Winfield Public Library

The Winfield Public Library History

The contemporary building on the northeast corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Winfield Road is the third home of the Winfield Public Library.

In the spring of 1964, the Winfield Library Association was formed. Its goal was to establish a village library.

Plaque reading: In appreciation, Winfield Library Association. The Winfield Library Association was responsible for the beginning of the Winfield Public Library in 1964. Thank you for your years of service and dedication to the library.

In February 1965, the association was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation and continued to work hard on fund raising. It began 1966 with $3000 in its treasury. After attempts to establish a library without tax support, the Library officers began making referendum plans. On November 16, 1968, village residents approved a referendum to establish a public library and elect seven directors. The referendum passed with 400 "yes" votes to 211 "no" votes. The Winfield Library Association continued as a friends of the library group. The Library joined the DuPage Library System and in September 1969, leased the upper floor of the building at 0S169 Church Street. It hired Barbara Mate and Nan Montgomerie as the first librarians. On January 24, 1970, the Winfield Public Library officially opened its doors.

In the summer of 1972 the library moved into two temporary buildings at 0S164 Winfield Road, rented from Winfield School District 34. In 1978 the Library Association gave the Board of Directors $35,000 to be used for the purchase of three lots on the northeast corner of Sunnyside and Winfield Roads as a future home of the library. Plans were drawn and approved for the 10,000 square foot brick building.

Voters passed a referendum November 17, 1979 to purchase $585,000 of bonds to fund the new library building. The bi-level building was completed and opened June 29, 1981. The main level housed both the adult and children's areas. The lower level provided community meeting rooms and remained unfinished until 1986. A remodeling project was completed in 1986 and the downstairs was expanded to house the adult reference and non-fiction collections.

The library is staffed by four full-time and eight part time employees, and it is governed by an elected seven member board of trustees.

When the library celebrated our 50th anniversary, we put together a presentation about our first 50 years. Click here to enjoy the 50th anniversary presentation by longtime library supporters Ida Lee and Marcia McAdams and library Director Matthew Suddarth. Click here to view the 50th anniversary slide show. Thank you to the Winfield Library Friends for hosting this event.

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