The South Branch of the Evanston Public Library, located at 949 Chicago Avenue, is scheduled to close at the end of business on Saturday, February 26, 2011 upon termination of the lease. This closure is a result of reduced funding as part of the City of Evanston budget process that provided the Evanston Public Library Board with $3.7 million to allocate for library services.
Additionally, the South Branch exterior book drop will close at the end of business on February 26. After this date, library materials can be returned to either the Main Library (1703 Orrington Ave.) or the North Branch (2026 Central Ave.). The South Branch collection will be reallocated throughout the system for outreach efforts, summer reading programs, reading train stops, etc.
“The city would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the public, the Evanston Public Library Board and the Evanston Public Library Friends. Specifically, we would like to thank the Friends who were able to raise $108,400 to be combined with $50,000 from the Evanston Public Library Board to fund operations at the South Branch for six months through the end of February 2011,” said Library Director Mary Johns. “This was an extraordinary feat that demonstrates the support that the Evanston community has for its library services.”
The South Branch first opened in 1917 at 926 Chicago Avenue and moved in 1934 to its current location. The City of Evanston would like to thank the community for their support through the years.
The Evanston Public Library reminds residents of its continuing services such as: story times, crafts, lapsits and parenting workshops; book discussion groups for children, young adults and adults; early childhood literacy; online databases including business, genealogy, college and career planning, health, history and legal resources as well as newspapers and magazines; downloadable audiobooks; computer classes (including Spanish); classroom visits; Facebook; Twitter; meeting and conference rooms; art exhibits; adult, kids and family programs on a wide variety of topics; Books on Wheels for homebound delivery; wireless internet access; electronic newsletter; online renewals and requests and e-mail notices; variety of programs including music, poetry, current issues, history, book talks, movies; Junior Science Café; Hirshfield Poetry Awards; books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks; and book deposits at Metra stations, Crown Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, Levy Center and soon at the Morton Civic Center. To learn more about events, programs and services provided by the Evanston Public Library, please visit www.epl.org.