Name: Bertha Gimbel
Office: Development Committee Chair, Staffing & Personnel Committee
Term: 2007-2013
Bertha Gimbel spent 20 years teaching seventh and eighth grade social studies in Chicago. After retiring, she began attending Village of Lincolnwood Board Meetings and was asked to run for Village Clerk. After re-election and eight years as Clerk, she retired again to take care of family. In addition to being a current library Trustee, Bertha teaches a knitting class for all ages and abilities. It meets every Friday at 3:30 in the Grant Room.
1. How long have you lived in Lincolnwood? Where did you grow up?
I have lived in Lincolnwood since 1972, but I grew up in Chicago.
2. What do you think has been the biggest accomplishment of the Board of Trustees during your tenure?
Of course the parking lot; we needed it badly. I have really enjoyed being a Trustee and working to make the library better.
3. What is your favorite thing about the Lincolnwood community? What are some of your outside interests?
The library is my favorite thing about Lincolnwood, and that should not come as a surprise. Outside interests—my sons—that goes without saying. I love knitting, of course, and I love to read—mostly mysteries like Stuart Woods and Janet Evanovich.
4. What is your favorite resource or program that the Library offers?
Well, the Friends of the Library— I have worked with them 25 or 26 years. I was Secretary for forever. My favorite library program is knitting, which we began in 2004. I began knitting when I was thirteen years old. At that time, my mother told me that knitting supplies were too expensive, but one day I came home from school and she said that she had figured out a way for me to learn. She handed me two sharpened pencils and a ball of string, and I taught myself!
