By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
with Library Staff member Kathi Fluck
What began as a simple idea is now a reality at the Geneseo Public Library.
According to information received, it all began when Library Director Claire Crawford voiced her thoughts and said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Reading Garden at our library?”
That first hopeful thought of Crawford’s soon took root and conversations with friends, library patrons, family, and fellow library directors led to something more concrete. An architect was consulted, plans were drawn, and little by little, the vision began to take shape.
“Fast forward to April 2026,” Fluck shared.
“Six beautiful benches arrived in Geneseo – solid, elegant, and far more striking than anyone imagined during the months of planning and anticipation.”
Three of the benches were made possible through the generosity of the Geneseo Rotary Club, and three benches were dedicated by local families (and Geneseo Library patrons): The Eunice Bean family, the Harry and Pegs Culbertson family; and the Vern and Karen Cathelyn family.
“Each bench is more than a place to sit, it is a place to remember, to reflect, and to honor lives that continue to shape the community in quiet, but lasting ways,” Fluck penned and added, The Rotary Club’s contribution did not happen by chance. Karen Cathelyn, a member of the Geneseo Rotary, led the effort, dedicating countless hours to securing grant funding and ensuring the project met every requirement. Her work helped transform an idea into something tangible – something people can now gather around, share stories upon, and pass down through generations.
This all happened at the same time when Crawford quietly reached out to patrons who might want to be part of something enduring. Their response was heartfelt and generous, and soon, the memorial benches became a meaningful thread woven into the garden’s story – a way for families to create a lasting presence in a space dedicated to learning, reflection, and connection.
But the benches are only one part of a much larger vision unfolding behind the Geneseo Public Library.
Fluck said two pergolas soon will provide shade, and a raised, stadium-style seating area will create space for classes, programs, and quiet reflection. Nearby, three storybook benches, painted by artists at Smith Studio, RutabagA Art Gallery and the Geneseo Art League, will add color, creativity, and a sense of wonder. These benches are expected to arrive in May.
Local sculptor Sheilah Wigant-McGee added her own artistic touch, creating small child-sized stools and the beloved “boy and girl reading” statues already in place within the garden. Her work is familiar to many – original versions of the statues welcome visitors at the library’s main entrance.
In the garden, two white rocking chairs now sit nearby, offering a peaceful place to soothe a child or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
Surrounding it all, nature is coming to life. Trees and shrubs have already been planted, and soon, native Illinois plants will fill the space, thanks to the “Wild Ones of the Quad Cities,” a group dedicated to promoting sustainable, native landscaping.
And just steps away, the Butterfly Garden – now entering its second year, continues to grow as a companion space. Plans are underway for both adult-and-child-sized butterfly wings for photos, along with a large caterpillar sculpture by Wigant-McGee.
Educational programs for children, including butterfly-themed classes, will continue to bring the space to life.
“It’s been a true community effort,” Crawford said. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of local businesses and our generous patrons.”
Those contributions, both financial and in-kind (providers of materials who gave significant breaks in the cost) will be honored on a ceramic plaque displayed at the entrance to the Reading Garden inside the library.
“We are forever grateful,” Crawford added, to everyone who gave, no matter the size of their contribution.”
A grand opening of the Reading Garden is planned for the week of the Fourth of July, with activities, food, and prizes for the community.
Fluck added, “And for those whose names and memories now live within the garden, and for those who will discover them in the years to come, it is already something more: a place where stories are not only read, but quietly remembered.
Here, among books, blossoms, and shared spaces, the act of reading becomes a bridge between generations – where memories endure, learning deepens, and new stories take root and grow with each person who pauses, sits, and turns a page.”