Helen M. Plum Memorial Library

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

Helen Plum Library
Helen Plum Library logo
Exterior of the new library building facade, a modern glass and cream-colored brick building with the library's logo in white.
Helen Plum Library facade as of May 2023
41°52′47.1318″N 88°1′3.64″W
Location411 South Main Street
Lombard, Illinois, United States
Typepublic
Established1927 (1927)[1]
Collection
Size223,339[2]
Other information
DirectorClaudia Krauspe[3]
Public transit accessMainline rail interchange  UP-W [4]
Websitehelenplum.org

History
Entrance to the library's former location on Maple Street in Lombard

Josiah Reade established the first public library in Lombard at the First Church of Lombard in 1905.[5]

The Helen Plum Library and Lilacia Park were founded in 1927, according to the will of the late Colonel William R. Plum.[6][7]: 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 location at 110 W. Maple Street in 1963.[5][8]

In 2003, the library received a $360,000 donation for books, equipment, and the establishment of a scholarship fund.[9]

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.[10]

Barbara Kruser, the former director of the library,[11] aimed to increase programming and raise funding for a new building for the library.[12] In late 2015, the Board of Trustees began meeting to decide whether to expand or replace the current building.[13] In March 2016, the library decided to keep the library at the current location.[14] In November 2016, voters approved a referendum for the library to borrow $22.3 million to replace the library's current building.[15]

In 2020, the library announced its intent to develop a former grocery store property in Lombard.[16] On March 9, 2021, the library closed on the properties located at 411 and 425 South Main Street, which formerly housed Mr. Z's grocery store and the Art Life Gallery and Studio. The village hosted the groundbreaking at the site of the new library on June 15, 2021.[17] The existing library permanently closed on March 8, 2023, in preparation for an April 2023 grand opening at the new site.[18][19][20] The new library was opened to the public on April 22, 2023.[21]

References
  1. John Drury (1977). Old Illinois Houses. William R. Plum House, Lombard. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. "Workbook 1-Library Statistics" (PDF). helenplumnextchapter.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  3. "Leadership Team". helenplum.org. Retrieved April 23, 2023. Claudia Krauspe, Executive Director
  4. maps.google.com
  5. Margot Fruehe. "History of DuPage County: Lombard". dupagehistory.org. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  6. "Village History". villageoflombard.org. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  7. Lillian Budd (1977). Footsteps on the Tall Grass Prairie: a History of Lombard, Illinois. Lombard, Illinois: Lombard Historical Society. OCLC 3742261.
  8. Tandy, Annie (21 April 2023). "New Lombard Library! Photos of Helen Plum Library". Kidlist. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  9. Kathleen Isaacs (1 October 2003). "Teacher Leaves $360,000 to Library". Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  10. "Helen Plum Library awarded Muslim Journeys Bookshelf collection from NEH & ALA". Chicago Tribune. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  11. "Statement on our Executive Director". helenplum.org. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  12. Jessica Cilella (18 January 2015). "Lombard library director's goal: New library". Daily Herald. Politics. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  13. "Helen Plum Library Facility Reports Presented to Board". Helen Plum Library's Building & Services Improvement Project. December 11, 2015. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  14. "Commonly Asked Question #2". Helen Plum Library's Building & Services Improvement Project. March 14, 2016. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  15. Cilella, Jessica (November 8, 2016). "Lombard voters approve bond issue for new library". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on February 5, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  16. "Response to Inquiries Regarding Library". Lombard, IL. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. 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.
  17. "411 Main Retrospective". Helen Plum Library. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  18. "Update on Activity at New Building Site". helenplum.org. March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  19. "Groundbreaking at the Site of the New Helen Plum Library | Helen Plum Library". www.helenplum.org. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  20. "The Big Move | Helen Plum Library". www.helenplum.org. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  21. "Lombard to celebrate opening of new Helen Plum library this weekend".
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