Borden library's Rakow facility to hold open house

From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, Gail Borden Public Library will host open house to celebrate its anniversary of the Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin.

It may have taken 135 years for Gail Borden Public Library District to add its first branch, but after it opened in August 2009, time has been flying by for the 10 staff members who work at the Rakow facility.

They have welcomed 111,194 customers, checked out 222,817 books and other materials, issued 2,427 new library cards, oversaw 1,070 local residents attending tours and programs, and maintained the MediaBank, which dispersed 53,561 movies and games.

Free to the public, the open house will feature refreshments and entertainment, including magician Ken Mate and bluegrass and country folk singer Steve Justman, as well as other surprises.

Located adjacent to wetlands, the Rakow Branch also features a 24-hour MediaBank DVD dispenser (the first of its kind in a North American library), Zen gardens and small "living room" with fireplace. Because of its environmentally sustainable elements, it received gold LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the plaque will be unveiled during the open house.

The branch is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Thursdays and Fridays. For information, visit gailborden.info.