Library History

In March of 1944 a group of people, including representatives from the Women's Club, the Methodist Church, and the Evergreen Park Public School P.T.A., collaborated with representatives from the Village Board and the School Board to establish a library. The group held a Mardi Gras in the public school gymnasium, and raised about $800,which was used for supplies. The Village Board donated a building at the alley behind Village Hall that was built during W.P.A days. Stocked with donated books, the library opened its doors on September 7, 1944. The library was open four afternoons a week. Mrs. Amie Burnham Martin served as the first head librarian. In 1945 a Library Board was elected and a proposition was passed to institute a library tax rate.

The growing library soon ran out of space. In 1954, 14,000 books were moved to a storefront at 95th Street and Homan Avenue. In 1957, a new library facility was built at 94th Street and Troy Avenue, with an addition completed in 1976.

In 2006/07, the library underwent a 12 month renovation and expansion. The Village of Evergreen Park Board of Trustees and the Evergreen Park Public Library Board of Trustees worked together to accomplish this important public project. Construction was completed on time and on budget, financed through a general obligation bond and repaid through sales tax revenue, not property taxes.  Physically and functionally, it's a brand new 23,000 square foot library!

 So what's new?

►The entrance was relocated south, next to the parking lot and away from a congested corner at 94th and Troy
►ADA accessible entryway, ramp, elevator, and restrooms
►An expanded children's department, with its own program room
►A new Teen Space
►Triple the number of computers
►Three group study rooms
►A quiet reading room with a fireplace, for grownups only
►A large meeting room for library programs and community functions