Always books, ‘but now there’s so much more’: Arlington Heights library marks 100th anniversary
Pat Bennett got hired to stack newspapers and magazines in the periodicals section of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library 42 years ago.
When she got there — her first real job, after working in fast food while a student at Buffalo Grove High School — the library was still operating on card catalogs, didn’t yet have its first computer, and the size of the place was half of what it would become.
As the library’s longest-tenured employee, Bennett is probably best suited to describe how the institution has evolved — at least in its most recent past.
“Years ago, they were saying there isn’t going to be a need for libraries anymore, but I think we constantly find ways to still be relevant in people’s lives,” said Bennett, now the library’s info services supervisor.
Friday marks the day 100 years ago when the first Arlington Heights public library — then on the second floor of People’s State Bank at Campbell Street and Evergreen Avenue — opened its doors.
On Sunday, library officials will honor that legacy in a centennial celebration held at the library’s home for more than half a century, 500 N. Dunton Ave.
Library board President Amy Somary, Executive Director Mike Driskell and Mayor Jim Tinaglia will offer remarks at 1:30 p.m. and show items that will be placed inside a new time capsule.
The birthday party, from 1 to 4 p.m., will also include a building-wide scavenger hunt, trivia sessions, live music from ButterBean, the El Mago Magic Show, juggling by Jason Kollum, arts and crafts, a new storytime puppet, refreshments from Soha’s Sweet Treats and giveaways.
The event also marks the debut of an exhibit, “A Century of Stories,” that chronicles, yes, everything that happened since the March 29, 1926, election when residents approved creating a public library by a 587-306 vote. But other important milestones preceding the vote are covered, too.
The library traces its origins to 1888, when a group of women inspired by the Chautauqua movement held its first reading circle social event and began circulating books. The collection — about 150 books — settled at sisters Effie and Lucy Shepard’s home at 310 N. Dunton Ave., where the public was welcomed to visit twice a week.
Today, the library has books and so much more: 2 million items in total; a long-running Bookmobile that makes deliveries throughout town; a series of programs and events including the One Book, One Village communitywide read; an accessibility support collection with therapeutic toys and tools for kids; and a separate Makerplace building housing a commercial-grade teaching kitchen and do-it-yourself tools like laser cutters, 3D printers and a CNC milling machine.
When the Makerplace opened at 112 N. Belmont Ave. in 2021, it marked a homecoming of sorts. The 8,000-square-foot brick building across from Recreation Park opened in 1952 as the first standalone village library, after voters years earlier approved using leftover war bonds to establish a memorial library honoring World War II service members.
Bennett, who now answers library patrons’ questions at the information desk, call center and via website chat, has seen a lot of the technologies and formats over the years: extensive newspaper and magazine subscriptions, long runs of microfilm and stacks of LP records. Then typewriters, DVDs and audiobooks. Finally, public computers, eBooks and an online catalog.
“We did Betamax,” Bennett said. “All that stuff kept changing. … There’s always been things beside books, but now there’s so much more.”
She says she enjoys what’s new about the library — going to the Makerplace to make Christmas ornaments, for instance.
But some things don’t change.
“I do like to kick back in the quiet area and read. I do love to read.”
“It’s a great community,” Bennett added. “I love the library. I really do. I think it has something for everybody, and everybody’s welcome here.”