Petting zoo in unlikely place: Warren-Newport Library

They won't be checking out books, but a bunch of farm animals are expected Saturday at Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee.

Warren-Newport is offering a petting zoo from 10 a.m. to noon as part of its 35th anniversary celebration. Officials said the animals are a fitting touch, because the library was built on a former farm.

Goats, sheep, a young calf, piglets, rabbits and ducks will be part of the kid-friendly menagerie that'll be brought from the Patch 22 farm in Wadsworth south to Gurnee.

Library spokeswoman Jan Marsh said the petting zoo will be west of the building at 224 N. O'Plaine Road.

"The kids are going to be able to see the animals and hold the animals," said Marsh. "We even ordered a hand-washing station."

Saturday's event also is the official start of the library's summer reading program for children.

Warren-Newport began as a public library district in 1973. Gurnee Women's Club members formed a committee the previous year to spur creation of the library, which had rented space near routes 21 and 132 as its first home.

Gurnee village government's official history shows the library secured $495,000 through a tax-increase referendum for new construction in 1977. The library bought the McCullough family farm and opened on its current site in 1978.

Through a construction donation, the McCullough family name became attached to a library public meeting room.