Centennial Celebration
The library has led with innovation technology and outreach for more than a century. More than a building, it is the heart of Arlington Heights, where all ages gather, learn and discover.
A Century of Stories
What began as a collection of 150 books in the living room of Effie and Lucy Shepard has grown over more than a century into a state-of-the-art library with more than two million items, a dedicated makerspace building and a strong community presence.
As early as 1888, our community had an informal lending library, and in 1926 it officially became a public library. Since then, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library has consistently embraced what’s new, offering evolving formats from books and LPs to eBooks and adaptive technologies, providing early access to computers, audiobooks and assistive devices.
Serving a growing, multigenerational community has always been central to the library’s mission. The bookmobile now visits dozens of stops, while outreach staff connect with residents through schools, community events and at-home delivery, ensuring access to materials at every stage of life. The library prides itself on being a community builder, supporting lifelong learning, fostering connections and helping residents feel at home.
After more than a century serving Arlington Heights, we can’t wait to see what’s next.
Featured Event: 100th Birthday Party
Sunday, April 19, 1–4 p.m. / Throughout the library
Celebrate the library’s 100th birthday at the party of the century! Tour the library’s new exhibit honoring “A Century of Stories” and test your knowledge at Decades Trivia. Search for clues in a building-wide scavenger hunt and enjoy entertainment for all ages with live music, magic tricks and juggling. Families can make crafts in Kids’ World and the Hub or stop by the Lindsey Room to meet the library’s new storytime puppet. Refreshments provided. Registration recommended to receive event updates.
1-4 p.m. Scavenger hunt throughout the library. Crafts and activities for families in Kids’ World and the Hub. Refreshments (by Soha’s Sweets) and library giveaways on the first floor.
1:30 p.m. See what’s going in the time capsule! Welcome and opening remarks on the first floor.
2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Decades Trivia in the Cardinal Room (two sessions).
2-4 p.m. Live music by Butterbean on the first floor.
2-4 p.m. Family entertainment with El Mago the Magician and juggling by Jason Kollum in Kids’ World and the first floor. Meet our new Storytime Puppet (10-minute storytimes) in the Lindsey Room.
All Day: Tour the library’s new exhibit honoring “A Century of Stories” on the first floor.
Save the Date & Celebrate
- 100th Birthday Party: Sunday, April 19, 1–4 p.m. / Throughout the library
- Exhibit: A Century of Stories: April 19–August 31 / First Floor
- Centennial Confections: Wednesday, April 8 & Tuesday, May 5 / Makerplace, 112 N. Belmont Ave.
- Library in the Community at the Farmers Market: Saturday, May 23, 9–11 a.m. / 110 W. Fremont St.
- Join the Library in the Fourth of July Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4 / Downtown Arlington Heights
- Celebrating a Century of Fun: Thursday, August 13, 1–3 p.m. / Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Rd.
- Makerplace 5th Anniversary Party, Date TBD September / Makerplace, 112 N. Belmont Ave.
Library History
Origins (1853–1887)
Origins (1853–1887)
1853: August 28, 1853 — William Dunton sells land to the Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad Company and establishes Bradley (soon renamed Dunton).
1874: Dunton is renamed Arlington, then Arlington Heights.
1887: Origins traced to a ladies’ reading circle organized in the home of Mrs. Amos (Elizabeth) Walker, inspired by the Chautauqua movement.
Early Growth (1888–1925)
Early Growth (1888–1925)
1888: January 16, 1888 — Elizabeth Walker hosts the first Women’s Reading Circle social event and begins circulating books.
1889: Emily Draper becomes the first self‑proclaimed librarian; grows the collection from <100 to >750 books.
1894: Collection settles at Effie & Lucy Shepard’s home, 310 N. Dunton Ave.; public welcomed two days a week for the next15 years.
1896: Arlington Heights Woman’s Club formalizes a public library at the Shepards’ home; initial collection contains150 books.
1898–1908: Annual ‘Library Day’ events raise funds and book donations for the growing collection.
1902: First annual fee instituted: 25¢ per member (Would equal about $10 in 2026).
1905: July 20, 1905 — North School authorized; Reading Circle (collection contains 750 books) begins distributing books there.
1909: Library moves to a room in the school building (St. James Street); remains there for 18 years.
1918: North School library hires its first librarian, Irene Russell ($75/month); she serves through 1950 in library/school roles prior to the formation of the public library. 1919: Nellie Noyes Best succeeds Emily Draper as Women’s Reading Circle president/leading librarian.
Public Library Establishment (1926–1945)
Public Library Establishment (1926–1945)
1926: April 17, 1926 — Library opens to the public on the second floor of People’s Bank. March 29, 1926 — Voters approve creating a public library (587–306). First board: Nathaniel Banta, Lillian Russell, Rev. John Beatty. Room rented above People’s State Bank ($16/month). Frances Jenkinson is the first public library librarian selected by the first elected board.
1927: April 20, 1927 — Village votes to add a tax to fund library services.
1930: Feb 24–26, 1930 — Library moves from People’s Bank to the Village Municipal building on Vail. Velda Utterbock was the librarian at the Municipal Building; she resigns; Mary Jane Baxter takes over for her in 1930 and serves 19 years.
1946: October 14, 1946 — Voters approve using leftover war bonds to establish a “memorial library” honoring WWII service members.
Post‑War Expansion (1946–1967)
Post‑War Expansion (1946–1967)
1952: June 29, 1952 — 112 N. Belmont Ave. library (8,000 sq. ft.) opens; dedicated to service men and women. Children’s librarian Edith Lindsay debuts first children’s library; growth soon exceeds capacity (4,500 of 58,357 volumes stored offsite).
1956: August 1956 — Space and parking constraints force stacks into basement corners; visits limited to 2 hours/day.
1966: Building referendum led by board and Women’s Club president Florence Hendrickson.
Modernization & Outreach (1968–1999)
Modernization & Outreach (1968–1999)
1968: June 1968 — New 500 N. Dunton Ave. library (40,000 sq. ft.) opens with federal grant and bond funds; designed for 123,000 books. Belmont building sold to School District 25; later bonds approved to expand collections.
1973: July 10, 1973 — First bookmobile enters service (used 1966 model from Florida), championed by Executive Director Frank Dempsey.
1975: New bookmobile replaces the 1966 model.
1978: Library expanded to 76,000 sq. ft.; services and collections grow through the 1980s.
1982: Park Place Senior Center opens; library partners with Village and Park District to offer services for seniors.
1987: Margary Frisbie publishes This Bookish Inclination, the first library history, honoring the Women’s Reading Circle centennial.
1992: Voters approve $8.9M for a 56,000‑sq‑ft two‑story addition and renovation of the original facility.
1994: Two‑story addition completed; total space becomes 132,000 sq. Ft.
1998: New Arlington Heights Senior Center partnership adds a library Reading Room and Computer Lab.
21st Century Innovation (2000–2019)
21st Century Innovation (2000–2019)
2005: Dunton Avenue entrance renovated to meet ADA standards; added new façade and vending café.
2009: Library Journal awards AHML a Five‑Star rating (top 1% nationally) based on visits, circulation, program attendance and public internet use.
2010: Kids’ World renovated: new carpet, relocated desk, expanded preschool area, I Can Read zone, collection reorganization; funded with grants and general funds (no levy increase).
2011: Voted Business of the Year by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.
2012: October 2012 — $2.8M renovation adds expanded popular materials, more conference rooms, expanded teen area, improved training center; funded from savings (no levy increase).
2018: AHML Communications & Marketing team receives ALA National Award, John Cotton Dana Award, for #beinthecircle marketing campaign tied to 2017 OBOV selection The Circle.
2019: Kids’ World Assistant Manager Maria Papanastassiou receives ALA’s I Love My Librarian Award (1 of 10 nationwide) for accessibility work at the library.
Continued Growth (2020-Present)
Continued Growth (2020-Present)
2020: January 2, 2020 – Library goes “fine free,” eliminating fines for overdue items. During 2020 COVID‑19 closures, AHML pivots to curbside/walk‑up service, grab‑and‑go bundles, DIY kits, expanded eMaterials, extensive virtual programming; laptops for checkout; self‑service copy/print/scan/fax in garage.
2021: Accessibility Support Collection launches (350+ items; therapeutic/adaptive tools) with partner C.I.T.Y. of Support; among the largest in Illinois. September 19, 2021 — Makerplace opens at 112 N. Belmont Ave. (8,000 sq. ft.) with fabrication, 3D printing, creative arts, sewing/embroidery, and commercial‑quality teaching kitchen; funded via allocations, state grant, Foundation/Friends (no levy increase).
2022: AHML earns its 11th Library Journal Five‑Star rating; in the $10M–$29.9M range, only 10 U.S. libraries receive Five‑Stars; one of three in Illinois.
2023: September 2023–January 2024 — Kids’ World refresh: new Tween Space, Interactive Family Area (Everbright wall & floor projection), new entrance & café, Lindsey Room updates, Tinker Cart, all‑gender bathroom, Wellness Room, Imagination Station & Baby Garden. $745,000; funded within budget plus Friends ($6,600) & Foundation ($59,000) donations.
2024: May 2024 — 24/7 Pickup Lockers launch (garage first; added to Camelot Park & Heritage Park the following year); funded by Gallagher Insurance via AHML Foundation.
2025: June 2025 — StoryWalk® debuts at Recreation Park for the Park District’s 100th anniversary; permanent, seasonal children’s stories along a walking path; funded by Park District & AHML Foundation.
2026: Library celebrates its 100th anniversary of being named a public library in 2026 with special events and a historical exhibit.