The Downers Grove Public Library welcomes all to discover, grow, play, and learn. DGPL serves a population of approximately 50,000. Community members can enjoy books, movies, music, programs for all ages, readers’ advisory and reference support, online databases and materials, study rooms, community connection, and so much more at the library. Each year, DGPL circulates over 1 million items, hosts nearly 2,000 programs, and welcomes over 430,000 visitors. Learn more about DGPL at dglibrary.org.
About the Illinois Library Association
The Illinois Library Association (ILA) is a professional membership organization that represents Illinois libraries and the millions who depend on them. Founded in 1896, it is the third-largest state library association and serves as a chapter within the American Library Association. ILA is comprised of 2,000 personal and more than 500 institutional members, made up of public, academic, school, and special libraries, as well as librarians, library staff, trustees, students, and library vendors. For more information, visit ila.org.