About the Library

Fast Facts

• Recipient of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Services

• Recipient of the 2010 Elgin Hispanic Network Organization of the Year

• Main Library opened in October 2003 - 139,980 sq ft

• Third largest public library building in Illinois, after Chicago and Schaumburg

• Rakow Branch opened in August 2009 - 10,598 sq ft

• Achieved LEED Gold status (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

• Serve 133,959 residents in Elgin, South Elgin and portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood and Bartlett

• Serve the 5th largest library population after the cities of Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, and Naperville

• Largest library district in the State of Illinois for population served

• 88% of residents are cardholders

• 1,001,436 visitors

• Over 2 million items loaned

• 474,372 items in collections

• Over 1600 library programs attended by 66,000 people

5 year comparison from 2005 – 2010:

+  Circulation of materials increased by 79%

+  Programs increased by 49%

+  Attendance at programs increased by 93%

+  Visitor attendance increased by 27%

20 awards received (international, national, state, and local)