The Wait is Over! The South Elgin Branch is Re-Opening
Dear Library Community,
After two years of dedicated work, planning and anticipation, we are thrilled to announce that the doors to your beloved South Elgin Branch are finally swinging open! Your patience and unwavering support during this expansion has been truly remarkable.
When you voted to pass the Library referendum in 2020, community feedback emphasized the need for a South Elgin Branch expansion. Since then, it has been our number one priority to fulfill this wish. This hasn’t been just a renovation; it’s a transformation, designed with you in mind. And this transformation reflects our deep commitment to serving you and enriching the lives of all of our residents.
This Branch is more than just a Library; it’s a vibrant hub designed to foster connection, ignite curiosity, and empower lifelong learning for all visitors. Here, you’ll discover innovative program spaces, comfortable areas for collaboration and quiet study, expanded collections, and resources tailored to meet the evolving needs of this amazing community.
It would be our honor for you to join us at our Grand Re-Opening Celebration so that you can experience firsthand the exciting changes, meet our dedicated team, and participate in the festivities planned for this special day.
We are immensely proud to unveil a space that we believe will exceed your expectations.
Thank you,
- Jean Bednar, President, Board of Trustees & Carole Medal, CEO, Gail Borden Public Library District
South Elgin Branch Grand Re-Opening Celebration
127 S. McLean Blvd., South Elgin
Saturday, 6/21 l 11 am - 2 pm
Experience this exciting, expanded new space with:
- A ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Fun prizes for the first 200 people who enter
- Live music from local performers
- An interactive scavenger hunt
- Kids crafts
- Treats & refreshments
- And so much more
*Please note: The South Elgin Branch will open at 11 am on June 21 and remain open until 5 pm. www.gailborden.info/sebranchexpansion
KCT Credit Union - A Division of Consumers Credit Union will celebrate with us as they also reveal the Grand Opening of their South Elgin Branch location.
We're excited to share that the South Elgin Branch expansion is making great progress! The essential infrastructure is nearly complete, and we hope to begin Phase 2 - interior and exterior construction very soon.
We anticipate the South Elgin Branch is still on schedule to reopen in early summer. This new space will nearly triple in size (from 4,300 square feet to 12,000 square feet), and will include many new amenities for users, including an enlarged children's area and activities room, more study rooms, a baby garden, a wellness room and so much more.
We have received many inquiries regarding naming opportunities at the new Branch and we're excited to offer the community an opportunity to be a part of this project. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more please contact Denise Raleigh, Director of Development, at draleigh@gailborden.info.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we bring this exciting new chapter to life for South Elgin and the Gail Borden Public Library District. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels as we share more updates — including a projected reopening date — very soon.
South Elgin Branch to Close During its Renovation
Starting August 12, 2024
The South Elgin Branch is closed for renovation construction. The expansion will increase the space from 4,300 square feet to 12,000 square feet, creating more access to reading, technology and meeting space that is so important to the community.
When it reopens in the early summer of 2025, the customer space will have almost tripled and there will be many new amenities for users.
Customers will enjoy –
- An enlarged children’s area and activities room
- More study rooms
- An enlarged meeting room
- A baby garden
- A wellness/parent’s/staff room
- And much more.
While the South Elgin Branch is closed, we encourage you to use the Rakow Branch (2751 W. Bowes Rd.) and the Main Library (270 N. Grove). The South Elgin book return will continue to be maintained during this closure. The Library will be moving staff from South Elgin to Rakow and expanding Rakow Branch hours to match those of the Main Library’s starting September 3, 2024.
The Gail Borden bookmobile will be visiting the South Elgin Branch parking lot on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am - noon.
Plaques & Naming Opportunities
