On Display Now

 

 

Upcoming Exhibit

Previous Exhibits

 
 

2023 (Feb 3 - Feb 28)
Experience the music of influential Black musicians from Chicago who changed the world. Musical artists from soul, jazz, blues, gospel, opera, rap, rock and funk genres will be put in the spotlight. Learn about how these talented musicians honed their craft and listen to a sample of their music.
 
 

2023 (Jan 24 - Mar 15)
ON TO 2050 will help the seven counties and 284 communities of northeastern Illinois achieve an inclusive and thriving region. It was developed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) in collaboration with partners.
 
 

2022 (October 7, 2022 - January 15, 2023)
Ahoy mateys! Adventure lands at the Library when Pirate Island arrives with a pirate ship and sailor skills to explore. Families will learn all about pirate legends and visit stations offering STEAM activities.
 
 
 

2022 (July - August 29)
Don’t miss The Wizard of Oz™ Educational Exhibit. This interactive fantasy-adventure based on the beloved movie classic takes children and families over the rainbow to the colorful Land of Oz, Munchkinland, The Emerald City and more.
 
The Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibition was created by Miami Children’s Museum and SPARKS,  in conjunction with Turner Entertainment Co. 
 
 

 

2022 (June 1-30)

What does pride mean to you? Do you have a special coming out story? In celebration of Pride Month, the Library invites you to add your story to the Gail Borden Public Library Community Collection on Biblioboard. Everyone’s story is unique and we welcome anecdotes, poems, drawings, paintings, videos, and songs that spotlight your journey. Thank you in advance for helping us build this special collection. Submit your story here.

 

2022 (March 1 – March 31)
Celebrate the accomplishments of fascinating Elgin women, including scientist Mildred A. Engelbrecht, baseball player Charlene Barnett, ballerina Lisa Boehm and many more. The exhibit is based on the book Elgin: A Women’s City by E.C. “Mike” Alft.
 

2022 (Feb 5 - Feb 28)

The City of Elgin proclaimed it Ernie Broadnax Day on July 30, 2021. Also in 2021, the Illinois House passed a resolution honoring him in part for, “his dedication to the Elgin community as an educator and historian...” Ernie Broadnax, travelled to Washington DC in 2010 to help the Gail Borden Library receive the highest honor that an American Library can receive, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Ernie Broadnax has contributed so much to this community, and we will be bringing a little of his story to the Library with The Settlement exhibit that will feature Fremont, Hickory and Ann streets, the “3” streets of the documentary “Project 2-3-1: Two Boxcars, Three Blocks, One City.” In partnership with the Elgin History Museum. 

 

2021 (Sept 1 - Oct 15)

 Discover the story of local Hispanics, who have brought rich diversity and cultural traditions to enhance our community. 

 

2021 (May 1 – May 31)

Elephants play a key role in Asian cultures, symbolizing power and strength. This exhibit is an exciting interactive exploration of Asian-Pacific culture, stories and performances. Our partners and community leaders gather to interact on the APAHC webpage that flows with artists, authors, educators and dancers unfolding online as we celebrate Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Panels highlighted local Asian Pacific history, focusing on the Laotian Americans in Elgin. The panels were created with help from the Elgin History Museum and individuals from the Laotian community.
 

2021 (March 3 – March 31)
This historic pandemic has brought the importance of health to the fore. It seems fitting that during Women's History Month we highlight women healthcare leaders within the community who worked to ensure that local residents had the proper healthcare. Learn about these leaders who established and ran AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital, Advocate Sherman Hospital, the Community Crisis Center and more.