Evetta
I’m one of six kids born in a nine year span. I was the second youngest. I moved to North Chicago in October 1955, the year I graduated from college. South Carolina State University. I had studied elementary education.
I was working in a drug store and I didn’t have any idea of what I wanted to do. It happened that my father’s sister was home visiting from North Chicago. I said “I’ll go back with Aunt Jessie.” It was a 5-minute decision.
But you had a degree in education. You didn’t intend to become a teacher?
I did student teaching in Charleston, South Carolina… I was not enjoying it.
And Aunt Jessie was your way out.
Right.
When had Aunt Jessie first come to North Chicago?
In the ‘20s or ‘30s. Her husband had died in World War II. Some time later, she met someone whose wife had died and so they were married.
I had worked in the library during summer school the previous year, so I had a little background and was able to get a job at the Waukegan Public Library. I worked there a time, but left it for about 15 months, working at the VA Hospital library before going back to the library in Waukegan. By then I was married, with children. Me being in Waukegan was better for them. Now, I have three children and 10 grandchildren.
One of the things I remember most about the early years in North Chicago was organizing a group of young children to begin attending daycare, held at Fort Sheridan. But I really enjoyed working at Waukegan Library. Just being able to help people.
I started off in theTechnical Process department; cataloging and that sort of thing. It was just me and one other lady. Filing cards, putting pockets in books. It was in the downstairs and I felt so isolated. So, I’d rush to get my work done, then go upstairs to help out there. That’s how I got started working in other departments.
Circulation does it all, and you come in contact with all kinds of people in the library. It was fun. People would call; they're at a tavern, somebody's having an argument, and they'd call for an answer.
Because of my background working with children, I eventually ended up in the Children’s department.
You’re retired, but from time to time you can be found helping out here at the North Chicago Public Library. What do you aspire to now?
At my age, just going to heaven [laughter]. I would like to travel more. I’ve been so isolated with COVID and whatnot. I have trouble walking now; I wish I had done more traveling earlier. I just want to go to Japan. Something attracts me there. And Ireland. Because in storytelling, you have so many stories set there.
You’ve been in the community for a long time, and you mentioned that you once felt a certain kind of celebrity– that so many people knew you from your work in the library. What’s something that you think people might not know about you?
People might say that I’m a timid person, but sometimes I’m just the opposite. When I speak out strongly, people are surprised. That came from my father’s side. I don’t think I’m timid, but I always think of the other person first. I’m reminded of a book; I Am Third, by football player Gale Sayers. God is first, my family is second, and I am third.
What’s the most important thing to you?
Family.
What three words would your children agree upon that describe you best?
She loved me.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.