About Us

Amy Prechel is a dedicated, degreed librarian with 14 years of experience in the library profession. She is currently the Assistant Director of the Prairie Trails Library in Burbank. A mother of three boys who all share a love for books, she frequently visits our local library, instilling in her children the joy of reading and learning. As a longtime resident of Elmwood Park, Amy has a vested interest in improving our community and making our library a place of pride for all residents.

Believing that the public library is one of the few community destinations for families that does not require additional fees, Amy is committed to ensuring it remains beneficial and accessible to all. Fiscal responsibility is very important to her; she believes our tax dollars should be used to fund the best library possible. As a library trustee, Amy aims to promote access to resources and foster a love for reading. She looks forward to collaborating with fellow trustees to enhance library services, making the library a vibrant hub for learning.

Meredith Zinanni is an attorney specializing in patent litigation who has been practicing in Chicago for over 20 years.  She has volunteered with the non-partisan organization Election Protection for over fifteen years, helping ensure all eligible voters who want to vote are able to do so.  A life-long reader and avid library user, Meredith has been attending Elmwood Park Public Library board meetings since March 2023, where she has learned about the library and the operation of the board.  She has advocated to make sure the board continues its mission to serve the entire Elmwood Park community.

Meredith has made her home in Elmwood Park for the past eleven years.  She has always considered libraries to have an important role in a community, where library users have varied opportunities to learn. She looks forward to working with the board and library staff to continue their work making the library a welcoming place for all.

Jack Bower serves as the Executive Director of a nearby library and brings 15 years of experience working in public libraries in the Chicagoland area. For the past four years, Jack has been proud to call Elmwood Park home, where he lives with his wife, Anna—a lifelong EP resident—and their daughter.

Since 2022, Jack has been an active participant in Elmwood Park Public Library board meetings, advocating for the entire community and championing greater transparency in library decisions. Deeply invested in the future of Elmwood Park, Jack looks forward to continuing his efforts to make the library a space that serves the community—from families and students to lifelong learners.