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General InformationHours | Closing dates | Drop off locations and hours | Employment | Loan periods | Library card information | Directions | Parking | Vision, Key Beliefs, and Goals | History | Virtual tour
Closing Dates
Drop Off Locations and Hours
EmploymentLoan PeriodsFollowing are loan periods and circulation information for materials from Des Plaines Public Library.
With few exceptions, materials may be borrowed for a longer period if requested at the time of checkout. All materials are renewable once unless they are reserved by another person. Materials may be renewed by telephone or through the library Web site by accessing the catalog and clicking on "My Account". Patrons may request a vacation loan period for any item except new books, DVDs, or items on reserve for other patrons. The vacation loan period may be no longer than double the original loan period plus seven days. Library Card InformationResidents of incorporated Des Plaines may be issued a free library card. This card is good for a period of 3 years. To receive a card, you must present photo identification and proof of legal residence in the City of Des Plaines. A driver's license, utility bill, or voter's registration card are examples. Registration can only be done at the library or mobile library. Patrons through 8th grade must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian who must show proof of residence and identity and sign the application form. Non-residents Individuals and families living in an area that is not taxed for public library service may purchase a library card and use it at any participating public library. The non-resident fee at the Des Plaines Public Library is $274.00 for one year. This card will be honored at all participating libraries for one year. Non-residents must purchase their cards at the public library that is within their high school district. Rosemont residents who live north of Devon Avenue must purchase their cards at the Des Plaines Public Library. Rosemont residents pay 25% or $68.50 for a non-resident card for the entire family for one year. (The Village of Rosemont pays the rest of the fee directly to the Des Plaines Public Library.) Other Rosemont residents who live south of Devon Avenue should contact the Schiller Park Library for card information and costs. Please call 847-678-0433. Note: Residents of most Illinois communities can use their local library cards at Des Plaines, with very few exceptions or restrictions. Call the library at 847-827-5551 to check your eligibility. A company library card is available to all businesses located within incorporated Des Plaines. It is good only at the Des Plaines Public Library for a period of one year. more information | Company Card form If you have any questions about the privileges granted with a company library card, please call the registration desk at 847-376-2787. DirectionsThe library is located at 1501 Ellinwood Street in downtown Des Plaines. Ellinwood Street is just south of and runs parallel to the Metra Railroad tracks. The library is located between Lee/Mannheim on the west and Pearson on the east and between Miner/Northwest Highway on the north and Prairie Avenue on the south. From Northeast:Exit I-94 (Edens) at Dempster Street west. West on Dempster to River Road. Turn left (south). Take River Road south to Prairie Avenue. Turn right (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center. From North:Exit I-294 south at Golf Road. This exit actually lets you off at East River Road – turn left (south) on East River Road, then right (west) on Golf Road. Golf Road west to River Road. Turn left (south). Take River Road south to Prairie Avenue. Turn right (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center. From Chicago:Exit I-90 (Northwest Tollway) west to Lee Street. Turn right off the ramp. Veer right at the first light. Continue straight on Lee Street. At the next light turn left to stay on Lee Street. Turn right on Prairie Avenue. Turn left into the Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center. From South:Exit I-294 north at Touhy Avenue west. Take Touhy Avenue to River Road north. North on River Road to Prairie Avenue. Turn left (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center. From East:Take Dempster west to River Road. Turn left (south). From West:Take Northwest Highway (Rt. 14) (which turns into Miner Street)
to River Road. ParkingThere is a municipal parking garage located directly south of the library building. Enter parking garage from Ellinwood just west of the library or from Prairie Avenue, which is just south of the library. To get into the library from the garage, take the enclosed walkway on the north side of the first floor of the garage. HistoryThe Des Plaines Public Library first opened its doors at Miner and Graceland Streets on October 5, 1907. The building was funded by a $5,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. After 40 days, it held 741 books and served 410 card holders. In 1936, the City Council proposed a new City Hall on that site, with a west wing to house the library. After a brief stay in temporary quarters at Lee and Ellinwood Streets, the library re-opened in the west wing of the new City Hall in 1937. A referendum was passed in 1957 that provided a new library building at Graceland and Thacker. Many residents still remember the Boy Scouts using shopping carts to move books from the old building to the new one. The new library opened its doors in 1958. In 1969, bookmobile service began and a small addition was built, which included the bookmobile garage and additional office space. An addition completed in 1974 expanded the building to nearly 40,000 square feet. On April 27, 1998, the City Council approved a downtown redevelopment project which included a new 80,000 square-foot library as its centerpiece. The new building is located at 1501 Ellinwood, between Pearson and Lee Streets. The doors of the new library opened on August 14, 2000. On October 7, 2007, the Des Plaines Public Library celebrated 100 wonderful years of serving the community. The centennial milestone was marked with a year's worth of events and programming which commemorated the library's past while also looking ahead to the future. Capping off the centennial was an exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime carnival, held in Library Plaza. Hundreds of library fans packed the Plaza to enjoy live entertainment, games, old-time refreshments and a ride on a spectacular carousel. |
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