Institutional Member Spotlight - Northbrook Public Library
February 3, 2025
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Our latest Institutional Member Spotlight is on the Northbrook Public Library located in the Village of Northbrook, Illinois.
Library's History
Northbrook Public Library’s history began in the early 1950s when dedicated members of several local organizations led an effort to rally the community to approve the creation of a public library. The vote passed by a slim margin of just six votes on May 20, 1951, and a little over a year later, the library opened its doors to welcome the community.
As the community continued to grow, the Village donated a large portion of a skating rink as a location for a new building, so the library moved half a mile to its new location and opened on May 26, 1969. Since then, Northbrook Public Library has continued to enrich lives and foster community connections, growing to 87,233 square feet of space spread across three vibrant floors.
Mission Statement
We build community, champion intellectual freedom, and provide open access to the world of knowledge in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
Patrons Served Annually
From the 2024 Illinois Public Library Annual Report, our library had over 294,000 total visits from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and served more than 20,000 card holders.
Departments
Administration, Adult Services, Circulation, Events Production, Facilities, Maker Services, Technical Services, Youth Services.
Staff Member Who’s Worked At The Library The Longest
Jim Miller in our Events Production Dept. recently celebrated his 45th work anniversary. He started with the library in 1979! (And, yes, he was just legally old enough to work.)
Newest Staff Member
We just welcomed our newest staff member, Connie Liu, as our new Cataloging Librarian in our Technical Services Department in November 2024.
Why Did You Become An ILA Institutional Member
Libraries thrive when we work together! By being an ILA Institutional Member, we connect with libraries across the state, sharing resources, ideas, and strategies to better serve our communities.
Best Thing About Being An ILA Institutional Member
It’s knowing we’re part of a larger mission. ILA helps introduce and champion legislation at the state and federal levels, securing funding and resources for libraries. As a cornerstone of our community, it’s empowering to know we have allies advocating for what we do every day.
Fun Facts About The Library
- A Jewel of a Library: During a building expansion in 1998, the library temporarily relocated to a nearby Jewel Foods store for about eleven months and won an award for our 4th of July Float that celebrated being “A Jewel of a Library.”
- Local Oral History: In collaboration with the Northbrook Historical Society, in 2008, the library initiated "Northbrook Voices," a project dedicated to recording and preserving personal stories of local residents. With almost 200 interviews to listen to, you can hear many stories, including a Holocaust survivor, an Olympic Speed Skater, and the founder of Northbrook’s Flamingo Friday.
- Connection to film director John Hughes: When you visit, make sure to look out our windows at the iconic water tower that once featured “SAVE FERRIS” in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This film (and many others) was written and directed by John Hughes, a former Northbrook resident whose legacy continues to inspire. You can also visit a memorial plaque and bench that honors Hughes near the library’s parking lot. It includes a photo and information about Hughes’ ties to Northbrook and offers a clear view of the water tower. It makes a great photo spot!
Favorite Event
Let’s Talk Series
In 2021, we launched our "Let's Talk" series to give our community a welcoming space to explore and discuss the big topics on everyone’s minds—like race, discrimination, the border crisis, and gender identity. These programs featured panels of experts, including Northbrook residents, who shared their lived experiences and perspectives. The programs resulted in powerful conversations that helped participants gain deeper insights into complex social issues and a stronger connection to the experiences of others. Attendees told us they left with a greater understanding of the topics and the people impacted by them, which is exactly what we hoped to achieve.
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
Latest Library JobLine Listings
