Aurora Public Library District Recognized with the Liberty Bell Award
The Aurora Public Library District was selected as the recipient of the Kane County Bar Association’s (KCBA) prestigious Liberty Bell Award at the 2025 KCBA Annual Dinner. This nationally recognized award is bestowed on a non-attorney individual or community organization who has promoted a better understanding of the law, encouraged a greater respect for the law and the courts, who stimulates a sense of civic responsibility, and who contributes to good government within the community.

This award was presented recognizing the library’s court support and access initiatives with the Lawyers in the Library program series, participation in the statewide pilot program of Court Access Library Centers, and its partnerships with outside agencies to host expungement clinics and immigration consultations.

Hallē Eichert, Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center Director says “The work of the Aurora Public Library District staff in ensuring that your constituents have access to and understanding of the court system has been nothing less than remarkable.”

The Lawyers in the library series offers free, monthly consultations at the Santori library. The library, in partnership with the Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center, provides a pro-bono walk-in service for legal assistance. Two attorneys volunteer their time with a limit of 15 minutes per person. Library customers are welcome to bring paperwork and legal questions. The Court Access Library Centers pilot program’s goal is to break down barriers for people without lawyers and limited resources in an effort to easily access legal information and assistance at their local public library. The Aurora Public Library District is one of 18 libraries across the state of Illinois participating in the program and offers assistance with finding and filling court documents, attending court hearings via Zoom, and finding general information about court rules and procedures.

Library Executive Director Michaela Haberkern says “The legal system can be confusing and intimidating, and it’s important and meaningful work to make access easier for everyone who needs it.”

Previous recipients of the award include Linda Hagemann (2024), Lori Herte (2023), Nancylee Brown (2022), and Jenny Maxwell (2021).