Waukegan Public Library

Mission Statement:

To put quality in our patrons’ lives by providing opportunities to learn, gather, be informed and entertained.

History:

The Waukegan Public Library has a long history of distinguished service in Waukegan. The library as we know it today was preceded by several operating systems, the first being the Little Fort Reading Room and Library Association founded on November 24, 1845. Each member paid twenty-five cents per quarter support fee. Along with this fee, members were able to place a book into the library for others to check out. Over one hundred and fifty books were collected and housed in the Court House. Unfortunately, twelve years later, the library was destroyed when the Courthouse burned down on October 27, 1857.

The Club then took steps to convince city officials to provide support for the library through a tax-supported system. In June of 1898, the city accepted the library and its effects as a gift from the Library Association and on November 1, 1898, a tax-supported Waukegan Public Library became a reality.

During a period in the 1930's the library opened and operated three branches--one located at McAlister and May Streets in the Lyons Building; another at Washington and Elmwood Avenue in the Hutchison Building; and a third at Grand and Yeoman Street in the Yeoman Building.

major renovation project was completed in 1998 which added 16,000 square feet of public space without moving or adding on to the current building. The lower level had remained unfinished with the idea that library collections continue to expand.