Helen M. Plum Memorial Library

The Helen M. Plum Memorial Library is a public library in Lombard, Illinois.

Helen Plum Library
CountryUnited States
Typepublic
Established1927[1]
Location110 West Maple Street
Lombard, Illinois
Coordinates41°53′2.82″N 88°1′13.2″W
Collection
Size223,339[2]
Other information
DirectorBarb Kruser[3]
Websitehelenplum.org
Map

History

Josiah Reade established the first public library in Lombard at the First Church of Lombard in 1905.[4]

The Helen Plum Library and Lilacia Park were founded in 1927, according to the will of the late Colonel William R. Plum.[5][6]:190–191 Josiah Reade's collection was moved to the new library. The library was originally located in Plum's house, but moved to its current location in 1963.[4]

In 2003, the library received a $360,000 donation for books, equipment, and the establishment of a scholarship fund.[7]

In 2013, the library was given the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. This project aims to educate the public about the culture and history of Muslims in the United States.[8]

Barbara Kruser, the current director of the library, aims to increase programming and raise funding for a new building for the library.[9] In late 2015, the Board of Trustees began meeting to decide whether to expand or replace the current building.[10] In March 2016, the library decided to keep the library at the current location.[11] In November 2016, voters approved a referendum for the library to borrow $22.3 million to replace the library's current building.[12]

In 2020, the library announced its intent to develop a former grocery store property in Lombard.[13]

References
  1. John Drury (1977). Old Illinois Houses. William R. Plum House, Lombard. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. "Workbook 1-Library Statistics" (PDF). helenplumnextchapter.org. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  3. "Library Staff". Helen Plum Memorial Library. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  4. Margot Fruehe. "History of DuPage County: Lombard". dupagehistory.org. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  5. "Village History". villageoflombard.org. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  6. Lillian Budd (1977). Footsteps on the Tall Grass Prairie: a History of Lombard, Illinois. Lombard, Illinois: Lombard Historical Society. OCLC 3742261.
  7. Kathleen Isaacs (1 October 2003). "Teacher Leaves $360,000 to Library". Library Journal. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  8. "Helen Plum Library awarded Muslim Journeys Bookshelf collection from NEH & ALA". Chicago Tribune. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  9. Jessica Cilella (18 January 2015). "Lombard library director's goal: New library". Daily Herald. Politics. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  10. "Helen Plum Library Facility Reports Presented to Board". Helen Plum Library's Building & Services Improvement Project. December 11, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  11. "Commonly Asked Question #2". Helen Plum Library's Building & Services Improvement Project. March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  12. Cilella, Jessica (November 8, 2016). "Lombard voters approve bond issue for new library". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  13. "Response to Inquiries Regarding Library". Lombard, IL. Retrieved June 30, 2020. The Library has announced its intent to redevelop the former Mr. Z’s grocery store property, undeveloped tract within the Mr. Z’s parking lot, and the existing office building at 425 S. Main Street. The existing buildings on the Subject Properties will be razed, and a new Library will be constructed on the consolidated properties.
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