Institutional Member Spotlight - Dunlap Public Library District
April 7, 2025
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Our latest Institutional Member Spotlight is on the Dunlap Public Library District located in Dunlap, Illinois.
Library's History
The Dunlap Library began in 1939 when four local women, Myrtle Wilmot, Vesta Stephenson, Mabel Elwell, and Virginia Ballou, formed the Dunlap Community Library Guild. They collected 23 books and ran the lending from Mrs. Elwell’s home in the village.
The collection continued to grow, and from 1939 to 1962 was housed in several successive locations including the Dunlap Grange, the old Dunlap Grade School, a bookmobile, and the new Dunlap Grade School.
In 1962 the library moved to its own free-standing building, with additions made in 1994 and 1996.
In 2007 a referendum was passed to build a completely new library on our existing lot along the Rock Island Trail. Construction was completed in 2009 on our current library, designed in the Prairie style it features an open floor plan with a meeting room, a private study room, multiple study carrels, and separate areas for children and young adults.
Mission Statement
We strive to develop a community hub for free expression of ideas, and connection to learning and entertainment.
Patrons Served Annually
Our service population includes 6,482 people. In the calendar year 2024, we welcomed 47,776 visitors into our library.
Departments
Circulation, Youth Services, Adult Services, Tech Services. We have five full-time employees, with fifteen employees total.
Staff Member Who’s Worked at The Library The Longest
Our Adult Services Librarian has been in her position for the last 12 years but has worked at the library since 2008. The five members of our leadership team have a combined 56 years of experience working at the Dunlap Public Library District.
Newest Staff Member
We currently have three high school pages that all started working at the library in June, 2024.
Why Did You Become an ILA Institutional Member?
We became an institutional member because we believe so strongly in the ILA’s mission of bringing library professionals together and fostering a library community to support each other.
Best Thing About Being an ILA Institutional Member?
We take part in many of the educational opportunities that ILA provides and enjoy learning about other libraries in Illinois.
Fun Facts About the Library
Our library has come full circle! The original library in Dunlap was started and administered by four friends in the village and now we have a Friends group. Last year, for the first time in our library’s history, an official Friends of the Dunlap Library group was created. Our new Friends group is having its first large fundraiser for the library in March 2025, an 18-hole mini-golf event in the library.
Popular Events/Programs with Patrons
Story times are a weekly favorite for patrons, and our annual Gingerbread House Decorating program is always a hit. We’ve discovered that the perfect way to kick off our summer reading is by having an outdoor foam party! Our adult services librarian offers chair yoga and yoga four times a week, either in person or by Zoom, that is very popular. And we have a large following for any in-person programs focusing on crafts, fiber arts, and cooking.
Favorite Event
We have high hopes for our Friends mini-golf fundraiser and would like to make it an annual event!
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
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