Quad-Cities’ First Free Public Library Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary
150 years ago, Rock Island citizens were eagerly awaiting the opening of the community’s first-ever truly free library on November 25, 1872. The Library will celebrate its 150th anniversary as the first library to actually open for business in Illinois with a community birthday party on November 10.
The Rock Island Library kicks off a full-year of anniversary celebrations with the free public party from about 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 10 on the second floor of the Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The drop-in event immediately follows the final Frieze Lecture, with speeches and proclamations starting the event. Activities available throughout the party include cake, refreshments, and special giveaways. Guests may also sign the library’s birthday banner, which will be displayed at events throughout the anniversary year, take a behind-the-scenes library tour, and meet the first librarian, Miss Ellen Gale (as portrayed by library board member Jo Noon.)
Current library director Angela Campbell noted that it truly is the Year of the Library. “The creation of the Rock Island Public Library set the stage for literacy in Rock Island. Throughout 150 years, we have continued to thrive, changing over time to meet the needs of the community. Our newest endeavor, a shared space with the Two Rivers YMCA on 30th Street, will be yet another way to keep our literacy efforts alive. Please join us in celebrating all of our accomplishments, as well as our future.”
Library history will be on display at the event, and the public is also invited to bring their own items for placement in the library’s time capsule. Poems, photos, drawings, clippings, small books/trinkets, memories, and notes of the library’s past and present are all welcome. Items will be collected over the anniversary year, and placed in a 10” x 12” x 15” container for preservation in Special Collections. The library plans to mark the capsule for reopening in 25 years, at the 175th anniversary.
“The details you provide about your item will help future community members understand the past. Even if you don’t have an item to contribute, you can write a note for future library lovers to read and enjoy,” said Karrah Kuykendall, RIPL Reference and Adult Services Director.
Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite book character or show their library card to receive an additional ticket for door prize drawings. Other activities at the event include opportunities for guests to pose for a picture by a professional photographer. Guests are encouraged to bring a favorite book or pick one from the library, or hold their library card. Participants will be emailed after the event with a link to download their keepsake photo. The photo is theirs to keep, with printing up to the participant. The brief photo sessions will be available while time allows until 5:30 pm.
Inside the Children’s Room on the Ground Floor, guests can emboss a treasure chest cutout, and add their thoughts to the “Our Library is a Treasure” column. The children’s room is also the location to pick up an entry for the all-ages “150 is Pretty Nifty” bookmark contest. Entry forms will be available until December 9, with all entries due by December 10. Prizes available for children, teens, and adults.
A commemorative library bag will be available for purchase for $6 at library service desks, and since the event is during open hours, guests can also check out items and renew or apply for a library card. (A list of 150 ways to use the library will be available. See how many you can check off!) The library birthday party is free and open to all – just like the library!
The library began celebrating in September with the availability of a commemorative library card and a display about the construction of the Downtown Library addition, The Big Build. The library’s October and November Frieze Lecture Series partnership with Augustana College also marked the occasion with the theme “Ideas that Changed Everything.” A year of anniversary events marking local and national history of the past 150 years is planned through November 2023. (Editors: See list at end.)
The citizen-led initiative to open the Rock Island Public Library began in August 12, 1872, when the private Young Men’s Literary Association generously offered its entire collection, furnishings, and the services of its librarian to the City of Rock Island. The offer allowed Rock Island to open much earlier than other cities who had to purchase materials. [Note to editors: a historical timeline is listed at the end of the release.)
“Library services in Rock Island predate our first building. The library’s first location was in rented rooms inside the Mitchell & Lynde bank building, then located at 2nd Avenue and 17th Street,” said Lisa Lockheart, library publicity and outreach liaison. With the permission of property owner Modern Woodmen of America, the library plans to install a stone marker on the site as a lasting legacy.
For more news and events from the Rock Island Public Library, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow the library on social media, or call the library at 309-732-READ.
Rock Island Public Library History Timeline
- March 7, 1872: Local Library Act passed, allowing municipalities to levy a tax for the operation of free public libraries.
- August 12, 1872: The Young Men’s Literary Association presents an offer to Rock Island City Council to turn over the entire contents of their private library for the public good. The City Council accepts the offer, and passes an ordinance to create a public library for Rock Island, setting a tax rate of one-half mill per dollar of assessed valuation (well below the one-mill rate permitted by the Illinois Legislature.)
- October 12, 1872: First public board of library trustees appointed.
- October 18, 1872: Library Board elects officers, and approves renting rooms on the 2nd floor of the Michell & Lynde bank building, off 2nd Avenue & 17th Street. The library will remain here until 1903.
- October 29, 1872: Library board meets to prepare for opening. A single 48-foot by 28-foot-wide room is rented for $150 per year. The entrance is on what is now West 17th Street. By-laws, operating hours, and library rules are adopted.
- November 7, 1872: Furniture and books moved into the Mitchell & Lynde site from the YMLA address (in the Bailey & Boyle block, just next door.) The inventory lists 2,174 volumes, periodicals, and documents, and assorted furniture.
- November 25, 1872: The “Rock Island Public Library & Reading Room” opens for the first time, with the first librarian, Miss Ellen Gale, in charge. Thanks to the YMLA donation, it is the first library to actually open in Illinois following the passing of the Local Library Act.
- November 26, 1872: A special board meeting was called to approve renting a second room, due to the public’s enthusiastic response the day before.
- December 25, 1872: After just one month of operation, 540 patrons had checked out 1,346 books.
- January 17, 1873: Hours were extended to meet heavy demand.
- January 25, 1873: 3,311 patrons had used the library, with 683 of them checking out 1,883 books.
- February 25, 1873. Use continues to grow, with 4,083 library visits, and 2,073 checkouts.
Year of the Rock Island Library Activities
- November 10, 2022: Still Nifty at 150! Birthday Party
- November 14, 2022:Dedication of marker at first library location, 10 am, southwest corner of 2nd Avenue & 17th Street, Rock Island.
- November 14, 2022 –Proclamation “Year of the Library” at Rock Island City Council meeting.
- November 2022:Mini-Museum Display from Karpeles Museum at the Rock Island Downtown Library: The Birth of the Public Library in the United States (1698). Documents from Dr. Thomas Bray (1656-1703)
- November 29: A Library Is Born, the Prequel,2 pm, Downtown Library. Early beginnings of libraries in Rock Island. Presented by James Shearouse.
- December 1, 2022: Opening the Archives, with Augustana College, 1pm, Downtown Library. Inside look at the archives of our local college library. Presented by Thomas Tredway Library archivist.
- 2023 Rock Island Arsenal History Series: Talks on thehistory of the Rock Island Arsenal, the US Military, and the Quad Cities. 2pm, Jan. 11, March 8, April 12, May 10, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8
- Winter Reading Challenge, January 14- February 25, 2023. Read 150,000 minutes, all ages.
- 150thBook Club Series: Quarterly discussions at 6 pm on books relating to local interests, other 150th milestones, and the world of libraries.
o January 12: The Department of Rare books and Special Collections, 6 pm.
o April 6: Leave Only Footprints, 6 pm
o July 13: Road to Perdition, the Novel, 6 pm
o October 19: The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, 6pm
- Jan. 17: The History of the Public Library in America,2pm, Downtown, presented by Nathan Simmons. Overview of the public library movement.
- History, In Person! with Brian Fox Ellis. First-person recreation of a character from history.
o Wednesday, February 8, at 6 pm: Walt Whitman’s Lincoln
o Wednesday, June 14, at 6pm: Adventures with John James Audubon
o Wednesday, October 11, at 6pm: Black Hawk’s View of American History
- February 9: 5pm, History Lecture with Dr. Jane Simonsenof Augustana College, Watts-Midtown Branch. Details TBA.
- February 11: Unearthing a Local Legend, with David Sebben, 11 am, Downtown. Forgotten history of Sol Butler, Rock Island track and field champion, Olympian, and NFL trailblazer.
- April 25:“Unconditional Surrender” – US Grant.” Performance by Pete Grady playing Ulysses S Grant. Grant was president when the library was founded, and has roots in Northern Illinois. 2pm, Downtown Library.
- June 1 to July 31, 2023:Summer Reading Challenge, Find Your Voice.
- July 2023: Party in the Park & Lantern Parade,hosted by Rock Island Parks & Recreation and Rock Island Library, Longview Park. Community party and re-creation of a once-beloved community event, cardboard lantern parades. Details TBA.
- October 19-November 09, 2023:Frieze Lecture Series with Augustana College, theme TBA.
- November 25, 2023: Time Capsuleplaced in history room, for opening in 25 years.
- November 2023: Reissue date for Miss Gale’s Books(a history of the library originally published as part of the 125th anniversary) with new material.
- November 25, 2023:Evening reception/fundraiser “New Beginnings” finale to celebration
project with QC Pastport
For updates, see the library calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org.
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