North Suburban Library District Director retires after 13 years at the helm
After 13 years as Executive Director of the North Suburban Library District, Mary Petro is retiring and moving on to a post-retirement career as a mental health counselor.
More than 40 years ago, Mary Petro began her career in library science. She worked as a librarian in several communities throughout Northern Illinois, among them: Villa Park Public Library; Western Illinois University; Northern Illinois University; Briggs Lawrence County Public Library; Belvidere Public Library; Gail Borden Public Library District, Cherry Valley Library District; North Suburban Library District (NSLD); Woodstock Library and back to North Suburban Library District as director, following the retirement of Director Sandra Aden.
Mary grew up in Villa Park, Illinois. She earned her Library Science degree from Northern Illinois University and her Master's degree at George Williams College- Aurora University.
Mary has served as director at North Suburban Library (NSLD) for 13 years. The library district has two locations: Loves Park, 6340 North Second Street, Loves Park, Illinois, and 5562 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, Illinois. "It has truly been an enjoyable career and has been fun working with so many great library staff, boards, and patrons."
Mary is venturing into a new post-retirement career. She plans to work part-time as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) at Alliance Counseling Mental Health Center, 415 South Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois.
The NSLD staff in Roscoe and Loves Park welcomed the new director, Mark Bolthouse, on September 2, 2025.
