Plainfield Public Library District

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Plainfield Public Library District serves residents and businesses of the village of Plainfield, Illinois and surrounding area. The library district's current population is in excess of 60,000 residents. The library is located at 15025 S. Illinois Street, Plainfield, IL 60544 near crossings of Lincoln Highway and U.S. Route 66 The street numbering convention was recently changed. The library's address under the old system was 705 N. Illinois St.

Contents 1 Library Statistics 2 History 3 Notes 4 External links

[edit] Library Statistics

July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006
Registered Cardholders 22,116
Annual Circulation 402,707
Total Holdings 99,828

[edit] History

McClester-Nimmons Village Library (1925-1988)

In 1925, Ebanezer & Celeste Nimmons left a $25,000 estate to either the Village of Plainfield or to Plainfield Township for the establishment of a tax supported public library. On June 9, 1925 the residents of the Village of Plainfield held a special election to vote on the establishment of a tax supported public library.^[1] The Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library, commonly referred to as the Village Library, creating a tax supported endowed Library. The first elected Board of Directors was: Stephen Wylie, Clinton Hartong, Robert Wolfe, Clyde Wolf, Grace Jones-Smith, and Eugenia Hadlock.^[2]

The Village Library opened its doors to the public in April of 1926, with 784 books. A formal opening was held April 30, 1926, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. There were thirty library cards issued that evening and it was reported that fifty people attended the event. Mrs. Hadlock, who had resigned from the Board of Directors, became the first Librarian. In May of 1926, Mrs. Hadlock reported that eighty-eight library cards had been issued as well as one township card.^[3] Library hours were from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. every afternoon, except on Sundays and Mondays. The Library was also open Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

For 16 years Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library, commonly known as the Village Library, was located in a small frame building on a lot on the south side of Lockport Street. This lot also contained a toilet building. The lot was east of the original part of the Plainfield National Bank building (now known as First Midwest Bank) and west of the Ray Burst building. The lot was purchased in November 1925 for $1,644 from the Plainfield State Bank.^[4] The original Library consisted of a room approximately 25 x 30 feet; divided into a children's corner, a non-fiction corner, and a fiction corner, with study tables in another section. Bookcases lined the walls. The entrance to the original Library was on Lockport Street. The Library had a linoleum-covered floor and was heated with a space heater. There was a room off to the rear of the building that was used for both storage and a staff work area. This frame building was used as the Library until 1941 when the Library moved to 705 N. Illinois Street.

In 1940, the Library Board comprised of: S. L. Wylie, President, C.F. Hartong, Treasurer, Margaret B. Jones, Dr. E. S. Stewart, Maude V. Overman and Belle Heggie Birkett decided that a new and larger facility was needed. The Board purchased a 50' x 132' lot from the Plainfield Congregational Church that year. ^[5] Mr. Kruegel, a Joliet architect, designed a 2,700 sq. ft. building to be built on the lot at 705 N. Illinois Street. Contractor Clifton Brown built the new library for $20,000. Proceeds from the estate of George and Marietta McClester in the amount of $13,000 were used to finance the new building. The remainder of the funding came from the Nimmons estate. The names of the two benefactors, McClester and Nimmons were carved in stone over the front entrance. Their names also became part of the Library's official name in 1941.^[6] The McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library opened its doors to the public on June 1, 1941. S. E. Clegg landscaped the new building. In addition, the Plainfield Garden Club planted a pink magnolia tree beside the steps leading to the Library. The magnolia tree graced the entrance to the Library until it was removed in 1991 to make room for the expansion of the original building. Mary Pierce Quilhot was the first librarian of the new facility.

On June 18, 1941, in the 62nd General Assembly of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois, Representative Warren Wood honored George and Marietta McClester and Eban and Celeste Nimmons with a resolution acknowledging their financial support of the Library. A copy of this Resolution, along with photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Eban Nimmons and Mr. and Mrs. George McClester hang in the present Library.

In 1948, the librarian, Mrs. Jessie Klett, started a Summer Vacation Reading Club.^[7] The room on the lower level of the Library was used as a meeting room for various organizations and activities including church groups, school classrooms, dance classes, 4H Club meetings, girl scout meetings, etc. Restrooms were located on the lower level along with a small workroom that served as a staff lounge area. Back issues magazines were housed in a small room at the foot of the stairs on the lower level.

In 1951, the Village Library hosted the Illinois Library Regional meeting. The Methodist Church helped the Library accommodate out-of-town librarians with meals and meeting room space.^[8]

In 1932, Fannie Stratton named the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library as a residual beneficiary in her will. In 1954, upon the death of Mrs. Stratton's primary beneficiary, Grace M. Rood, the Village Library became the sole beneficiary of Fannie Stratton's 160-acre farm located on Van Dyke Road between 143rd Street and Route 30.^[9] Mr. Howard Harshbarger was granted a two year lease on the farm. Proceeds from the sale of crops (corn and soybeans) were used to supplement the Library's operating budget. In September of 1954, Mrs. Jessie Klett tendered her resignation as the Library's Second Librarian effective November 1, 1954.^[10] Miss Thyra Hartong was named the new librarian by the Board in October.^[11]

In 1958, the Library acquired a telephone to better serve its patrons. In 1963, George Thompson was hired as the Library's tenant farmer.The farm remained a source of operating revenue for the library for 34 years. Current trustee Gwendolyn Krahn began her tenure on the Board with the job of overseeing farm operations with the farm manager.

In 1964, the fee for non-residents was raised from $1.00 per year for each adult (students were free) to: $5.00 per year for a family card $2.50 per year for an individual adult card $1.50 per year for all student cards

The lower level was converted to a Children's and Youth Library in 1966. Books for children, through junior high, were moved to this new area. The main floor was rearranged to provide tables and study space. The north half of the main floor was devoted to fiction while the south half housed the reference and adult non-fiction collections. Also in 1966, the Village Library became a member of the newly created regional library system, Bur Oak Library System.

The Library's Board of Trustees, concern for the growth of the Library, purchased the residence at 709 N. Illinois Street for $34,000 in 1978. On January 18, 1980, the Board of Trustees purchased the residence at 707 N. Illinois Street for $76,000. Plainfield National Bank handled mortgages for both pieces of property.

In 1977, McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library entered into a one year Intergovernmental Agreement for library service with Plainfield Township, which had established tax-supported library service outside the Village boundaries.

By the mid 1980's, the Village Library was housing a collection of nearly 30,000 items. The collection was rapidly outgrowing its 2,700 sq. ft. of space. In 1986, the Board of Trustees hired the architectural firm of Frye Gillan Molinaro to expand and remodel the existing Georgian style library building. At that time, the projected population for the Library's service area was 20,000 by the year 2010.

In August of 1986, the Plainfield Township Library Board again approached the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library Board for a one year Intergovernmental Agreement for library service. The Plainfield Township Library Board also proposed that at the end of the agreement, the two libraries merge to form a district library that would then serve all of Plainfield Township. Both Boards continued to discuss this concept through 1986.

On April 8, 1987, the Plainfield Township Library Board and the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library Board signed and one year Intergovernmental Agreement for library service and a Letter of Intent to merge the two libraries, effective July 1, 1987. A single library administrator to supervise both libraries until the time of the merger was a condition of the Intergovernmental Agreement. Both administrative positions happened to be vacant at the time the Intergovernmental Agreement was signed.

The Board of Trustees of the Village Library adopted a resolution on April 13, 1988 to convert to a district library. The Village Board, the corporate authority for the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library, approved that resolution on May 2, 1988.

On May 3, 1988, [Will County, Illinois|Will County] Circuit Court Judge Herman Haase entered an order of conversion on behalf of the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library. The name given this new library entity was the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District.

Meeting in special session on May 5, 1988, the Board of Trustees of the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District approved a Resolution of Intent to Merge with the Plainfield Public Library District (formerly the Plainfield Township Library).

Meeting in special session on May 5, 1988, the Board of Trustees of the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District approved a Resolution of Intent to Merge with the Plainfield Public Library District (formerly the Plainfield Township Library). A special joint sponsored public hearing was held on May 31, 1988 to obtain public comment and hear public objections to the pending merger.

Plainfield Township Library 1977-1988

In 1977, Plainfield Township created a tax-supported public library service for residents of the Township outside of the boundaries of the Village of Plainfield. The Plainfield Township Library Board contracted for its first year of service with the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library. The contract enabled the Village Library to provide library service to all residents of [Plainfield Township, Will County, Illinois|Plainfield Township].

At the expiration of the one year contract, the Plainfield Township Library Board contracted for three years (1978-1980) with the Lockport Township Public Library. The contract included bookmobile service to Plainfield Township.

Near the end of 1980, the Plainfield Township Library Board began negotiations with the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202. The two parties arrived at a contract in 1981 that allowed the Plainfield Township Library to occupy 900-sq. ft. of space in the Grand Prairie Elementary School located at 3100 Caton Farm Road.[1]

The first librarian for the Plainfield Township Library was Crystal Anson. The Library opened to the public on June 5, 1981. The Township Library occupied two classrooms adjacent to the Grand Prairie Media Center. The opening day collection contained over 9,000 items. Service hours for the new facility were 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The Township Library serviced not only township residents but Village residents as well. Mayre Jo George assumed the responsibility of operating the Township Library in 1982.

The Plainfield Township Library Board approached the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library Board in August 1986 to propose one year Intergovernmental Agreement for library service, as the two libraries had done in 1977. This time, however, the Plainfield Township Library Board also proposed an agreement for the libraries merge, forming a district library that would then serve all of Plainfield Township. Both Boards continued to discuss this concept through 1986.

On April 8, 1987, the Plainfield Township Library Board and the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library Board signed and one year Intergovernmental Agreement for library service and a Letter of Intent to merge the two libraries, effective July 1, 1987. A single library administrator to supervise both libraries until the time of the merger was a condition of the Intergovernmental Agreement. Both administrative positions happened to be vacant at the time the Intergovernmental Agreement was signed.

The Plainfield Township Library Board of Trustees passed a resolution calling for conversion to a library district on April 22, 1988. The Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors (the corporate authority for the Plainfield Township Library) unanimously approved the resolution of intent at their April 11, 1988 meeting.

On May 3, 1988, [Will County, Illinois|Will County] Circuit Court Judge Herman Haase entered an order on behalf of Plainfield Township to convert the Plainfield Township Public Library into a district library. This new entity was called the Plainfield Public Library District.

On May 5, 1988, Board of Trustees of the newly created Plainfield Public Library District approved a Resolution of Intent to Merge with the newly created McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District. A special joint sponsored public hearing was held on May 31, 1988 to obtain public comment and hear public objections to the pending merger.

Plainfield Public Library District July 1, 1988-Present

On August 10, 1987, Barbara Pitney was hired by the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library to administer both the Village Library and Plainfield Township Public Library. Technically an employee of the Village Library, her salary was paid in part by the Township Library according to provisions listed in the Intergovernmental Agreement.

On March 15, 1988, the residents of Plainfield (both Village and Township) were asked to vote on the following Plainfield Township Advisory Referendum Question of Public Policy: "SHALL THE PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP AND THE PLAINFIELD VILLAGE LIBRARIES BE MERGED INTO A SINGLE PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT?"

The vote was 3,697 in favor and 1,240 against merging the two libraries. With the voters' affirmative response, the Plainfield Township Library Board of Trustees passed a resolution calling for conversion to a library district on April 22, 1988. The Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors (the corporate authority for the Plainfield Township Library) unanimously approved the resolution of intent at their April 11, 1988 meeting.

The Board of Trustees of the Village Library adopted a resolution on April 13, 1988 to convert to a district library. The Village Board, the corporate authority for the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library, approved that resolution on May 2, 1988.

On May 3, 1988, Will County Circuit Court Judge Herman Haase entered an order of conversion on behalf of the McClester-Nimmons Village of Plainfield Free Public Library into the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District. On the same day, Judge Haase signed an order converting the Plainfield Township Library into a district library called the Plainfield Public Library District.

Meeting in special session on May 5, 1988, the Board of Trustees of the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District approved a Resolution of Intent to Merge with the Plainfield Public Library District (formerly the Plainfield Township Library). On the same day, Board of Trustees of the newly created Plainfield Public Library District approved a Resolution of Intent to Merge with the newly created McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District. A special joint sponsored public hearing was held on May 31, 1988 to obtain public comment and hear public objections to the pending merger.

On July 1, 1988 the Plainfield Public Library District was officially formed as the result of the merger of the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District and the Plainfield Public Library District (formerly the Plainfield Township Public Library).

The newly formed Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees consisted of the members of both library boards, for a total of 14 Trustees. Members from the former Board of Trustees of the McClester-Nimmons Plainfield Public Library District were Janet Anderson, Daryl Keene, Gwendolyn Krahn, David Kuhn, George Madden, Mary Neely and Patricia Mentzer. Members from the former Board of Trustees of the Plainfield Public Library District (Plainfield Township Library) were Carl Adams, Carolyn Gudgeon, George Metzler, David Pauley, David Peterson and Marge Rice. They served until the April 1989 election when a seven-member board was elected.

The Board of Trustees agreed the library's main facility would be the 2,736-sq. ft. building constructed in 1941, located at 705 N. Illinois in downtown Plainfield. The former township library, 900-sq. ft. of classroom space located in Grand Prairie Elementary School, became known as the branch library for the Plainfield Public Library District.

At the October 21, 1987 Board meeting, the Trustees decided to sell the 160 acre Stratton farm. A formal resolution authorizing the sale of the farm was passed that night. The firm of Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates surveyed the farm in February 1988. Mr. George Thompson, the Library's tenant farmer was notified in April 1988 that his contract for the 1989 planting season would not be renewed. It was with difficulty that the Board of Trustees said good-bye to George Thompson since the Stratton Farm had been a successful venture under his stewardship. On August 17, 1988, the Plainfield Public Library District Board decided to sell the Stratton farm at public auction. They hired the firm of Sheldon Good & Company to conduct the sale. AMLI Realty Company purchased the farm at auction for $1,520,000 on November 7, 1988. With the sale of the farm, the plan of building of a new library for Plainfield began to move forward.

In early 1989, the Library's administrative office relocated to the second floor of 707 N. Illinois Street, one of two houses adjacent to the main library owned by the library district.

At the April, 1989 election, the voters seated the seven-member Board of Trustees: Terry Brown, Gwendolyn Krahn, David Kuhn, George Madden, Patricia Mentzer, George Metzler and David Pauley.

On June 21, 1989 the Board of Trustees approved building plans from the architectural firm Frye Gillan Molinaro. Those plans called for a $3 million remodeling and expansion program that would enlarge the main library built in 1941 from 2,736-sq. ft. to 27,160 sq. ft.

Voters defeated the Library Board's $3 million building bond referendum on November 7, 1989 by a vote 1,122 for and 1,406 against. The library's lack of adequate space came to everyone's attention when on December 5, 1989 the Plainfield Fire Protection District cited the District's main library at 705 N. Illinois Street with numerous fire code and life safety violations that needed to be corrected within 180 days.

Shortly after the formation of the Plainfield Public Library District, the City of Joliet began a concentrated effort to annex into Plainfield Township. The annexations focused on the area between Caton Farm Road and Theodore Street along Rt. 59. As the City of Joliet continued to annex along the southern end of Plainfield Township, resulting in automatic disconnections of territory from the Library District, the Library District began to annex north into Wheatland Township. The Library District annexed Phase I of the Lakelands and the Chaplin Farm on December 12, 1989. The Plainfield Public Library District began efforts to provide service to areas of Wheatland Township that did not have library service.

On January 23, 1990, the Board of Trustees made its final mortgage payment to Plainfield National Bank for its 707 N. Illinois Street property.

In early 1990 Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees announced to Library District residents that the Library's annual operating budget would be supplemented with money from its reserve fund. This money would help pay for salaries of new personnel as well as other operating expenses related to expanded services and hours. The Board stated that when its reserve fund was depleted, the Library District would ask the community for a tax rate increase.

The Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees revised the library's financial plans in response to the failed building referendum. The decision was to construct the 27,160 sq. ft. building, but finish only 13,580 sq. ft. The remaining square footage would be completed at a later date. This new plan called for a $1.9 million bond issue with an additional $800,000 to $900,000 from the library district's special reserve fund, which held the proceeds of the Stratton farm sale. On March 20, 1990 the voters approved by 83 votes the $1.9 million bond referendum. The vote was 1,052 for and 969 against.

In March of 1990, the District applied for an Illinois State Library Project PLUS grant. Under the Project PLUS grant, the Library District agreed to provide free library service to the residents in Wheatland Township. After the initial year of free service, a referendum annexing the area into the Library District would be held on April 2, 1991. The District created a newsletter entitled, Quill & Query as part of the Project PLUS grant. Published three times a year in October, December and March, the first issue of the newsletter appeared October 8, 1990. The annexation referendum passed in Plainfield by nearly a 3 to 1 margin, 1,142 to 377 but fail in Wheatland Township by a vote of 47 to 82, causing the referendum to fail by default. The Quill & Query newsletter continued to be published.

On June 8-9, 1990, the administrative office moved to a temporary location at 517 W. Lockport Street, rented from Chuck Zimmerman. This move vacated the two Library-owned residences, at 707 & 709 N. Illinois Street, to accommodate the expansion and remodeling project beginning in early July.

Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees applied for a $250,000 Illinois State Library construction grant. A construction grant in the amount of $140,190 was awarded to the Library District in July 1990.

In July 1990, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Board notified the Library Board of Trustees that its lease ending June 30, 1991 would not be renewed. Growth in the School District necessitated the use of the space for classroom purposes.

In August 1990, the City of Joliet, Illinois announced annexation of 500 acres, west of the DuPage River near Caton Farm Road to the Will-Kendall county line, served by the Plainfield Public Library District. The automatic disconnection of this area would cause other properties served by the Plainfield Library District to disconnect due to discontiguity to the Library District. Under Illinois law, a library district cannot serve a discontiguous area. The effected properties would have no option for library service without annexing to the City of Joliet because the area would not be contiguous to any other library service entity. The Board of Trustees of the Plainfield Library District challenged in court the disconnection of these areas from the District. In Will County Circuit Court Case No. 94 MC 8631, Judge William Penn ruled that the automatic disconnection was denied, creating an area that was double taxed for library services. No "sunset clause" or end date for the ruling was included. At the time of his decision, the handful of residents of the area supported blocking disconnection. Because the vast majority of the area at that time was undeveloped farmland, tax burden was minimal. As the area was developed, taxpayers discovered the double taxation. In subsequent years, the appellate court denied requests to appeal Judge Penn's decision because no substantive change had been made in the law governing the ruling.

Other annexations by the City of Joliet created areas which pay Plainfield Public Library District building bonds but are not eligible for service from the Library District. Every property that was in the Library District in 1990 when the bond referendum passed was committed to paying the bonds for the next 20 years, regardless of disconnection from the district. The 1990 bond issue will be paid off in 2010. Bonds cost $10-$20 annually for the average household. As these homes are no longer considered voters for the library district, any further bond issue by Plainfield Library would not affect them.

On August 28, 1990 a tornado struck the Plainfield/Crest Hill area killing 29 people and causing millions of dollars of damage. The tornado destroyed the Grand Prairie Elementary School, the location of the Library District's branch library. Over 10,500 items at the branch library suffered water damage. Volunteers boxed damaged books that were then shipped to Atlanta for drying and preservation. Over 600 boxes of books returned a month later to be stored until the District's building expansion was complete. The boxes were stored at a warehouse in Minooka until moved to a storage facility in Plainfield.

Following the tornado, the Library District increased its service hours to help the community deal with the loss of two school media centers and the branch library. The main facility was open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. A Children's Library was opened at 517 W. Lockport Street, the storefront housing the library's administrative offices, on November 5, 1990. Service hours for this storefront library were Monday- Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

On October 4, 1990, construction bids for the Library District's remodeling and expansion project were opened. Of the 12 bids received, Peck/Jones was declared the lowest most responsible bidder with a base bid of $1,998,000. Their bid for Alternate A was $125,000 and for Alternate C $3,500. Their total bid including Alternates A & C was $2,126,500. Most of the bids received were below the architect's projected total cost of $2,235,000. Final plans called for remodeling the original 1941 Georgian library and construction of a 24,000 sq. ft. addition, with 2/3 of the lower level to be unfinished.

The Plainfield Tool and Engineering building at 10 E. Main St. in Plainfield was leased to provide space to process materials damaged in the tornado. The Library staff spent the week of October 15 moving over 600 boxes of tornado damaged materials from the Minooka warehouse to the new warehouse facility. The Plainfield Public Library District Board designated October 20-21 as Community Volunteer weekend for the Library. Over 30 volunteers met to help examine and evaluate the books damaged by the tornado. The Library District led the way for rebuilding after the tornado in Plainfield by holding groundbreaking ceremonies for its expansion and remodeling project on October 22, 1990. On November 1, 1990 the Library District's two houses, 707 & 709 N. Illinois Street, were demolished.

On December 19, 1990 the Library District began circulating its collection online. Over the prior two years, library staff had entered the Library's collection into the Bur Oak Library System automation consortium database. Crowded conditions at the Library District's 517 W. Lockport Street storefront location led to a Board decision to move the administrative offices. Another storefront at 511 W. Lockport Street was leased for the offices. To accommodate an accelerated construction schedule, the library's Technical Services department also moved from the Library's main facility to this location on March 16, 1991.

In June 1991 the Board of Trustees purchased, for $10,000, the back 51 ft. of Mrs. Edna C. Gray's lot located at 708 N. Division Street. Mrs. Gray also consented to give the Board of Trustees a "right of first refusal" on the rest of her property. After nearly a year, the District was able to settle its August 28, 1990 tornado claim of $84,599.75 with Maryland Casualty Insurance Company. Over 700 books and other items were destroyed. Maryland Casualty compensated the District $20,463.75 for damaged and destroyed materials. M.F. Bank Restoration Company received $64,900 from Maryland Casualty for salvage of 10,500 books. The Library District received $196 from F.E.M.A (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Will County passed the "Will County Library Districts Contribution Ordinance" in 1991 allowing district libraries to assess an impact fee on local developers. This allowed the library to charge developers a fee per dwelling unit to be built in new subdivisions in the county. The fee offset the cost of serving new residents for the 12-18 months before newly developed property is assessed for property tax. The Ordinance paved the way for the Library's impact fee agreement with the Village of Plainfield.

The official dedication and grand opening of the District's newly expanded and remodeled Library was held on Sunday, December 8,1991 The total cost of the project including all furnishings was $2,850,000. Service hours for the new facility were Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m-8:00 p.m., Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The Library District introduced, at the time of its grand opening, an online card catalog system known as CL-CAT. The Library District offered public access computers for the first time. The number of staff increased from 3 full time and 10 part time employees to 9 full time and 15 part time employees to accommodate staffing the new building. The Library District hired its first professional reference librarian to head its expanded Reference Department.

The Friends of the Plainfield Public Library District organized and held its first meeting on January 8, 1992. The Friends Group held its first election of officers on April 21, 1992.

From July to October 1992, the Library District contested a petition drive against its .02% Building, Sites, and Maintenance Tax Levy. An objection was filed to the petitions and the Will County Electoral Board heard the matter. The Electoral Board affirmed that the petitions submitted were defective. The petitioners then filed in Circuit Court a motion to overturn the decision of the Electoral Board. The Court also ruled that the petitions were defective and that the question should not be submitted to referendum. With the additional funding provided by the .02% Building, Sites, and Maintenance Tax Levy secure, the Board was able to add 5 hours of service to the Library's hours of operation. The Library began opening at 9:00 a.m. instead of at 10:00 a.m. on November 2, 1992.

On November 25, 1992, the Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees adopted ordinances annexing over 1,500 acres in Wheatland Township. This solidified the Library District's northeastern boundary, following a Village of Bolingbrook's annexation of a 13-acre section of Plainfield Township.

The Library District annexed the Golden Meadow Development located at Rt. 59and 135th Street on February 17, 1993. New agreements with the Village of Plainfield mandated that any property newly annexed to the Village that did not have library service and was contiguous to the Plainfield Public Library District must also annex to the library district. An operating tax rate increase of 15 mils (0.15) for the Plainfield Public Library District appeared on the November 2, 1993 ballot. This was the first operating tax referendum increase ever requested by the library district. The voters defeated the Library's request by a 5 to 1 margin. With reserve funds depleted, the Board was forced to cut services hours, freeze the book budget, and eliminate positions, effective January 1, 1994. Library service hours were reduced by 20 hours a week: Monday-Wednesday, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Staff was reduced to 8 full-time and 3 part-time. To offset the frozen book budget, the Library began a book donation program and overdue fines increased from $.05 to $.10 per day. To augment library services despite the cuts, the Library began a volunteer program. Volunteers compiled an Obituary Index from back issues of The Enterprise. An adult book discussion program was initiated by volunteer leader, Kathleen Shaughnessy. The Plainfield Public Library District Board instituted a three-month "Trustee-in-Resident Night" program in March 1994. New growth in the library district enabled the Board to expand library service hours by 8 hours in July 1994. In late 1994, the Board advertised for interested citizens to serve on its Long Range Planning Task Force. To gather community input, the Library conducted a Community Survey using touch screen computer technology. Discussion of completion of the library's lower level to meet the needs of the growing community began.

In 1995, the Friends of the Library Group sponsored two successful fund raisers: the Library's first "Murder at the Library" play and "The Jane Stiker Art Show." Other events of the year included Governor Edgar signing House Bill 1850 (Expansion of the Rural Bond Bank) on August 3, 1995 at the Plainfield Library. Continued growth in the district allowed the Board to expand hours to: Monday & Wednesday from Noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

In 1995, the Board hired Richard Thompson to develop a 20-year building plan to meet the needs of the growing District. In December, the Board adopted the 20-year building plan proposed by Mr. Thompson. At that meeting, the Board also approved hiring Frye Gillan Molinaro Architects, Ltd. to finish the lower level. The plans called for Youth Services to be located on the lower level and Adult Services on the upper level. Other changes included relocation of the Local History Room, relocation of the interior entrance, reduction of the upper level lobby area, addition of an information desk, and relocation of the Adult Reference Desk.

In late 1995, the Board discussed the need for a Library impact fee ordinance with the Village of Plainfield. In March 1996, the Library District's attorney began drafting an impact fee ordinance for the Library District with the Village of Plainfield. In February 1997, the Plainfield Village Board approved an Intergovernmental Impact Fee Ordinance for the Plainfield Public Library District.

In 1996, the Library Board accepted a $1,000 bequest from the estate of Walter R. Peterson. The Friends Group's second annual "Murder at the Library" play was held. The Obituary Index became available to the public. The Plainfield Public Library's first Web page went online. A new long-range plan "Creating a Lifelong Need for Library Services" was adopted. The Library Board began discussing the need for a Library Foundation. CK&T Corporation of Plainfield was awarded the Library's Interior Completion Project, which began in October 1996.

January 18-19, 1997 was dedicated to moving the Youth Services Department to the newly completed lower level. On March 9, 1997 the Library hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Open House to show off the Interior Completion Project. Total cost of the Interior Completion Project was $560,000.

Events of 1997 included the Friends Group's third annual "Murder at the Library" play and a 45/55 matching funds technology grant from the State in the amount of $54,950. The grant helped to fund the Library's first Local Area Network and public access Internet. Dial-up access to the Library's online catalog was established.

In January 1997, at the request of the Library Board, nine community members formed a Library Foundation. For six months, the Foundation Board of Directors focused its attention on writing by-laws and applying for the federal tax-exempt status known as 501 (c) 3. The Plainfield Library Foundation held its first dinner auction fund raiser on February 7, 1998. Proceeds from that fund raiser allowed the Plainfield Library Foundation to donate $10,000 to the Library for purchase of six computers, a laser printer, and a scanner.

In 1998, the Friends Group sponsored the Library's fourth annual "Murder at the Library" play. The Library became an off-campus site for computer classes offered by Joliet Junior College's Institute for Economic Technology. The Library purchased two study carrels for the Adult Quiet Room with Walter R. Peterson's bequest and held a dedication ceremony for friends and family of Mr. Peterson.

July 1, 1998 marked the 10th anniversary of the Library District. On September 1, 1998, the Library increased its service hours to 64: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. On September 26, the community was invited to celebrate the Library's 10th anniversary by enjoying family activities that included a petting zoo, storytellers, and balloon sculpting.

The fifth annual Library Murder Play was held in March 1999. This was the first play penned by Library Trustee Dave Shepherd.

In April 1999, the Library Board began negotiations to purchase the property at 706 N. Division Street. The Village of Plainfield also attempted to purchase the property. The resulting conflict ended in February 2000 when the Village and Library reached a negotiated settlement. The Library, upon payment of $50,000 to the Village, would have the right to purchase the 706 N. Division St. property in August 2010 for the set price of $175,000. In the meantime, the Village demolished the house and converted the property into a parking lot to accommodate area businesses. The Plainfield Library Foundation held its third annual dinner auction in February 2000. The Foundation also hosted the Library's sixth annual "Murder at the Library" play. This play was the second to be written by Dave Shepherd.

In 2000, officials Joliet and Plainfield Libraries met and discussed solutions to the double taxation situation that had been created by the 1994 court ruling. Two avenues were identified for solving the problem: a legislative solution (change the law to change the ruling) or a judicial solution (find another pertinent statute to apply to the problem). The libraries pursued a legislative solution, identifying a similar problem in fire protection district law and the legislative solution used. Modeling on the Fire district statute, the libraries began to draft legislation that would allow a five-year buy-down of the double tax areas that would not overly burden each library, disrupting their ability to serve their taxpayers.

On May 2nd, Plainfield Public Library District Administrative Librarian Barbara Pitney announced her retirement. The Library Board named Sharon Smith, former director of the Coal City Public Library District, Interim Administrator effective June 17, 2000. The Board of Trustees hired Julie M. Milavec as the new Administrative Librarian. Ms. Milavec began her work with the Plainfield Public Library District on November 1, 2000.

The Plainfield Public Library Foundation sponsored its fourth auction, an Art Auction, in February 2001. More than $5,000 was raised for technology in the library. The seventh annual Murder Mystery Play was held in March 2001. The third play written by former Board President Dave Shepherd, this event raised more than $5,500 for the Foundation. The Foundation purchased a new telephone system with voicemail for the library in spring 2001. Long-time area resident Larry King donated a portion of the proceeds of the November 2001 Silent Auction of his private art collection to the Library Foundation.

Summer Reading Club registrations for 2001 reached an all-time high of over 1,100. The incredible growth in program participation was borne out by the Census 2000 figures for the Library District, with official census population certified at 41, 843. New card registrations for 2001 averaged over 300 a month. The Board began a new long-range planning process in 2001, including a direct mail survey, focusing on the explosive growth in the area and how best to serve the rapidly changing community. The Library District newsletter got a new look and a new name "@ Your Library," tying into the American Library Association's "@ Your Library" marketing program.

The City of Joliet and Plainfield Public Library District continued to work toward an acceptable legislative solution to the double taxation issue. In June 2001, legislative staff of local State Senator Ed Petka studied the problem and found an existing law that they believed held a solution to the double taxation issue. In July 2001, the State's Attorney's office filed suit against the Plainfield Public Library District and City of Joliet (as the governing body of the Joliet Library). The suit asked a judge to interpret the existing law in a way that would solve the double taxation issues. This case would set a statewide precedent in library district law. Working together, the State's Attorney, Will County Clerk, City of Joliet, Plainfield Public Library District reached a settlement of the double taxation issue in March 2002. Residents of the formerly fully double taxed areas pay the higher tax rate of the two libraries and are entitled to full use of both facilities and their services. Each Library receives a portion of the taxes collected. Taxpayers who reside in areas identified as Tax Code 612 on their tax bill are the only affected residents.

Sharon Smith, former director of the Coal City Public Library District, was again named Interim Administrative Librarian in November 2001, for Administrative Librarian Julie M. Milavec's maternity leave. Ms. Milavec returned March 1, 2002.

In 2001, the Plainfield Public Library District created its first Young Adult and Outreach Services department, promoting Ceil Carey to head outreach efforts. The department focused on programs for Young Adults and off-site programs at local schools.

Beginning in late 2001, the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees began the process of updating the library's long range plan. A direct mail survey of residents was used to gather information on services and satisfaction. The new long range plan "Visioning 2002-2005" was adopted in July 2002. As outlined in the plan, a Facilities Committee of Board and staff was appointed to examine space needs of the Library District.

In 2002, graphic novels were added to the library's collection for the first time. The Plainfield Library Foundation sponsored the eighth annual Murder Mystery Play. Former Board President Dave Shepherd wrote, directed and starred in the performance. The Foundation's first Second City fund raiser was held in November. In September, the Library opened on Sundays for the first time in its history, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the Sunday following Labor Day to the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend. In December, new carpeting was installed in the entire library. The cost of the project was $102,509, paid for by impact fees from area developers.

In October 2002, the Plainfield Public Library District exercised the right of first refusal for Mrs. Edna Gray's property at 708 N. Division Street. The property was purchased for $118,000. The existing home on the property was razed. Plans to expand the existing library will not be feasible until the Library acquires the parking lot at 706 N. Division Street in 2010.

In 2003, the Library revamped its web site. In January, the Library's new online catalog debuted. The ninth annual Murder Mystery Play was presented by the Plainfield Library Foundation. The Foundation donated $15,000 to purchase new PCs needed to access the updated library online catalog. Library Administrator Julie M. Milavec participated in "Synergy: the Illinois Library Leadership Initiative" presented by the Illinois State Library. The Plainfield Township Disabilities Committee donated $960 to purchase a new TTY machine and books for and about individuals with disabilities. When redistricting moved House Republican Leader Tom Cross to Plainfield, the Library presented him with a library card. Outreach and Young Adult Services continued to expand, adding an annual poetry slam, monthly coffeehouse, and anime club. At the recommendation of the Facilities Committee, automatic openers were added to the Library's front doors. The Library hosted the Plainfield Kiwanis Club's Farmer's Market on Saturdays in the library parking lot. Remote access to many of the Library's online databases and regular computer classes for the public were added in 2003. The Plainfield Public Library District received a grant of $8,724 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to upgrade lighting fixtures in the library to high-efficiency bulbs and ballasts.

The Facilities Committee, after close study of the space utilization in the library and its space needs, made two recommendation to the Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees: 1) to pursue a library branch and community center concept proposed by the Plainfield Park District, and 2) to remodel portions of the existing library to maximize the use of space within the existing building. Library building consultant Fred Schlipf was hired to facilitate the development of a library branch building plan. Frye Gillan Molinaro architects drew up the plans for remodeling the existing building.

In January 2004, the branch building plan was approved by the Plainfield Public Library District Board of Trustees. Discussions with the Plainfield Park District on the library branch and community center continued. In March, the Board of Trustees voted to proceed with the remodeling plans proposed by Frye Gillan Molinaro and the Facilities Committee. The tenth and final Murder Mystery Play was staged the same month. National Library Week events in April included the second Second City fund raiser by the Plainfield Public Library Foundation. During that week, self-checkout was introduced at the Library. The Foundation donated $9,500 to purchase of one of the three self-check units. Virtual reference service, Librarian Live!, also began. Outreach services at the Library and Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 partnered to present a community wide reading program "Read Across Plainfield."

On August 27, 2004, the Library's interior remodeling project. The project created a new circulation desk, a Local Area Network closet, expansion of the Reference Office to include storage closets, an Outreach and Young Adult Services Office, a Young Adult seating area, new audiovisual areas in Youth and Adult sections, new seating for the Adult Quiet Room and Bay Area, a circulation workroom, a new book return, and self-service holds pick-up area. As the project was wrapping up, November 17, 2004 the Plainfield Public Library District's lower level flooded, causing damage to offices, workrooms, storage areas, and meeting rooms. Approximately half of the lower level of the library was affected. A broken back flow valve on the sprinkler system caused the flooding, beginning in the maintenance area of the library's lower level. The Library was closed to the public for several days during the clean up. However, because the flooding did not reach the book stack area, loss was minimal.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Arter, Edward, Town Clerk Special Election Attestation, 2/10/1925
2. ^ Arter
3. ^ Board of Trustees of the Nimmons Library, Board Meeting Notes ms May 7, 1926
4. ^ Board of Trustees Oct.3,1925
5. ^ Board of Trustees, April 9,1940
6. ^ Board of Trustees, June 11, 1941
7. ^ Board of Trustees, May 12, 1948
8. ^ Board of Trustees, March 14, 1951
9. ^ Board of Trustees, March 31, 1954
10. ^ Board of Trustees, Sept. 17, 1954
11. ^ Board of Trustees, Oct. 13, 1954

Board of Trustees, Nimmons Library By-Laws of the Board of Trustees of the Nimmons Library' 'June 15, 1925
Pitney, Barbara History of the Plainfield Public Library Plainfield Public Library, Local History Files.
Beaird, Tina Black Sky: Plainfield Tornado August 23, 1990 Illinois, 2005
Collected newspaper clippings Plainfield Enterprise[2]
Plainfield Historical Society A History of Plainfield Then and Now Plainfield, IL 1977

[edit] External links

Plainfield Public Library District web site
Illinois State Library
Village of Plainfield website
Illinois State Historical Society