Northbrook Public Library history

In the fall of 1953, the Civic Association voted to use its building fund of $27,500, money accumulated from 16 years of Northbrook Days, to erect a library building on the northeast corner of Shermer and Church streets.

In 1965 the Illinois legislature authorized the establishment of a network of regional library systems designed to improve overall service.

The Northbrook Public Library was a charter member -- in fact, the first member -- of the North Suburban Library System, which came into being in June 1966.

By 1967, the library had exceeded its capacity with a collection of 31,000 volumes, and voters approved a referendum for a new building at the library's current location at the corner of Cedar and Cherry, on the bank of the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River.

The new library--the northern half of the present building--opened May 25, 1969.

The Friends of the Library held their first book sale in 1970

First barcoded library cards and materials are introduced in 1974

Those were a quick 20 years, however, because by 1975 Northbrook had outstripped all growth predictions and the library needed expansion.

First printed and mailed library newsletter was published in 1976

Interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing is computerized, which allows patrons to locate and borrow materials from all 43 libraries in the North Suburban Library System in 1981

Reference Department receives a computer terminal, funded by a state grant, in 1982

First computer classes are offered on using our online catalog to search for materials ("How to use the OPAC") in 1986

Adult Summer reading club begins ​in 1991

Korean Language collection begins, courtesy of Korean Canaan Presbyterian Church in 1993

Plans were drawn up, costs estimated, and in a referendum on April 1, 1997, Northbrook’s voters approved of a bond issue of $10,250,000 to reconfigure and expand the existing facility.

The library closes on June 14, 1998, and temporarily relocates to the Jewel (now Sunset Foods) at 1133 Church St for the 12-15 month building expansion

The permanent building reopened its doors to the public on July 26, 1999; the official reopening ceremony was held on September 25, 1999.

Internet Basics classes begin in 2000

The Northbrook Public Library Foundation is formed in 2002

The library website (www.northbrook.info) is launched in 2003

In 2014, a $6.5 million construction project began to renovate the first floor meeting rooms and create a modern auditorium with tiered seating.

The building participates in Light It Up Blue to commemorate Autism Awareness Month and wins the Illinois Library Association Demco Library Innovative Award in 2015

The library’s makerspace, the Collaboratory, opens with the Peltz Digitization Room and the Peltz Digital Media Lab, thanks to a generous bequest from resident Howard Peltz in 2018

The first One Book, One Northbrook was held in July 2019, featuring programs that explored the book Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.

In March 2020, the library closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reopens the building to patrons from July through November with limited services