About the Library

ABOUT THE LIBRARY

Mission Statement

The Northlake Public Library Board of Trustees recognizes the responsibility of the Library to render the use of the Library to be of the greatest benefit to the greatest number in the community. This will require broad knowledge of the community and determination to be responsive to all its segments. We recognize the purpose of the Library to provide access to all information and to make use of the information that is of relevance and interest to the community we serve.

Administration

Barbara Salo, President
Karen M. Salutric, Vice President
Gerry Blaskey, Treasurer
Linda Rossi, Secretary
Kathy O'Cull
Tom Salutric
Sonya Teets
Jan Schmudde, Library Director

Annual Report

	1997- 1998	1999-2000	2000-2001	2001-2002
Total Circulation	123,333	116,529	115,996	132,682
Adult Circulation	57,076	56,593	60,463	70,494
Youth Circulation	66,257	59,936	55,533	62,188
Interlibrary Loans - Sent	3114	2581	3429	6,952
Interlibrary Loans - Received	2622	2762	3099	4,629
Total Books in Collection	59,804	66,656	69,101	73,200
Books in Adult Collection	33,466	37,436	38,653	40,748
Books in Youth Collection	26,338	29,220	30,448	32,452
Videos in Collection	1806	2080	2237	2,628
CD's in Collection	966	1094	1209	1,325
Cassettes (incl. books-on-tape)	2677	2849	2572
Periodicals/Magazines	202	238	238	216
Newspapers	9	9	9	9
Program Attendance - Youth	4370	2641	6561	4,945
Program Attendance - Adult	38	39	49
Reference Questions Asked - Adult	14,248	9178	7384	8606
Reference Questions Asked - Youth	5,642	10,686	12,740	10036

Library building size: 19,666 square feet
Population residing in library district: 26,653
Total hours open for public service per week: 68
Total annual attendance in library (fiscal year 2001-2002): 83,987
Number of IBM compatible microcomputers for public use: 23

History of the Library

1957		City of Northlake establishes a library in a storefront at 149 E. North Avenue. The Library has a few shelves of books (3000 on loan from the State of Illinois and others donated by the readers themselves). The Library later moves to a house located at 402 N. Wolf Road.

1964		City of Northlake opens a new building for the Library, at its current location at 231 N. Wolf Road. It was dedicated October 25th.

1974		The Library separates from the City itself and becomes the Northlake Public Library District..

1977		As a Library District, it was possible to now include part of unicorporated Leyden Township

1985		All of Stone Park and the remaining unincorporated areas of Leyden Township were included in the library's district.

1990		Voters approved a referendum for a building bond which provided for the newer building existing today.

1991		In November, the Library moves into temporary quarters at the Apostle's Lutheran Church until construction is completed

1993		New library building is completed and opened in June.

1997		In November, voters approved a referendum to increase the operating budget for the library. Prior to this, the larger facility was operated on the same budget as the much smaller library, resulting in decreased hours and services.

1998		Improvements made possible by the passage of the Operating Rate Referendum begin. On January 5th, the Library increased its service hours from 55 to 64 hours per week. Sunday hours begin in September, for the school year. Additional staff were hired, and upgrades required for Internet access implemented.