Altgeld Gardens Finally Gets a New Library
Gapers Block (blog)
More than a year after broken pipes destroyed their library, the residents of Altgeld Gardens will be able to check out books in a space named for the first …

NIU library displays Frank Lloyd Wright collection
Northern Star Online
During January, however, NIU students only have to trek as far as Founders Memorial Library to get a glimpse inside of this historic figure. …

Due to tight budget, Charleston library will hold off on hiring new director
Journal Gazette and Times-Courier
The Charleston Carnegie Public Library will be operating without an executive director for a few more months due to …

Davlin’s budget: Cut 55 jobs, close library branches
The State Journal-Register
The mayor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins March 1, also suggests closing Lincoln Library’s two branches — the southeast branch on …

Library unveils restructuring plan
Rockford Register Star
Marvin Walters might be from Loves Park, but he does most, if not all, of his genealogy research at the Rockford Public Library. …

Yorkville Library trims budget
Aurora Beacon News
The Yorkville Public Library Board of Trustees passed its 2010 budget on Monday night, steering clear of any drastic …

SXU to receive $1.25 million to upgrade campus library, develop STEM education center
Orland Park Prairie
Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) and Senator Dick Durbin worked together to secure funding for Saint Xavier’s library improvements and other local projects a …

Gates Foundation to support librarian training
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
The two-year, $484000 contract with the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will support a …

Decatur Public Library use is up even as budget gets smaller
Herald & Review
Jennifer Lake looks on as her sons Jamason, 7, and Dennis, 9, pick out a few books to read and some movies to watch at the Decatur Public Library. …

Regional libraries have not received a funding increase since 1989
Chicago Daily Herald
Regional library systems are in a situation similar to that of the second frog – the one that boiled to death. There are 10 regional library systems around …

Big changes for Rockford libraries
Rockford Register Star
The Rockford Public Library will undergo a massive change in operating hours and staffing levels next week as it embarks on a new world of …

Law allows library to borrow funds
Geneseo Republic
A change in the understanding of library law could make it easier for the Geneseo Public Library board to build a new library. …

ISU appoints new library dean
Bloomington Pantagraph
Sohair F. Wastawy has been named library dean at Illinois State University, effective June 1. The appointment was announced Thursday by Vice …

Cook Library board will hire firm to help director search
Chicago Daily Herald
The Cook Memorial Public Library District board likely will rely on an executive search firm to help find a …

City Council considers closing north and south library branches
Daily Northwestern
Bobkiewicz said the city is lucky to have a “robust library system.” But because of the prominent, efficient nature of the main library downtown, …

Library closes deal on old Beacon building
Aurora Beacon News
The city may not have a new downtown library for years, but at least it has a site for the future facility. …

Itasca library honors longtime board presidentChicago Daily Herald
Daily Herald
For 38 years, Swanson has been a part of the Itasca Community Library board of trustees. Four years after joining she was elected president and still holds …

Small library established at Green Meadow
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
But now Shawntavia can check out books at the apartment complex thanks to a new program, “Weeds to Seeds: Growing a Neighborhood Library and New Library …

New year, new dreams for city of Naperville: City leaders look toward big things in 2010
Naperville Sun
“Illinois is a really big state for library coordination. We all will be working to develop good, productive, financially sustainable methods of service …

Library to see carpet, furniture work
Danville Commercial News
The Danville Public Library Board of Trustees recently reviewed bids for its carpet replacement project. Three bids were submitted: Tile …

No. 5 Story of the Decade: Lincoln library, museum built
The State Journal-Register
After years of proposals, planning, negotiations and efforts to secure funding, construction of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library began in May 2001, …

Library program wins award
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Greig Memorial Library Junior Readers Club recently won the “Youth Services Program of the Year” award from the Alliance Library System. …

Cook library director sets retirement date
Waukegan News Sun
The director of the Cook Memorial Public Library District has announced his plans to retire next year. “My goal in coming to Cook was to …

Huntley library mobile making progress
Northwest Herald
The Huntley Area Public Library’s mobile addition is on schedule toward an expected March 2010 opening. …

Frame Works building nearly gone
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees, which is looking for a site to build a new library downtown, rejected the OT Johnson site as being too small …

Mt. Prospect library hits 1 million mark in circulation
Chicago Daily Herald
Nearly a month ago, officials with the Mount Prospect Public Library saw this day coming: they projected …

SXU gets funds for library, Orland campus upgradesSouthtown Star
SouthtownStar
Dick Durbin worked together to secure funding for St. Xavier’s library improvements and other local projects, according to a news release from the …

Palatine library renovation complete
Chicago Daily Herald
The $880000, second-floor renovation of the main Palatine Library is complete and patrons recently turned out to celebrate at an open house. …

No. 5 Story of the Decade: Lincoln library, museum built
The State Journal-Register
After years of proposals, planning, negotiations and efforts to secure funding, construction of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library began in May 2001, …

Library program wins award
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Greig Memorial Library Junior Readers Club recently won the “Youth Services Program of the Year” award from the Alliance Library System. …

Cook library director sets retirement date
Waukegan News Sun
The director of the Cook Memorial Public Library District has announced his plans to retire next year. “My goal in coming to Cook was to …

Huntley library mobile making progress
Northwest Herald
The Huntley Area Public Library’s mobile addition is on schedule toward an expected March 2010 opening. …

Frame Works building nearly gone
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees, which is looking for a site to build a new library downtown, rejected the OT Johnson site as being too small …

Unit 2 board approves increased tax levy
MyWebTimes.com
Employed Ruth Kowalski, library aide at Harding Elementary; Jenna Keigley, reading aide at Harding; and Jessica McNelis, long-term substitute. …

Ill. Library Receives Vinyl Record 47 Years Late
WIFR
Fondulac District Library Director Amy Falasz-Peterson says the album by 1950s pop singer Julius La Rosa was checked out on Feb. 12, 1962 and was returned …

Library offers Internet only card
Naperville Sun
The Naperville Public Library Board on Wednesday decided to offer an “Internet Only” card to the public. The card would allow members of the general public …

Help Sherrard welcome its new library director
Quad-Cities Online
The Board of Trustees of the Sherrard Public Library District is pleased to announce our selection of Laura Long as our new library director. …

Aurora Public Library buying itself a $3.2 million present
Chicago Daily Herald
But a site for a new facility has remained atop Aurora Public Library’s agenda for all that time and on Dec. …

Library To Study Second Floor Layout Trends
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
As part of the Mt. Prospect Public Library’s recent strategic plan (future initiatives or goals), the library board and staff will study the second floor …

Library approved to buy old Beacon site
Fox Valley Villages Sun
By Christmas Day, the Aurora Public Library will own the Beacon-News building at River and Benton streets. …

Library director set to retire
Franklin Park Herald Journal
After 31 years as a librarian — the last 20 as director of the Northlake Public Library — Jan Schmudde is retiring …

Redesign of library gathering area awaits funding
Park Ridge Herald Advocate
A design concept for a seating area outside the Park Ridge Public Library has received approval from the …

Woman’s book describes virtues of Vermilion County
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
Although Hicks is the Danville Library Foundation’s executive director, it never occurred to her to write a children’s story. Then she heard some adults …

Genoa planning for 175th anniversary celebration in 2010
The Courier News
The mural, which will hang on the west wall outside of the Genoa Public Library, 232 W. Main St., shows a man on a sled holding a team of horses as he …

Book returned to library after 60 years
Bloomington Pantagraph
A book has been mailed back to an Ohio library after six decades, accompanied by an anonymous letter of remorse. The biography “Napoleon” by …

Library Rolls Out Renovations
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
Renovations at the Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Ct., are complete—about 30 days behind schedule and at …

Indian Trails Library Opens New Lobby
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
After three months of construction, the Indian Trails Public Library has a newly remodeled lobby. “Our goal with the improvements was to draw the public …

Library wants to build on former Beacon site
Fox Valley Villages Sun
The Aurora Public Library has entered into an agreement to buy the old Beacon-News building on Benton Street, …

Decatur council votes to maintain property tax rate, cut funding to library
Herald & Review
Included in the plan are a nearly $390000 cut to the Decatur Public Library and a fare increase of 25 cents for adult riders of the Decatur bus system. …

‘Not much change’ on tax bills despite 1.5 percent levy cut
Niles Herald Spectator
The library’s Board of Trustees has approved a $6519578 levy for next year, down more than $100000 from $6618715 …

Normal council agrees to raise property tax rate
Bloomington Pantagraph
The tax rate for the Normal Public Library will go from $0.3507 per $100 assessed valuation to $0.3606, for a total tax rate of $1.1368, up from the current …

Champaign Public Library earns high ranking
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
The Champaign Public Library is among the top 4 percent of busiest and best libraries in the country. Library Journal magazine …

New library policy makes some patrons fear for privacy
Crain’s Chicago Business
A new Chicago Public Library policy is raising concerns about privacy, as it allows anyone to see the full names of patrons attached to books they have put …

Library director named Influential Woman in Business
Naperville Sun
The Naperville Public Library’s executive director has been named an Influential Women in Business for 2009 by The Business Ledger. …

C-SPAN to air Lincoln Library panel discussion of Cherry mine disaster
MyWebTimes.com
A panel discussion on the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster, which was recordedat the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield Nov. …

Library Slices Budget, Tax Levy Cuts
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
Des Plaines library trustees have approved a $6957885 total spending budget for 2010—$42553 less than last year—while setting a $6309802 extended …

Sugar Grove Library to star on TV show
Aurora Beacon News
Just months after its grand opening, the Sugar Grove Public Library is set to make its television …

No new executive director soon for Charleston Public Library
Journal Gazette and Times-Courier
The board of directors is making plans to fill the Charleston Carnegie Public Library’s vacant executive director …

Sugar Grove Library asking voters again for more money
Chicago Daily Herald
Sugar Grove Library District voters will be asked in February, for the 12th time, for more money to run the library …

New Lenox library won’t replace departed staff
Joliet Herald News
In a continuing effort to cut costs, New Lenox Public Library officials have decided not to …

Library funds threatened by county board’s budget concerns
WQAD
Johnson County officials say they are looking for money-saving alternatives to funding six libraries. In fiscal year 2010, …

Parks seek input on Strategic Plan
Naperville Sun
The Naperville Park District is seeking input from its residents regarding the final draft version of its five-year Strategic Plan. …

LaFayette Library board fires long-term employee
Stark County News
In a special meeting around November 17, members of the Ira C. Reed Library Board met to remove 10-year library director Marcine Rashid. …

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Offers $3.4M for Libraries
DailyTech
According to the American Library Association, 60% of US libraries report having “insufficient” broadband speeds, but libraries are currently being …

R.I. Library thankful for special support of friends, foundation
Quad-Cities Online
Sales at the Friends of the Rock Island Public Library used book sale room allowed the Friends to fund more than $22000 worth of library “wish list” …

Donation helps Jax library replace stolen DVDs
Jacksonville Journal Courier
There’s a story with a happy ending at the Jacksonville Public Library that isn’t on the shelves. Once upon a time, on Nov. …

New children’s librarian at Brehm
Mt. Vernon Register-News
Sharon Yearwood is no stranger to the children’s department at the CE Brehm Memorial Library. After all, she used to take her students there when …

New Schaumburg Township library trustee named
Chicago Daily Herald
Schaumburg Township District Library trustees have appointed Nicholas Scipione of Schaumburg to fill the board vacancy created by the recent resignation of …

Champaign Library Stays on List of “America’s Star Libraries”
Daily Illini
One of the nation’s busiest and best public libraries is right here in Champaign. The Champaign Public Library has once again been named among America’s top …

Flossmoor looking to save money refinancing 20-year library bonds
Southtown Star
… rates that have resulted from the economic downturn have the village looking to refinance the 20-year bonds bought seven years ago to build the library. …

Collection of FDR papers soon to become public
WREX-TV
The boxes have been sitting sealed at Roosevelt’s presidential library since July 2005, tied up in an ownership dispute between the government and a private …

Oakwood library to receive Gates grant
Danville Commercial News
The Oakwood Public Library District has been chosen as a recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Opportunity Online Grant. …

Library celebrates anniversary
Waukegan News Sun
The North Chicago Public Library celebrated its long history this weekend with three days of fun, games, raffles, …

E-books on the rise: Librarian sees potential for growth in electronic books
Galesburg Register-Mail
The assistant director and reference supervisor at Galesburg Public Library has done a great deal of research and said she can see the benefits of …

Waukegan Library opens new page with Jurassic thrills
Waukegan News Sun
On one wall in Waukegan Public Library’s Early Learning Center, a life-size replica of a baby tyrannosaurus rex sticks its head into the …

Library board has vacancy
Northwest Herald
The Rural Woodstock Public Library Board of trustees is looking to fill a vacancy. The board will appoint one person to complete a term of …

Celebrate Family Reading Night with a Pajama Party at Your Library
Quad-Cities Online
To celebrate and promote the value of reading together, the Rock Island Library Children’s Department is hosting a Family Reading Night Pajama Party. …

Library recognizes Veterans Day essay winners
New Lenox Patriot
As a tribute to veterans, the New Lenox Public Library held an essay contest during the weeks leading up to Veterans Day. …

Board finalizes bond issue resolution for Quincy Public Library, Mill Creek Water District
Quincy Herald Whig
The Adams County Board on Tuesday finalized a bond issue resolution awarding $5.533 million in bond cap to the Quincy Public Library and …

Lake Co. Library Receives Literacy Award
The Shopper Online
The Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave., was awarded the Tom Zupancic Literary Award on Oct. 19 at the Indiana Library Federation Awards and …

Glen Ellyn residents talk tax hike
Chicago Daily Herald
Glen Ellyn Public Library officials moved closer to receiving the $3 million they say they need to repair and …

Cook library branch is going up, but grant to fund it nowhere to be found
Chicago Daily Herald
Kathy Ryg of Vernon Hills surprised Cook Memorial Public Library District officials by publicly announcing they’d secured a $500000 state grant to help fund …

Expansion of St. Charles Public Library creeping forward
Chicago Daily Herald
A five-year march toward a bigger, better St. Charles Public Library may now have a payoff in sight. …

Hanover library project receives federal grant
Freeport Journal-Standard
Shari Farral shows the progress of a project to build an addition and remodel the Hanover Township Library for ADA …

Oak Lawn eyes tax increases
Southtown Star
In another cost cutting measure, the village board is proposing the Oak Lawn Public Library board assume some debt from the library’s $5 million expansion …

Lincoln’s 200th birthday events winding down
The State Journal-Register
A year of events commemorating the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth winds down next weekend …

Library expects tighter budget to come
Pekin Daily Times
The Pekin Public Library expects both to bring in less revenue and to spend less in the coming fiscal year. The library spent $1.25 …

You still have time to affect the library funding decision
Rockford Register Star
There are so many citizens of Rockford (and beyond) who depend on the services that Rockford Public Library provides. …

Library Limits Pay Hikes
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
Any merit salary increases in 2010 for employees of the Des Plaines Public Library will be capped at 2.75% and two …

Elk Grove Library Ranked Among Best In State
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
The Elk Grove Public Library topped the Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR) index in the North Suburban …

Library friends support tax increase
Chicago Daily Herald
The Friends of the Glen Ellyn Library would like to express its support for the library’s proposed bond issuance and tax levy increase in order to finance …

Bettendorf Public Library receives Community Grant from Best Buy
Quad-Cities Online
The Bettendorf Public Library has received a $5000 Community Grant from Best Buy Co., Inc. Best Buy leaders at store 22 in Davenport, …

Carol Stream delays library tax levy talk
Chicago Daily Herald
A property tax levy requested by the Carol Stream Public Library is on hold for at least two weeks after the village …

Library Board Increases Fees, Cuts Hours
MyStateline.com
But Sciortino is not taking the libraries for granted anymore. In fact, he came to this board meeting to put his two cents in. The library board is looking …

Carol Stream delays library tax levy talk
Chicago Daily Herald
A property tax levy requested by the Carol Stream Public Library is on hold for at least two weeks after the village …

Rockford Library Late Return Fines Increasing
WIFR
Though they held off on staffing questions, Rockford library board members did reach some key decisions. Effective January 1st, they’re increasing late …

Dundee Twp. library welcomes new director
The Courier News
Bennett joins the recently renovated library from the Punta Gorda Public Library in Punta Gorda, Fla., where she was branch manager. …

Library director didn’t follow rules in firing: Should have notified board before terminating employee
Riverside Brookfield Landmark
Brookfield Public Library Director Kimberly Litland did not follow the procedures laid out in the library’s employee handbook when she fired …

Some library decisions, but not on layoffs
Rockford Register Star
A month after the Rockford Public Library Board and union officials vowed to work …

Rockford Public Library Facing Millions in Budget Cuts
MyStateline.com
Rockford-Rockford’s public library is facing an almost 2 million dollar budget deficit. The library board will meet tonight to discuss a reduced spending …

Heaton selected as Volunteer of the Year
Benton Evening News
Locally, I serve as president of the Benton Public Library Board of Trustees.” Heaton has been praised for her work behind the scenes that led to the …

Main Street library presses on amid construction
Peoria Journal Star
Employees of the Main Street library have begun the massive operation of clearing two of its five levels to make room for interior construction while trying …

Cherry Valley Library Could Expand
WIFR
Leaders at the Cherry Valley Public Library District are considering building a 13000 square foot addition. This would double the library’s size. …

A lot has changed at North Shore Suburban Library system in 20 years
Chicago Daily Herald
I have just celebrated my 20th anniversary as Executive Director of the North Suburban Library System. …

A century later: The Cherry Coal Mine disaster
Peoria Journal Star
A new exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield takes a look back 100 years after the tragedy. One hundred years later, …