Jack and Marlene Shales

Directors Emeriti

       Jack and Marlene Shales made a great team, working together to help the community and touching many lives. They were high school sweethearts at Elgin High School, graduating with the class of 1949. Together they raised four children and created a life in Elgin.

       They passionately believed in giving to their community, serving on several nonprofit boards and financially supporting many organizations to help others. For example, Jack was involved in United Way of Elgin campaigns for more than 60 years. A health professional who worked at several area healthcare organizations including Sherman Hospital, Marlene served on many local boards including the Elgin City Council for two terms and the Gail Borden Library Foundation from 2001 to 2018. 

 

Some of the local organizations supported by the Shales included:
  • Elgin Boys and Girls Club
  • Ecker Center for Mental Health
  • YWCA Elgin
  • Elgin YMCA
  • Community Crisis Center
  • Elgin Symphony Orchestra
  • Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
  • Renz Addiction Counseling Center
  • The Literacy Connection

 

       The Shales felt strongly about the importance of literacy and were huge supporters of Gail Borden Public Library. They were very involved in planning and opening of both the Rakow Branch and the South Elgin Branch. Jack was a past Library board member and served on the Library’s Foundation Board from 2010 until the time of his death, January 26, 2018.

       The couple not only had a giving spirit but a wonderful sense of humor! They portrayed a king and queen at a Gail Borden Library Foundation Medieval-themed fundraiser in 2011. Jack was “kidnapped” by wicked pirates and taken to a boat on the Fox River, while Marlene watched from shore, wringing her hands and crying with worry over her husband the kidnapped king. Onlookers were given the opportunity to make contributions toward the “ransom” while being entertained by these tongue-in-cheek performances.

      The Shales legacy of supporting literacy continues with the Jack and Marlene Shales Book Collection on the library’s bookmobile. Traveling to about 60 stops including neighborhoods, parks and preschools each month, the bookmobile brings library materials to those who cannot get to a library branch. Since it began operating in 2019, the bookmobile has brought thousands of books to residents of all ages—an enduring testament of the Shales’ commitment to the community.