Rakow Branch

The Rakow Branch, located at 2751 W. Bowes Road in Elgin, Illinois, opened on August 15, 2009. 
The branch features a popular collection, gardens, an external 24/7 DVD dispenser and is an environmentally friendly LEED  registered building.  

Address: 2751 W Bowes Rd Elgin, IL 60124	Phone: 847-531-7271
Building Hours Monday – Thursday Friday & Saturday           Sunday	9 a.m. - 8 p.m. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Noon - 5 p.m.
Drive Thru Window Hours
Monday – Thursday Friday & Saturday Sunday	9 a.m. - 8 p.m. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Noon - 5 p.m.

General Information About the Rakow Branch

For the first time in its 135 year history, the Gail Borden Public Library District opened its first branch. Opened on August 15, 2009, the “Rakow Branch,” located at 2751 W. Bowes Road, features a popular collection, a computer café, Zen gardens and a small “family room” with a fireplace. An external DVD dispenser, one of the first in a North American library, operates during all hours of the day and night, 365 days of the year.

The 10,000 square foot building, designed for expansion for up to 30,000 square feet, features environmentally sustainable elements and received gold LEED certification. (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Read about the branch’s “green” features (see below).

Enjoy this YouTube tour of the Rakow Branch Library >

Programs at the Branch

Click here to see all the programs at the Branch.

Family Storytimes, Read to Rover, a Book Club and various other activities take place at the Rakow Branch throughout the year. 

Rakow Readers Book Club
The Rakow Readers Book Group is for readers interested in reading and discussing contemporary fiction and nonfiction. 

• 2012 - 2013 schedule
• Meets at the Rakow Branch on the fourth Monday of each month.

Contact Susan at 847-531-7271 or sfarnham@gailborden.info.