The Lake Bluff Public Library is saddened to announce the loss of a beloved longtime staff member, colleague, and friend. Donna M. Williams passed away on December 31, 2020 following a brief illness.

Donna joined the staff in 1991 and spent 28 years working with the children of Lake Bluff. She was a tremendous advocate for children and she had an incredible knack for finding the perfect book for the right reader at the right time. As a colleague, she was an invaluable friend and mentor. More than one of our current staff members chose to pursue a career in libraries because of Donna.

And of course, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge her as perhaps the greatest cat enthusiast on staff.

We are so grateful to have had Donna as part of the Lake Bluff Library family for so many years. We know she wouldn’t want us to make a fuss, but the fact is that we will miss her tremendously. Our condolences to the Williams family, particularly Donna’s daughter, Kathleen.