History and Administration

Shortly prior to 1920 a group of young women in Kirkland organized the "Lorene Club" for the purpose of founding and maintaining a library and promoting community welfare. They canvassed the community house-to-house to ask citizens to contribute books.

The group rented two rooms above the grocery store on the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. For several years, members volunteered to serve as librarians. The group used various means of raising funds. One that was most profitable and long lasting was the cookbook members put together around six decades ago. In 1984 Library supporters compiled another cookbook.

In 1925 the Library moved to the corner of Sixth and Main Streets. The Library became tax-supported in 1934. Twenty years later it was moved to the Town Hall, in a large upstairs room over the fire station and jail. In 1971 the Kirkland Public Library joined the Northern Illinois Library System, now merged into the Prairie Area Library System (PALS).

In 1975 the Kirkland Public Library moved into the former State Bank of Kirkland building, owned by the Village of Kirkland. The Funderburg Foundation and the State Bank of Kirkland provided funds for its renovation. This historic and dignified structure retains the charm of the old bank while responding to the needs of library users of another era. A major project in September 2007 restored the painted facade to its original gray limestone appearance.

The Friends of the Library group was organized in 1984 to promote interest in and support for the Kirkland Public Library. Today the Library serves a community of around 1500 population within the limits of the Village, and makes its services available to non-residents for an appropriate annual fee. The Library collection of some 12,000 listings sees an annual circulation of about 6500 items. A seven-member Board of Trustees elected by Village voters oversees library operations and manages an annual budget of around $42,000.00