Member Spotlight - Jennie Mills
September 15, 2025
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This week's ILA member spotlight features Jennie Mills. Jennie is the director of the Shorewood-Troy Public Library, and she is a director-at-large on the ILA Executive Board. She is also a member of the Finance Committee and the board liaison to the Intellectual Freedom Committee.
We asked Jennie to answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Jennie.
A little background on Jennie
Jennie has been actively involved in the Illinois library community for over 25 years. She is the director of the Shorewood-Troy Library, celebrating her 15th anniversary there this year. She currently serves on the Board of the Illinois Library Association. Jennie is also the Chair of the LIMRiCC Cooperative for Health Insurance and Unemployment Insurance for Illinois Libraries. She also volunteers as a fiction reviewer for Library Journal.
How did you get your start in libraries?
I come from a library family! My mother was the long-time public library director in Arthur, IL. I grew up in libraries - I volunteered in my Mom's library, and haunted my own hometown library as a child and teen. It was my safe, happy place. I don't think I ever really seriously considered another career.
Best Advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?
As a director, the best advice came from my first city manager. It was to remember that you'll often sit down with the same people on the opposite side of the negotiating table, over and over again. Sometimes, you'll win. Sometimes, they'll win. Once one round of negotiations are over? Shake hands, shake it off, have a meal together, or talk about each other's families. Remember that each of you are just people, trying to do your best.
Any advice to newcomers working in libraries?
Take every opportunity you can to learn something new, or join a new committee, even if it's outside of what you think you know how to do. I've worked with LIMRiCC, the insurance cooperative, for over 10 years now. I didn't understand health insurance and how it worked when I started, but I do now, and I feel like I make an impact for our member libraries.
When and why did you become a member of ILA?
Oh, gosh, I don't even remember when I first joined. Probably when I first became a professional librarian. I became a member first to network, but ILA is so helpful to me in staying up-to-date on what is going on in our field. ILA helps lobby for important legislation for libraries. It just is vital to what librarians, all librarians, are doing in Illinois.
How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally?
The conferences have helped me continue to remain current in my field. I've also met people in ILA who have helped me network professionally.
What is your proudest professional moment to date?
In 2012, with five other libraries, Shorewood-Troy Library created the Pinnacle Library Cooperative. I'm proud of the services that PLC is able to offer our patrons.
I'm also proud of the individual leaps that I see in my library - I'm pleased whenever I see a jump in circulation year over year, or in programming numbers. I was pleased when we received a LSTA grant to remodel the first floor, or a DCEO grant to build a new parking lot.
Careers aren't built on one big capstone, really. They're built on lots of little achievements. I want to celebrate all the wins!
Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?
Hardcover all the way.
Favorite authors?
Megan Abbott, Alix Harrow, Terry Pratchett, Ali Hazelwood, Stephen King.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what five books would you want with you to pass the time until being rescued?
The Shining, Anne of Green Gables, Practical Magic, Gilead, and Alice in Wonderland.
Cat or Dog?
Cats :-)
Favorite film, podcast, or television show?
Movie: Eternal Sunshine in the Spotless Mind
TV Show: Tie between Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and Star Trek: The Next Generation
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