Library Mission
The Clarendon Hills Public Library provides materials and services of interest to community residents of all ages in order to promote the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading, and the power of information. Acting within our fiscal resources, the library embraces new technologies and material formats to meet the needs of our community while embodying small town charm and hospitality.
Library History
In May 1963, a Friends of the Public Library organization was formed by over 100 Clarendon Hills’ residents. This group's purpose was to create community interest in forming a public library, to stimulate monetary gifts and endowments for support of a public library, and to elect a board of trustees to help govern a library.
Through the work of this group of volunteers, in just six months, a home property located at 7 North Prospect Avenue was converted into a library space that opened its doors on Sunday, December 1, 1963. The library was completely organized and staffed by volunteers.
A tax-supported Clarendon Hills Library was established by referendum in 1968. In 1971, the converted house library was replaced with a new library building designed by Albert T. Smithson Jr. and the first paid librarian, Betsy Moore, was hired. This new library building opened to the public on May 7, 1972.
From these volunteer origins, the library - now with a staff of 11 - continues to thrive in Clarendon Hills thanks to the continued help of volunteers and a community of avid readers.
This historical information is taken from the book Clarendon Hills: The Village of Volunteers by Lois Leipper.
