Wikipedia

Beth Mueller

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller (November 7, 1934 -- May 24, 2021) was a librarian in the greater Chicago area who consulted with various suburban municipalities to build their public libraries. She helped found the Justice Public Library and the Indian Prairie Library, among others.[1][2] She later became the Director of the Appalachian Regional Library in North Carolina, where she oversaw funding for the 2005 expansion of the Public Library in Boone, NC.[3]

Elizabeth Mueller
BornNovember 7, 1934
LaGrange, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMay 24, 2021(2021-05-24) (aged 86)
Boone, North Carolina, U.S.

Career

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Mueller was employed by the Suburban Library System as a Consulting Services Director.[4] The Suburban Library System merged with the Metropolitan Library System in 2004.[5] Many of her projects were funded by Project Plus, an Illinois mechanism for using federal funds from the Library Services and Construction Act. This project allowed communities without libraries to receive funds for preliminary services - such as a bookmobile or study room - before breaking ground on a library, if the community filing a funding referendum.[6] In her role as a consultant, Mueller informed the public about Project Plus[7] and discussed program eligibility requirements with prospective communities.[8] She was also responsible for arranging preliminary services[1] and developing local fundraising strategies, including lobbying for referendum proposals.[9][10]

Honors

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Mueller was 1993 Illinois Librarian of the Year.[11]

Mueller was mentioned in the congressional record of the United States for her work on the Justice, IL, Public Library. She was named “among those most instrumental in the creation of this library district."[12]

References

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  1. 1 2 Robison, Arlene Ramey. "Historical Notes On Justice Public Library District". Justice Public Library. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  2. ↑ Kampwirth, Robert (25 September 2013). "Mr. Robert Kampwirth" (PDF). "Darien, Illinois Oral History Project" (Interview). Interviewed by Barrett, Deb. Indian Prairie Public Library. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Mueller, Elizabeth (1995), "Project Description" (PDF), Building Expansion Project, Appalachian Regional Library, retrieved 16 October 2025
  4. ↑ "Mueller, Elizabeth A.". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. 3 June 2021. p. SS1-5. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ "Library History". Woodridge Public Library. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  6. ↑ Mueller, Elizabeth (1984). "Project PLUS: Illinois' "Headstart" Program for the Unserved". Illinois Libraries. 66 (8). Illinois State Library: 413–415.
  7. ↑ Horton, Luci (23 May 1971). "Municipalities Examine Library Grants Project". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. p. s_a4. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via ProQuest.
  8. ↑ Carroll, S. R. (17 March 1991). "BOOK WARS Libraries fight for reading room Districts draw lines in conflict: [FINAL EDITION]". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. p. 3. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via ProQuest.
  9. ↑ Morgan, Jane; Mueller, Elizabeth (1989). "Holding a Successful Referendum". The Bottom Line. 2 (2). Emerald: 18–21. doi:10.1108/eb025167 – via Emerald Insight.
  10. ↑ Temkin, Jody (2 November 1989). "Some resist ambitious library plan". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. p. D1. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via ProQuest.
  11. ↑ "Librarian of the Year Award". Illinois Library Association. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Justice, IL, Public Library: 10th Anniversary". Congressional Record. United States Congress. 7 September 1988. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
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