Dupage Policy Journal

Steven Krage was in his ninth year working at the Addison Public Library, and had recently been promoted to book "Acquisitions Associate" when he was arrested last week on felony child pornography charges.

Prosecutors say Krage, a 32 year-old Addison resident, uploaded "more than 100" child pornographic files to the social media platforms Discord and X.com He faces seven felony charges.

Library employment records obtained by DuPage Policy Journal show Krage was hired on Jan. 7, 2015 in the position of "Shelver."

Steve Krage posted "he/him pronouns" with his email signature, on behalf of the library. | Addison Public Library

He was promoted three times, first, on Oct. 4, 2015 to "Materials Management Clerk," then again on Sept. 12, 2022 to "Materials Management Acquisitions Clerk," then again on Oct. 3, 2023 to "Acquisitions Associate."

He was earning $21.00 per hour when his employment was terminated in April.

The Daily Herald reported that a prosecutor's petition for detention for Krage said Addison Police were "notified by the state attorney general’s office that several child pornography files had been uploaded to accounts on Discord and X" on Jan 31, 2024.

Emails obtained by DuPage Policy Journal show Krage continued to work actively in his job in February, March and April, often coordinating the purchase of children's books for the library.

"As we feared, the press has picked up on the arrest of our employee this week"

Three days after Krage's April 24 arrest, Addison Library director Mary Medjo Me Zengue sent an email to the Addison Public Library Board on Sat. April 27, indicating that she had planned to keep Krage's employment with the library a secret from the public.

"As we feared, the press has picked up on the arrest of our employee this week. The Daily Herald published a story late this afternoon, reporting that Steven Krage is an employee of the Addison Public Library," she wrote. "We were prepared for this, and the attached press release has been sent to multiple local media outlets. We had it prepared but were not planning to use it unless this became a news story."

"Our staff are also monitoring social media, but if any of you are members of local groups on any platform and become aware of this being discussed at that level, please let me know if there is something we should respond to officially," she wrote. "I have not yet, but we can also post this statement on our website and direct people there. Front line staff will refer patrons to our prepared statement and hand out my business card if I'm not in the building."

"This has been a challenging week at the library. Many of our staff are devastated by this and in genuine disbelief that someone we liked and respected and worked so closely with could be involved in something like this. If any of you stop by the library this weekend, please be aware that many of our employees are struggling with this," Zengue wrote. "We're in pretty unchartered territory here and while we do have a crisis communication plan, there is no road map to guide us through this specific situation. If there is something more or different you feel I should be doing, please let me know."

Board member Donna Reboletti responded to Zengue's letter three minutes after it was sent, offering support.

"Mary, I think you are handling it the best way you can as this is definitely unchartered territory for everyone. If you need us to come in to talk to you or anyone please let me know. It is a sad situation for our town as the Krage family is well-loved," she wrote.

The Addison Public Library board includes Vice President Reboletti, President Christopher Pudelek, Secretary Sophia Neri, Treasurer Matt Moretti and trustees Robert Lyons, Maria Piscopo and Ruben Robles.

Zengue has been an employee of the library for 28 years, first joining it in 1996 as "head of information services."

"Choose the impossible"

Krage's personal Linkedin page had already been scrubbed of any mention of the Addison Public Library. Instead, he describes himself as a "freelance musician, composer and author."

Several of Krage's self-published books are currently available at the Addison Public Library.

A 521 page book self-published by Krage titled, The Mistakes of a Better World: an Informal Memoir, of Sorts, is currently on the shelf at the Addison Public Library, according to the library's catalog. It was added to the library's collection on Nov. 7, 2023, the catalog indicates.

"Steven Krage's premiere collection of essays on such subjects as The Matrix, the operas of Mozart, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, Desperate Housewives, and many more, and his Stephen King-inspired short story, Silenced," reads a description.

The book copy is signed by Krage.

"To the Addison Public Library- For all of you reading this book, know you stand within the walls of a sacred space. A haven where knowledge is gained and objective learning is fostered. Never forget that a book is a window into the best and worst of man. Tread carefully and remember to always foster intelligence and ... in your own life. Choose the impossible!," it says.

Another Krage self-published book, titled, The artist's obligation: an Epitaph, was added to the library on Nov. 3, 2023, according to its catalog.

"The human mind is capable of many things, but the most startling of these is obsession. Obsession can ruin our lives, destroy our families and leave us destitute and without hope," reads the description. "Enter Samai Katama, an elderly artist driven to the brink of obsession in her art by her parents, her culture and even her art itself. Throughout The Artist's Obligation we are painted a picture of this woman, her struggle and her ideals. The story builds to a grotesque climax, sealing the fate of one driven by absolute obsession; a fate which is her ultimate Obligation."

Krage graduated from Addison Trail H.S. in 2009 and from College of DuPage with an associate's degree in 2013.