Long before she landed her current dream job — state representative for the 36th district of Illinois — Kelly Burke ('88) found work in her favorite place on campus.
“I have a soft spot in my heart for the gone-but-not-forgotten Browsing Room in the Union," she says. "I spent much time studying — and procrastinating — there my first two years. I finally asked the librarian, Ann Martel, for a job as a circulation clerk. It was the perfect job for an English major.
"I loved the job, talking with the patrons, the variety of books and magazines Ann curated, and the calming atmosphere of this cozy, out-of-the-way reading room. Ann was very kind to the student workers, even hosting year-end cookouts at her house for us.”
