The First Wilmette Library, 120 Years Ago

This month marks the 120th anniversary of the first library building in Wilmette! The first library building opened on July 6, 1901, and was located on the corner of Wilmette and Central Avenues. 

First library association started in Wilmette in December 1880. Several associations organized fee-based small libraries for the next 20 years, until a push for a free public library came in 1900. In that year, taxpayers approved a referendum to establish a free public library by a vote of 62 to 52. A $2 million tax issue was authorized. In April 1901, the first six Wilmette Library Directors were elected. The library was moved to rented space in the rear of Wilmette Lumber Company on Central Ave. The Elmwood Library Association, which was originally established in 1892, loaned 1,000 of its books to the new library. 

The first library building in Wilmette opened on July 6, 1901. This wooden frame building would house 1,347 books. During the first year of its operation, the library registered more than 500 borrowers and circulated more than 9,000 volumes. This building would be used as the library until 1905, when the new "Carnegie" library building was completed and opened to the public. 

Interested in reading more about the history of the Wilmette Public Library? View a timeline of library history here, or visit our Local History page to see more historical photographs and documents! 

Written by EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy and Local History Librarian