The Rakow Branch, located at 2751 W. Bowes Road in Elgin, Illinois, opened on Aug. 15, 2009. The branch features a popular collection, gardens, an external 24/7 DVD dispenser and is an environmentally friendly LEED registered building. The branch hours of operation are:
To browse and save movies for yourself for five hours in the Mediabank 24/7 DVD dispenser, click here.
To learn more about the Rakow Branch including a map, see below.
To view pictures of the Rakow Branch Open House, please click here.
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, l 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).
Multi-talented librarian Margaret Peebles is the branch manager. An employee of Gail Borden Public Library for over ten years, she has experience as both a youth and adult librarian. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Illinois State University and a Master of Library Science degree at Dominican University.
“I am excited to be opening the branch. It will be such a valuable addition to this community. Libraries are the original recyclers, and we will continue in that role, loaning books and DVDs in an environmentally friendly fashion. The branch building is not only ‘green,’ it is also beautiful, located in a natural setting,” said Peebles.
Green Features:
A geothermal well system that responds to the earth’s constant temperature of approximately 55 degrees will save energy when heating or cooling the building.
The high albedo roof is coated in reflective materials that lower absorption of solar energy, reduce surface temperatures and decrease heat transfer into the building.
Maximum natural light and sensor controlled artificial lighting to minimize electric light usage.
Extended exterior overhangs provide sunscreens to control natural light.
Drought-resistant native plants and grasses as well as rainwater management will eliminate the need to irrigate the gardens surrounding the building.
Use of low-emitting materials will improve indoor air quality.
Friendly neighbor parking lot lighting focuses light downward.
Rakow Branch
The “Rakow Branch” is the name of the new branch library thanks to a generous donation to the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation. Community leaders and supporters Tom and Sue Rakow, their children and grandchildren chose to honor Melvin E. “Pete” and May T. Rakow and their daughter Barbara Rakow Rietz (Tom’s parents and sister)with this gift.
“We are so happy that this wonderful new branch will be named ‘Rakow.’ The family has been so instrumental in building this community that linking ‘Rakow’ and library for posterity is an extraordinarily great fit,” said Libby Hoeft, Gail Borden Public Library Foundation President.
“We are tremendously pleased that Tom and Sue Rakow and their family chose to honor the library district with this gift,” added Rick McCarthy, Gail Borden Public Library Board of Trustees President. “Their generosity will make a difference to this community for generations.”
Tom Rakow, Chairman of IHC Construction Companies LLC, explained that he and his family provided this support because “we think the library is critical to the well-being of the whole community.”
The Rakows have a long and significant history of supporting the community. They have been instrumental in sustaining many organizations and causes including the Ecker Center, the Boy Scouts, Easter Seals Jayne Shover Center telethon and the Larkin Center.
Tom is a past recipient of the United Way’s Willis A. Reed Humanitarian Award and Sue has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Elgin Cosmopolitan Club.
May, 2008 - The Library's New Green Branch is Underway
On May 10, current and past library trustees firmly gripped shovels and moved the earth at the site of the new branch library. Many well wishers attended the groundbreaking ceremony at the location just west of the intersection of Bowes and Randall roads in Elgin.
The west side branch will become a reality in 2009. Voters approved a referendum in 2000 to build a west side branch. Library officials waited until there was sufficient tax revenue growth to operate the branch before moving to construction.
The $4.2 million branch library will debut at 10,000 square feet and is designed for expansion to 30,000 square feet.
Materials for checkout will be current, popular items. Many self service elements such as an outdoor 24/7 DVD kiosk will be featured.
The branch will be built with sustainable elements in mind to save the taxpayers money in the long term and to be responsible stewards of the environment.
The Library Board is seeking LEED certification for the branch . This designation is awarded by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System™, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
On June 2, over 600 wish stones, containing people's hopes for the branch, were placed under the foundation. The stones held many sentiments, such as 'I love the branch," "Libraries Rock," "Gail Borden is awesome!" "Let your mind explore the Universe," "Finally a Branch," and "We look forward to visiting." The number one wish was "Reading Rocks."
Land for the branch was donated by Pulte Homes to the City of Elgin.
Views of the branch include the exterior, the reading room and the promenade.
There are many ways to participate in supporting this branch. There are naming opportunities and a tile mural project that will offer a wonderful visual display highlighting both our natural environment and people in this community. Please call 847.429.5981 or email for more information.
Library executive director, Carole Medal, talks about the branch with Jeff Myers on Elgin Today.
This information will be changing. Please check back often.
Questions? Please call Denise Raleigh at (847) 429-5981.
- Gail Borden Public Library District - Copyright 2010 -
The Rakow Branch, located at 2751 W. Bowes Road in Elgin, Illinois, opened on Aug. 15, 2009. The branch features a popular collection, gardens, an external 24/7 DVD dispenser and is an environmentally friendly LEED registered building. The branch hours of operation are:
Land for the branch was donated by Pulte Homes to the City of Elgin.
