Bringing Her Voice Home: Beverly Westergren and the Library’s Whisper Room
When Beverly Westergren first toured the Galesburg Public Library, she turned a corner and stopped in surprise. There, tucked neatly into the space, was something she’d been wishing for: a professional, sound-isolated recording booth.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had just told a friend, ‘I wish I could walk into a room and just start recording’—and there it was.”
A lifelong musician and former music educator, Beverly now lives in Arlington, Virginia, where she’s building a second career in voiceover. She’s studying acting, working with a demo producer, and developing her commercial portfolio. Back home, she’s outfitted her apartment with a compact personal recording booth—but when she’s in Galesburg caring for her 95-year-old mother, Dolores, she practices right here at the library.
“It’s pretty amazing. I’ve bragged on LinkedIn that this public library has a Whisper Room. Even many bigger libraries don’t have anything like this. You’re really fortunate to have one here.”
Rooted in Galesburg, Reaching for What’s Next
Beverly’s connection to Galesburg runs deep. Her father practiced dentistry here for more than forty years, and her mother, Dolores, is known throughout the neighborhood for her warmth and community spirit. Beverly grew up visiting the library for summer reading programs and still returns regularly when she’s helping her mother. Those visits have also become an opportunity to continue her creative work.
“Walking into the Whisper Room felt like a gift. The quality, the quiet, the chance to focus—it was exactly what I’d been wishing for.”
A Community Resource with Professional Possibilities
The Whisper Room isn’t just for podcasters or performers—it’s an example of how public libraries can nurture creativity, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. Whether recording, editing, or simply exploring new technologies, Beverly sees the space as proof of Galesburg’s forward thinking.
“You have such amazing equipment. What really unlocks it is helping people discover it and feel supported as they learn. Having resources like this in a community this size is impressive.”
Finding Her Voice—And Coming Full Circle
Beverly’s story bridges two worlds: a bustling life near Washington, D.C., and quiet creative time in her hometown library. For her, the Whisper Room represents both progress and belonging—a place where past and present meet.
“It’s powerful to come home and find something you’d only dreamed about.”
Beverly continues to build her voiceover career from her home studio in Arlington, Virginia—and every so often, from right here in Galesburg.
Learn more about her work and listen to her demos at https://www.westergrenvoice.com/
Curious about the Whisper Room or other Tech Lab tools? Visit the Galesburg Public Library to explore how you can create, record, and connect.
Have a story to share? We’d love to hear it for Bookmarked: Stories from the Stacks. Email heather.sipes@thegplf.org.
