In the Beginning...

For over one hundred years the Kankakee Public Library has been meeting the information needs of the residents of the city of Kankakee. In March 1896, the first Kankakee Public Library opened in the Arcade Building, located at the northwest corner of Schuyler and Merchant Street. By the fall of 1897, a drive was underway to build a new building to house the Library’s growing collection of 2,200 books.  The building, constructed on the corner of Indiana Avenue and Station Street, opened in January of 1899 and remained the Library’s home for nearly 105 years.

Kankakee Public Library Establishment Chronology

Dec. 1856      Fourteen interested citizens met to organize a public library. No further meetings of this organization were reported.

Nov. 1873      At the home of Mrs. George Huling, the first meeting of the Ladies Association was recorded.  The group was incorporated in 1876.

Oct. 1895       Interested citizens began to discuss the possibility of establishing a city library.  The Kankakee Men’s University Club took the initiative in gathering public support.

Nov. 1895      The city voted favorably after a petition with 200 signatures was presented to the city council asking that the council levy the tax necessary to establish a public library.

Mar.  1896     The first Kankakee Public Library opened in the Arcade Building.  Books, prints, etchings, and $1,000 worth of furnishings had been donated by  friends of the library.  The library’s collection included 600 volumes.  Dr. Andrew Cutler donated 50 volumes, including his complete Encyclopedia Britannica. 

Apr. 1896       After two weeks, over 325 people had applied for library cards.  In  order to obtain a card, patrons had to have a “responsible person” sign for them, and agree to follow the rules and regulations of the library.

The board of directors continued to order new books for the library to meet the ever increasing demands of its patrons.   By the end of the month, the number of volumes in the collection stood at 1400.  Library cards had been issued to 600 patrons.

Oct. 1896       In an address marking the library’s first anniversary, Dr, Cutler noted the popularity of the library, but expressed concern that 63% of the books circulating were fiction.

Mar. 1897      The collection had grown to 1824 volumes.  Average daily attendance had reached 250.

Jun. 1897        Leading citizens and friends of the library embarked on a drive to build a library building.  Mrs. F. Swannel donated a lot on South Dearborn, but it was deemed too small.  Dedicated citizens set about the task of gathering signatures and public support.

The library collection had grown to 2,200 books, the large majority of which had been donated.  Over 1,200 people had library cards.

Sept. 1897      The City Council approved a tax levy of $4971 for the purpose of erecting a library building.  Mrs. George Huling donated the present site.

The Ladies Library Association donated 3,000 volumes and $5,000.  The $5,000 was a bequest from Mr. George Huling given with the conditions that (1)three ladies should always serve on the board of directors and (2) a hall be named for Mr. Huling.

Aug. 1898      The Indiana Avenue building cornerstone was laid with great fanfare.  A parade, including local dignitaries and interested citizens, marched from the Arcade Building down Station Street to the library.

Jan. 1899        The Indiana Avenue library building was dedicated.  The address was given by Dr. Cutler followed by a musical program in Huling Hall.

The Indiana Avenue library was constructed at a cost of $12,000 but the estimated worth was $20,000.

1899-1900       Mrs. Ellis, the new librarian received $40 per month.  The janitor received $30 per month.

The Original Board

(at the time of the Indiana Ave. building dedication)

Andrew S. Cutler - President: Dentist, bookstore owner, Civil War veteran, licensed Baptist preacher, presented first public library petition.

Alexis L. Granger: Lawyer in firm Granger & Granger, Officer of The Illinois Eastern Hospital for the Insane, attorney for First National Bank and Legris Brothers’ Bank.

Albert Schneider: Businessman in fire insurance, Secretary of Kankakee Building and Loan, Director of Eastern Illinois Trust & Savings Bank.

Helen Huling: Donator of real estate for library building.  Library third floor auditorium originally named Huling Hall for her husband, George, the former assistant mayor.

Emory Cobb: Capitalist, Kankakee land investor, Western Union Chicago Office Manager, Trustee of the University of Illinois, initiated building projects in Kankakee, constructor of electric street cars in Kankakee.

Ida W. Spencer: Wife of prominent Kankakee physician, daughter of  Kankakee pioneer and Judge C.C. Wilcox.

Henry A. Magruder: Member of Board of Directors City National Bank of Kankakee.

Alice R. Hamlin: Wife of Kankakee Postmaster, daughter of Momence Postmaster.

Daniel H. Paddock: Former State’s Attorney.

The Big Move

For more than ten years, the Kankakee Public Library struggled to find a path out of their cramped 13,000 square foot 100 year old limestone home.  Projects came and went, including ideas to expand the existing facility, and others to build a completely new library.  All the projects proved logistically impossible or cost prohibitive.  In 2002, a large corporation left the Executive Centre, a seven story office building in downtown Kankakee, leaving it nearly half empty.  The city was faced with a potential white elephant in the center of the community.  Late in that year, city leaders hatched the idea of moving the Kankakee Public Library into the first three floors of the half vacant office building, while leaving the top four floors available for private office rental.  Such a scheme came with a host of problems.  First off, no one had heard of such a dual use public/ private facility before.  Could a public library co-exist with an office building?  Architect Jack Lakey developed a plan that would create two separate facilities under one roof, complete with separate entrances, elevators, stairways, and even mailing addresses.  The plan would maximize the space without interfering with the missions of either enterprise.  A deal was also worked out to allow Heritage Development Corporation to retain ownership of the entire building, thus continuing to pay property taxes, while the Library would lease the three floors it would occupy.  After 20 years, the City of Kankakee would own the entire building to do with as they see fit, thus creating a “rent to own” arrangement.  In January 2003, the Kankakee City Council approved a $4.5 million bond for the innovative plan.  Soon after, demolition began on the closed restaurant on the first floor and the office space on the second and third floors.  Enormous steel beams were installed to reinforce the floors up to Library standards.  A million factors could have gone wrong to permanently derail the risky project.  Miraculously, none came to pass.   On January 5, 2004, a scant ten months after renovation began and 105 years to the day after the opening of the previous library, our newest home opened.  The new facility offers 3 times the space, five times the number of public computers, more than double the seating, meeting rooms, quiet study areas, a coffee bar, teen zone, and 200 parking spots within view of the main entrance.  The amount of services provided since the move has exploded.  Patrons noted that they couldn’t believe such a sophisticated Library could be located in their home town.  The success of the Library has sparked more downtown renovation, including a new bank and a university satellite campus.  We are proud that our Library is serving to create a renaissance in the City of Kankakee.