The day can't help but get a little brighter when George Manno greets you at the circulation desk with a smile, a friendly greeting, or a joke. But George is so much more than a friendly face -- music-lover, violinmaker, photographer, teacher, philosopher -- and above all, a one-man advocate for the library.
George has led an interesting path to his present part-time staff position at the library. His first career was in making musical instruments, specializing in the repair and restoration of antique violins. He was awarded a Ludwig Vogelstein Grant allowing him to change careers -- this time to commercial photography. He did not stray too far from music, however, because he specialized in taking pictures of musical instruments. One of his most treasured gifts is an original Richard Avedon photo. Next, George moved into teaching photography at Prairie State College as well as teaching some computer courses.
Presently, George takes time to continue to explore his many interests as well as to read extensively. One favorite topic is spiritual enlightenment. His philosophy is: "You can't create outward peace until you experience inward peace." A current favorite book is William Coffin's Cradle, a compilation of philosophy/theology reflecting a universal religion of peace. George praises the author who elaborates upon the idea: " I am my brother's keeper."
After a few minutes with George, conversation inevitably steers toward the library. A Park Forest resident, he is ebullient about the new direction of our library. "We're not the library of our parents anymore," George explains. "Of course, a great boss with vision for a 21 st century library really helps." He sees the new library as "a part of the community: an avenue to knowledge, a quiet space, a place for reflection as well as a place for a lively exchange of ideas and an environment for families to work and learn together."
George feels strongly that one of his most imp jobs is to communicate
to the public that they are welcome as soon as they enter the door; that,
his purpose is to share and help the public in any way. "The library is
a wonderful place that can take you everywhere, to fuel your imagination."
"It is a place that can take you everywhere: you can travel the Serengeti on a camel or climb the summit of Kilimanjaro while sitting in the reading room; you can transport yourself to Auschwitz or Treblinka; you can travel to the moon with Neil Armstrong. What an exciting time to work at this library."
We're glad you're here, George.
- Susan McGoldrick
The Books by my Bedside...
Realizing Change: Vipassana Meditation in Action
by Ian Hetherington
A ten-day meditation course filled with recollections
and descriptions of the subtle yet profound experiences activated by the
practice of Vipassana meditation.
Sleeping in Caves: A Sixties Himalayan Memoir
by Marilyn Stablein
Beginning in 1965, an 18 year-old Stablein
comes to a fork in the road of her young life. After spending the summer
in Europe, she decides to venture on to India and Nepal instead of returning
to her home in California. Stablein raises the spirit of time without waxing
on with nostalgia or self-importance.
Cuba and its Music: From the First Drums to the
Mambo by Ned Sublette
Six hundred pages! The book does not get beyond
the year 1952. It braids Cuban history with music criticism to illustrate
the essential syncretism of Cuban culture. At the end of the book, Sublette
claims that Cuban music was crucial to the birth of rock and roll.
All reviews by George Manno