Dublin Core
Title
Sugar Grove Public Library History Display 1843 - 2023
Subject
[no text]
Description
SUGAR GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Celebrating 60 years in the Neighborhood
1963 – 2023
Our library and community have grown in the last 60 years, but our mission remains to be a unique resource to offer open access to information that fosters a passion for reading, learning, and the exchange of ideas. As the heart of our community, we support democracy, citizenship, and the cultural growth of the Sugar Grove Public Library District.
1843
Jericho Church Sabbath School library established. “The youth and children are much taken up with reading,” reported Rev. Henry Bergen.
1843
Farmers Institute Agricultural Library was established.
1962
The Sugar Grove Library is founded in a 10 foot by 15 foot room in the Sugar Grove Community House with 446 donated books and one volunteer, Grace McCannon. It is open 8 hours per week.
1963
The new Township Library becomes tax supported. The operating tax rate is established at 0.12.
1966
The Library’s collection is now housed in two rooms inside the Sugar Grove Community House.
1970
The Library’s collection has 6,908 items and 11,897 circulations.
1971
Grace McCannon negotiates for the Library to move from the Community House to what originally was the Carter Wilson house next door on the corner of Snow and Main Streets. As the Library collection grows, McCannon pushes for the purchase of vacant land next to the Wilson house for parking. The land eventually becomes the site for the new Library building in 1980.
1978
Grace McCannon retires after serving as the Library Director for 16 years. Pam Feather becomes the new Library Director.
1980
The 6,000 square foot Library building is constructed at 54 Snow Street in Sugar Grove. The Carter Wilson house is razed to make room for the Library’s driveway, but a leaded glass window from the house is moved to the new Library building. At this time, the Library District’s population is 3,000, with 1,020 Library cardholders. The Library’s collection has 13,083 items and is open 27 hours each week.
1982
The Sugar Grove Township Library is converted into the Sugar Grove Library District.
1984
The Library’s juvenile wing is opened.
1988
The Library’s district is expanded into Blackberry Township south of Seavey Raod. The Library Director is Carol Platt.
1990 – 1996
The Sugar Grove Library Director is Beverly Holmes Hughes. The Library District has a population of 5,514, with 2,279 Library cardholders. The Library’s collection has 20,243 items and 36,542 circulations.
1999 – 2000
The Library District has a population of 6,747, with 3,465 Library cardholders and about 14 visits per cardholder or 7 visits per capita. The Library’s collection has 27,890 items and 45,617 circulations. The Library’s revenues are $217,040. Expenditures are $217,040 ($32 per capita or $63 per cardholder). Volunteers donate 418 hours of service.
2004
The Library District’s Board of Trustees puts tow referendum questions on the ballot, one asking for funding to build a new library building, and another for an operating fund increase. The first question passes, but the second question fails.
2005 – 2008
The Library District’s Board of Trustees asks for an operational tax increase 11 times, but none of the referendum questions pass. The operational tax rate remains at 0.12, the rate established in 1963. The 5+ acres of land for the new Library is purchased for well below market value after free land were rescinded by Neuman Homes as the developer terminated the projected Promenade Project. A local benefactor offers free but unimproved land (water, sewer, electric) in a location that would have been challenging. It is determined that it would actually cost more to take the free land donation than to purchase developed land at a discounted price and in a location that would situate the Library by developing neighborhoods and other municipal services.
2009
The new 26,000 square foot Sugar Grove Public Library building opens at 125 South Municipal Road, and includes the Book Nook Café. The Library has about ten part-time staff members.
2014 – 2019
The Library District’s population continues to grow. The Library is open 54 hours a week and has 16 part time staff members, including Director Shannon Halikilas.
2020
Worries about the COVID-19 pandemic close the Library for months. Librarians offer take-home craft kits, online book clubs, virtual LEGO competitions, board games for check-out, and “Surprise Me” bundles.
2022
The Library District population is 16,114, and there are 6,875 Library cardholders. Genna Mickey is promoted to Director in January 2022, when construction on the NOW Space begins. The new NOW Space offers a program room with adaptable furniture for Library events, meetings, and creative space. The Grand Opening is celebrated during Summer Reading Kickoff on June 4, 2022. Funding for the NOW Space was provided from the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using Live & Learn Construction Grant Funds.
2023
As local neighborhood continue to grow, the destination has proved a success. The local elementary school is in close proximity, and families are easily able to walk and bike to the Library. The continued growth of Sugar Grove provides and influx of new residents eager to bring their families to the Library. On April 4, 2023, voters approve a referendum for increased operational funding. Eagle Scout Nate Diaz completes a Library signage project to highlight the Library grounds. In 2022 – 2023, the Library has 54,043 annual visitors and operating expenditures of $721,646. Patrons check out 25,635 e-books and 89,036 physical materials.
Planning for the Future
The Library is looking ahead and thinking about what new services and products we can provide for our patrons. What would you add to our list?
“One Day” Wishlist
Over the years, we have collected ideas from staff and patrons about what to offer at the Library, but the ideas were too out of reach due to financial and/or staffing limitations. “Maybe One Day” is often used in response to these idea suggestions. The goal is to make our dreams more visible as we work towards changing one day into today. Some of the ideas are:
*1,000 Books Before Kindergarten/Born to Read
* Homebound Delivery Services
* Outreach Van or Bookmobile
* After Hour Holds Pickup Locker at a school
* Enhanced Genealogy Databases
* Streaming Movie Subscription: Kanopy
* Outdoor Playground
* Drive Up Window Service Option
* Regular Computer Class Schedule
* CreativeBug Crafting Database
* PressReader Online Magazines
* More Speakers for Programs
* Vending Machine so patrons can buy food/drinks
* Laptop/tablet available for checkout
* Enhanced Furniture
* Play/Learn Furniture in Children’s Departent
* Gazebo or Outdoor Programming Space
* Fix Drive-Up Book Drop
* Automatic Renewals
* No fines/Late fees (only damaged/lost)
Celebrating 60 years in the Neighborhood
1963 – 2023
Our library and community have grown in the last 60 years, but our mission remains to be a unique resource to offer open access to information that fosters a passion for reading, learning, and the exchange of ideas. As the heart of our community, we support democracy, citizenship, and the cultural growth of the Sugar Grove Public Library District.
1843
Jericho Church Sabbath School library established. “The youth and children are much taken up with reading,” reported Rev. Henry Bergen.
1843
Farmers Institute Agricultural Library was established.
1962
The Sugar Grove Library is founded in a 10 foot by 15 foot room in the Sugar Grove Community House with 446 donated books and one volunteer, Grace McCannon. It is open 8 hours per week.
1963
The new Township Library becomes tax supported. The operating tax rate is established at 0.12.
1966
The Library’s collection is now housed in two rooms inside the Sugar Grove Community House.
1970
The Library’s collection has 6,908 items and 11,897 circulations.
1971
Grace McCannon negotiates for the Library to move from the Community House to what originally was the Carter Wilson house next door on the corner of Snow and Main Streets. As the Library collection grows, McCannon pushes for the purchase of vacant land next to the Wilson house for parking. The land eventually becomes the site for the new Library building in 1980.
1978
Grace McCannon retires after serving as the Library Director for 16 years. Pam Feather becomes the new Library Director.
1980
The 6,000 square foot Library building is constructed at 54 Snow Street in Sugar Grove. The Carter Wilson house is razed to make room for the Library’s driveway, but a leaded glass window from the house is moved to the new Library building. At this time, the Library District’s population is 3,000, with 1,020 Library cardholders. The Library’s collection has 13,083 items and is open 27 hours each week.
1982
The Sugar Grove Township Library is converted into the Sugar Grove Library District.
1984
The Library’s juvenile wing is opened.
1988
The Library’s district is expanded into Blackberry Township south of Seavey Raod. The Library Director is Carol Platt.
1990 – 1996
The Sugar Grove Library Director is Beverly Holmes Hughes. The Library District has a population of 5,514, with 2,279 Library cardholders. The Library’s collection has 20,243 items and 36,542 circulations.
1999 – 2000
The Library District has a population of 6,747, with 3,465 Library cardholders and about 14 visits per cardholder or 7 visits per capita. The Library’s collection has 27,890 items and 45,617 circulations. The Library’s revenues are $217,040. Expenditures are $217,040 ($32 per capita or $63 per cardholder). Volunteers donate 418 hours of service.
2004
The Library District’s Board of Trustees puts tow referendum questions on the ballot, one asking for funding to build a new library building, and another for an operating fund increase. The first question passes, but the second question fails.
2005 – 2008
The Library District’s Board of Trustees asks for an operational tax increase 11 times, but none of the referendum questions pass. The operational tax rate remains at 0.12, the rate established in 1963. The 5+ acres of land for the new Library is purchased for well below market value after free land were rescinded by Neuman Homes as the developer terminated the projected Promenade Project. A local benefactor offers free but unimproved land (water, sewer, electric) in a location that would have been challenging. It is determined that it would actually cost more to take the free land donation than to purchase developed land at a discounted price and in a location that would situate the Library by developing neighborhoods and other municipal services.
2009
The new 26,000 square foot Sugar Grove Public Library building opens at 125 South Municipal Road, and includes the Book Nook Café. The Library has about ten part-time staff members.
2014 – 2019
The Library District’s population continues to grow. The Library is open 54 hours a week and has 16 part time staff members, including Director Shannon Halikilas.
2020
Worries about the COVID-19 pandemic close the Library for months. Librarians offer take-home craft kits, online book clubs, virtual LEGO competitions, board games for check-out, and “Surprise Me” bundles.
2022
The Library District population is 16,114, and there are 6,875 Library cardholders. Genna Mickey is promoted to Director in January 2022, when construction on the NOW Space begins. The new NOW Space offers a program room with adaptable furniture for Library events, meetings, and creative space. The Grand Opening is celebrated during Summer Reading Kickoff on June 4, 2022. Funding for the NOW Space was provided from the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using Live & Learn Construction Grant Funds.
2023
As local neighborhood continue to grow, the destination has proved a success. The local elementary school is in close proximity, and families are easily able to walk and bike to the Library. The continued growth of Sugar Grove provides and influx of new residents eager to bring their families to the Library. On April 4, 2023, voters approve a referendum for increased operational funding. Eagle Scout Nate Diaz completes a Library signage project to highlight the Library grounds. In 2022 – 2023, the Library has 54,043 annual visitors and operating expenditures of $721,646. Patrons check out 25,635 e-books and 89,036 physical materials.
Planning for the Future
The Library is looking ahead and thinking about what new services and products we can provide for our patrons. What would you add to our list?
“One Day” Wishlist
Over the years, we have collected ideas from staff and patrons about what to offer at the Library, but the ideas were too out of reach due to financial and/or staffing limitations. “Maybe One Day” is often used in response to these idea suggestions. The goal is to make our dreams more visible as we work towards changing one day into today. Some of the ideas are:
*1,000 Books Before Kindergarten/Born to Read
* Homebound Delivery Services
* Outreach Van or Bookmobile
* After Hour Holds Pickup Locker at a school
* Enhanced Genealogy Databases
* Streaming Movie Subscription: Kanopy
* Outdoor Playground
* Drive Up Window Service Option
* Regular Computer Class Schedule
* CreativeBug Crafting Database
* PressReader Online Magazines
* More Speakers for Programs
* Vending Machine so patrons can buy food/drinks
* Laptop/tablet available for checkout
* Enhanced Furniture
* Play/Learn Furniture in Children’s Departent
* Gazebo or Outdoor Programming Space
* Fix Drive-Up Book Drop
* Automatic Renewals
* No fines/Late fees (only damaged/lost)
Identifier
[no text]
Date
1843 - 2023
Creator
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Language
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Format
[no text]
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[no text]
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