Glenside
Public Library District Welcomes You
The Library has a new look, features new technology, more
books and is open 7 days a week; as we embark on a new era.
1967 - 1st location:
The first location was an 800 square-foot, 3-bedroom home
located at 1631 N. Glen Ellyn Road, remaining in that location
from February through May 1974. The house was leased by the
village from Mr. Harold Reskin for $1.00 per year. Volunteers
from the community and a 3-member Library Commission, appointed
by the Village, operated the library.
The children’s section and circulation desk were located in
the living room. The reference department was in the master
bedroom. Adult fiction and non-fiction were in the other two
bedrooms. The office and processing areas were in the kitchen
and laundry. Receiving and storage occupied the main bath while
the small bath was left for public use. The book collection at
this time was approximately 2,000 donated books. The library was
open fourteen hours a week.
The new and growing library was fortunate to have the support
of the Glenside Junior Women’s Club. The Women’s Club supplied
money and volunteers to staff the library. Husbands made shelves
and painted walls. The club members donated drapes, typed
catalog cards, sold candy and conducted story hours which also
included a craft project. One of the founders was Astrid Oomens.
Other local groups gave money, donated books, a flag, etc. Youth
groups helped out at story hours, also by cleaning up outside
and planting flowers.
1971
In 1971, the Village voted to fund the library through liquor
licensing fees. This amount varied from $6,000 to $12,000 a
year. The money was used to pay the library’s very small staff,
buy books, start a rental collection of current fiction, and
subscribe to a few magazines.
The book collection consisted of 5,500 volumes. The Library
Commission and staff felt the library needed to be tax supported
and assistance was asked of the DuPage Library System. At the
suggestion of the System a demonstration Project PLUS commenced
on July 1, 1973.
Project PLUS was a grant from the Illinois State Library that
ran for one year and was used to demonstrate potential
improvements in library service. The acronym PLUS, indicating:
"Promoting Larger Units of Service." The project PLUS grant
applied only to district libraries. The district library concept
was a way of bringing library service to previously un-served
areas. A referendum was required within nine months to confirm
the change to a district library status. The start of Project
PLUS brought the library its first professional librarian,
Elizabeth Snyder.
1974
On February 23, 1974 a referendum was passed to begin the
Glendale Heights Public Library District. The Library District’s
boundaries were the same as those of the village. The first
Board of Trustees was appointed by the DuPage County Board. Six
of the seven members were suggested by the Village and some of
them were people who had served on the Library Commission.
Audrey Knobbe , another founder of the library was a trustee at
this time.
1974 - 2nd location:
In 1973-1974 the collection had grown to 12,272 items and had
a circulation of 25,854. In June of 1974 the library moved to
two prefabricated school units provided by the Village.
1975 - 3rd location:
At this time the Village complex was being built and the
library was invited to share space with the complex; however,
the Village could not allow the library the amount of space
necessary for future expansion. By 1975 the collection had grown
to 17,444 items with a circulation of 47,408. With continued
growth and development the newly formed Library District again
found the need to move to a larger facility. The library was
then relocated to a 4,500 square-foot storefront building near
Glen Ellyn Road on North Avenue.
In 1978 a second Project PLUS demonstration was completed, a
referendum was held and Glen Ellyn Countryside was included in
the district. Because the district no longer encompassed only
Glendale Heights the name was changed to the Glenside Public
Library District.
In 1978 the library board developed a 20-year program was
developed for the Glenside Library. This program was to give
guidance in locating a site and constructing a building.
A financial consultant advised the library of the best means
of securing funding. All available sources of grants were
explored prior to determining that the funds would be obtained
through the sale of a bond issue.
The successful passage of a $2.4 million dollar bond issue
referendum on September 27, 1980 was followed by the purchase of
a three-acre site at 25 East Fullerton Avenue, across from
Americana School, for $175,000.
Passage of the referendum was greatly aided by the
participation of the Glendale Heights Jaycees. They received
state recognition for their efforts. Mrs. Nancy Bausom was
Administrative Librarian during this busy time, with Joseph
Chambers as Board President.
1981 - 1982 - 4th location
Construction began on May 19, 1981 and progressed well
throughout the year. The building was completed on time and
within the budget. The Architect was Wight and Co.
Dedication of the new 25,000 square-foot building took place on
July 10, 1982. At the time of dedication the library employed
the equivalent of 10 full-time people and had 33,500 items in
its collection with an annual circulation of 82,219.
2002 - Addition and Renovation
In the year 2002, under the direction of Kathryn Vojtech and
Liz Fitzgerald, Team Administrators, and Board President
Elizabeth Minicz, the new addition of a 12,000 sq ft. Youth
Services wing and renovation of the original building were
completed. In 2004, the library has a collection of over
100,000 items, a circulation of over 225,000, and over 13,000
cardholders.
Through all its 35 years, the library has been fortunate over
the years in having many staff members, trustees and volunteers
serve with ability and dedication. Without all the staff
members, trustees and volunteers the library could not have
grown to the beautiful building and grounds we occupy today.
This page last modified
09/01/08 .
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