Didn’t Daniel Burnham say make no little plans? The Evanston Public Library certainly took that to heart. It stands as a testament to community, knowledge and architectural vision.
Evanston Public Library is more than just a building. It is a vital city department. Established in 1873, the Evanston Public Library has evolved to meet the needs of its community.
Thomas J. Kellan was the library’s first librarian. He was appointed in 1874. The library first resided on the second floor of the Village Hall. This was in 1893. The Dewey Decimal Classification system came to the library in 1896. This helped organize the collection. In 1908, the library found its permanent home at 1703 Orrington Avenue.
The Evanston Public Library expanded its reach with additional branches. The South Branch opened in 1917. The North Branch followed in 1952. A proposal for a new main building at Church and Orrington was approved in 1958.
The Evanston Public Library embraced technology in 1980. It introduced online public access for patrons. Videocassettes and duplicates of best-selling books became available for rent.
A new chapter began in 1994. The library moved into its newly finished building. In 2023, the Evanston Public Library celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Today, the Evanston Public Library has two main locations. There is the Main Library on Orrington Avenue. And there is the Robert Crown Branch Library. The Robert Crown Branch Library is located within the Robert Crown Community Center. This branch opened in 2020. It was part of an equity plan to serve underserved neighborhoods.
Previous branches included the North, South and West branches. The South Branch faced closures and reopenings. The North Branch operated for many years before closing in 2020. The West Branch served the Black Fifth Ward from 1971 to 1981.
One special feature is the Children’s Room. This is an interactive space for kids. There are storytimes and art projects.
Another unique space is The Loft. This is dedicated to teenagers. It offers computers, WiFi, 3D printers and study rooms. The Loft also has a Gender/Sexuality Alliance. It won an interior design award for its artistic creativity.
Since 2004, peregrine falcons have nested atop the Evanston Public Library. The Field Museum bands the baby falcons. You can even follow their adventures on FalconCam.
The Evanston Public Library offers many programs for all ages. These include tech help and book clubs. There are bilingual storytimes and STEM programs. The library’s collection includes books, DVDs and eBooks.
Art is all over the Evanston Public Library. “Ghostwriter” is a suspended wire sculpture. It spans several stories in the entry.
The construction of the new Evanston Public Library was a textbook case. It demonstrated successful design and project management. A young architect, Joseph Powell, won the design competition. The Prairie School-inspired design impressed the jury.
The Evanston Public Library stands as a symbol. It represents knowledge, community and architectural achievement. Its story is one of continuous growth.