In November of 1989, the citizens of the then–small Huntley and surrounding areas passed a referendum to form a library district – the Huntley Area Public Library District. Since our doors first opened, we have been committed to being a place of learning, creativity, connection, and opportunity. And now, we are honored to celebrate 35 years of serving this incredible community.
Over the years, we’ve accomplished so much together, including moving from our first location at the corner of Algonquin Road and Church Street to where we stand now, to a successful referendum in 2019 that allowed us to expand and better serve our growing population, opening our new building in 2022.
One thing for certain, through changes and challenging times of new buildings, a booming population, and a worldwide pandemic, our commitment to the community has never wavered, and we are so thankful to have grown alongside this vibrant community and are eager to continue providing excellent service as we evolve and flourish together.
To our valued patrons, new or old, thank you for being a part of our story. We look forward to many more years of success and growth with all of you
– Frank Novak, Director
Huntley Area Public Library
Timeline
1880 Huntley Library and Literary Association organized. Annual dues $1.
1916-1926 Lending Library formed. Records of patrons and their signatures available at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum. Books turned over to HHS in 1926.
1965 Bookmobile service was funded by State of Illinois, a monthly service on the square which lasted about 2 years.
1971 “Village Book Shelf” opened in Huntley High School, and was staffed by volunteers one evening a week, for about 2 years.
February 7, 1984 Huntley Community Library opens from 4-6pm on Tuesdays and 7-9pm on Thursdays. Located in the District 158 Media Center, located on 11302 Lincoln Street. Shirley Williams, Librarian, began a drive to form a Community Library Fund.
April 30, 1984 Friends of the Library meet.
February 18, 1988 Committee meeting held to create the Huntley Area Public Library District.
March 3, 1988 Over 40 people attended information meeting regarding the proposed Public Library.
November, 1988 Huntley Middle School and High School students submit logo designs, and the winner is chosen. Co-winners were chosen: Jeremy Olson and Joanna Zawanda.
April 16, 1989 Library Fund Committee holds auction at Seven Acres in Union of donated items. More than $10,000 was raised.
November 7, 1989 Referendum to establish Library District for Huntley. Vote: Yes 479 No 248
January, 28, 1990 Library Board established: Frances Sheets, Hazel Kloempken, Richard Drendel, Jan Crabill, Karen Kohley, Chuck Ruth and Len Borhart. First meeting: March 7, 1990
February 13, 1990 Friends of the Library meet and appoint officers: President, Ann Essig; Treasurer, Prudy Cole; Secretary, Anne Borhart. Friends Members: Len Borhart, Jan Crabill, Richard Drendel, Hazel Kloempken, Karen Kohley, Charles Ruth and Fran Sheets.
May 12, 1990 Board hires library consultant to assist with location site, obtaining grants and establishing standards for hiring staff.
September 16, 1990 Board purchases Huntley Medical Building for $175,000 (on the corner of Algonquin Road and Church Street)
January 3, 1991 Huntley Library to receive Library Services and Construction Act grant of $25,000 to help establish library services.
January 11, 1991 Board begins advertising for a full time librarian for $25,000/ year.
February 21, 1991 Huntley library reaches a free lending agreement with the Crystal Lake Library for Huntley library district residents, effective after a Huntley librarian is hired.
April 16, 1991 Full time librarian / Library Director, Jane Thompson, is hired for $28,000/yr.
October, 1991 Remodeling plans approved for Algonquin Road / Church Street building.
February 25, 1992 Library opens for residents.
November 22, 1995 Library hires expansion consultant.
April 24, 1995 Library board considers purchasing land and pursuing a referendum to construct a new building.
May 5, 1995 Board seeks impact fee hike from $100 to $250.
June 29, 1995 Library board hires financial advisor to help with future expansion.
November 14, 1996 Library board purchases 7 acres on Ruth Road for $140,000 from Ackmann Family.
January 29, 1997 Library committee to discuss referendum plans for building.
April 2, 1997 Library Building Referendum passes for $2.4 million.
June 20, 1997 Sun City / Village of Huntley approve over 55 community housing along Rt. 47.
September 25, 1997 Library seeks annexation of Ruth Road Property into Village limits.
October 15, 1997 Sketches of new library unveiled.
March 12, 1998 Library to start historical society / catalog village history.
March 17, 1998 Librarian, Jane Thompson, resigns after 7 years. Last day April 15.
April 1, 1998 Library hires interim librarian, Mary Jane Kepner through NSLS, and Lamp Inc. as construction manager for library.
June 18, 1998 Library receives $250,000 Live and Learn grant for construction.
July 9, 1998 Governor George Ryan joined in ground-breaking for new library.
October 15, 1998 Library hires Virginia Maravilla as Library Director beginning November 9.
July 27, 1999 New Huntley Library opens on Ruth Road.
August 9, 1999 Family Fun Day celebrates opening of new library.
December 9, 1999 Library sees big increase in circulation – 195% since opening in July.
June 15, 2000 Old library sold at auction for $238,000.
November, 2001 Library Local History Department established, Mary Beth Manning/Nancy Bacheller
May 21, 2002 Library board purchases 4.5 acres to the north and east for future expansion.
November 29, 2002 Library pressed for space as circulation increases by 219% in first fiscal year.
December 12, 2002 Library board discusses 2004 referendum for 30,000 square foot addition.
April 22, 2003 Library board plans for expansion – circulation up to 330,100 in 2002 from 31,700 in 1998.
November 16, 2003 Burnidge Cassell and Assoc. hired to design addition.
June 30, 2004 Proposed addition unveiled to public.
August 1, 2004 Public input sought before placing referendum question on ballot.
August 24, 2004 Library board waits to put referendum on ballot after hearing residents.
October 1, 2004 Library extends hours of operation.
December 21, 2004 Library board approves expansion plans.
January 24, 2005 Library board approves requesting referendum for 20 cent tax rate increase to build and operate library addition. ($14.9 million)
April 6, 2005 Voters deny tax increase – referendum fails.
April 8, 2005 Library board examines strategies to maintain service to patrons.
June 13, 2005 Library board works to keep up with growth and avoid program cuts.
February 17, 2006 Library to get new look with remodel and consolidation plan.
March 2, 2006 Library board examines possible mobile unit.
April 27, 2006 Library board surveys residents to understand wants / needs.
July 27, 2006 Library board decides not to seek referendum in November 2006.
September 15, 2006 Library remodels to accommodate more materials; creates children’s room from previous program room.
November, 2007 Library mails surveys to 16,700 community members.
March, 2008 Results from the survey show residents favor expansion of the library.
November, 2008 A referendum for $10 million dollars to expand the library failed by a 60/40 margin, largely due to the economic conditions at the time.
May, 2009 Local businesses support the library through a makeover of the minivan, donating body work and a paintjob (Huntley Collision Center), vinyl lettering on the van (Fraser Auto Art), and oil changes and routine inspections (Coyote Auto Center). Their logos appear on the back of the van.
October 2, 2009 The library plans an evening open house celebration in recognition of our 20th anniversary, complete with entertainment, catered refreshments, and a ceremony. The following week includes activities and events for children and families.
November 30, 2009 Long-time Library Director, Virginia Maravilla, retires.
December 1, 2009 Library Director, Patrick McDonald, begins at the library.
January 11, 2010 Three temporary mobile units are installed on the east side of the library, and a walkway is added to the building for access to the mobile units.
February 21st – 28th 2010, The Children’s Room is closed to relocate materials to the temporary annex. Other materials in the library are being relocated to make more space for additional items, more computers, and a Young Adult Area.
March 10, 2010 The Library holds a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome children and families into the new Children’s Area.
May, 1, 2010 Library2Go Service is introduced to residents who cannot get to the library due to a disabling condition or lack of transportation.
May 12, 2010 The Library is awarded a Live & Learn Grant to install power assist doors and upgraded bathroom facilities.
February, 2011 HelpNow, a free online tutoring service, and Tumblebook Library, eBooks for kids, is added to the list of services offered by the library.
March, 2011 The Library adds eReaders to the collection for patron check-out.
May 30, 2011 The Library closed for a week to install new DVD shelving purchased from closing Borders Bookstores at a fraction of the cost of new shelving.
November 14, 2011 eBook purchases expand to accommodate the growing number of eReader users in the community.
January 1, 2012 Freegal, a free online music download service, and JobNow, a free online resource center for job seekers, is added as new services to patrons.
April, 2012 A Live & Learn Grant is awarded to the library for installation of new carpeting in most of the public areas.
November, 2012 Mango Languages and Zinio digital magazines collection is added as a new service to patrons.
December, 2012 The library introduces a mobile app as a new service to patrons.
August, 2013 The library installs new carpeting in the main public areas, partially funded by the Live & Learn grant received in April 2012.
December 4, 2013 Director Patrick McDonald leaves the library.
January 2014 Bitter temperatures and a power outage burst pipes in the library, causing minor damage to materials, but displacing items and staff while work is performed. The library is closed for several days.
April 21, 2014 Director Frank Novak begins at the library.
June – Aug 2014 The library has its first collaborative Summer Reading Program with the Village, Park District, Fire Department and Police Department.
November 7, 2014 The Library holds its 25th Anniversary Celebration. About 100 people attended a catered event at the library to commemorate the past, present and future of the library. Speeches were given by the first board president Chuck Ruth, current board member Rusty Ayers, and Director Frank Novak.
December 5, 2014 The Library and Village of Huntley hold the first joint Very Merry Huntley event, greeting nearly 1,400 guests at the library in 3 hours. (about triple from the year before)
April 2019 Referendum approved for library expansion; 66% of voters in favor
February 19, 2020 Groundbreaking for new addition and remodeling of existing library
