New library branch opens in Mount Prospect

The Mount Prospect Public Library opened its south branch and welcomed its first customers, the Puentes family, last week.

The new library branch is part of a new community center the village opened in the Crystal Court Shopping Center at 1711 W. Algonquin Road to provide south side residents a local spot where they can obtain village hall, library and police services.

Representatives from Northwest Community Hospital and school districts 214 and 59 will also have information at the center. The center will have weekend and night hours.

There are 7,000 housing units within one mile of the center, which opened in two store fronts that have been abandoned for years. Work started on March 1.

The center will offer services from the Village of Mount Prospect's Human Services and police departments, library, District 214 Community Education, Community Consolidated School District 59, and Northwest Community Hospital.

The library branch occupies 700 square feet and provides services similar to those currently offered at the main library, including storytimes, homework support, GED and ELL materials, ready reference, small business resources, access to computers and Microsoft Office applications, and recreational reading, viewing, and listening materials in English, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Gujarati and Korean.

There are four computer stations along with books and videos available for check out.

The library will host a grand opening on Aug. 29 with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by a celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that will include refreshments, entertainment and tours of the new facility.