Rockford Public Library
Article on history of the library by David Oberg
Rockford Library Association founded in 1852
In 1855, the Young Men’s Association proposed creating a library
In March 1857, shareholders paid $50 each to join
The first library was on the 3rd floor of the Robertson, Coleman Company, consisting of 1,000 volumes and 38 periodicals
During the Civil War, interest in the library declined, and the books were sold at public auction in 1865
The next version of the Rockford Public Library was founded by Elias Cosper, 1872
The Rockford Library reading room was opened on 08/01/1872
On 02/01/1873, the circulation department opened on the 2nd floor of northwest corner of State and Main, on “Wallach’s Block”
In July 1876, the library moved to the Post Office, on the 100 block of West State Street
In 1878, the library had its first withdrawals: 38 volumes worn out and 3 not returned by borrowers
In 1891, Mayor Starr appointed three women to the library board
In 1895, the board established 6 traveling libraries
In 1896, the library instituted a card catalogue
On 03/06/1901, Andrew Carnegie provided the opportunity to expand the library
The architects for the new library were Bradley and Carpenter
After discussion and delays the location on Wyman Street was chosen
The library was designed with twin entrances, East and West
In 1903, the new library housed a natural history collection. It was called the “Beattie Memorial Museum”
In 1904, the Rockford Public Library was free to Rockford residents, and $2 a year to Winnebago County residents
Also in 1904 the library has its first Child’s Room, and a branch on 7th Street
1905 photograph of library; Main Hall and Delivery Room
By 1917, there were library substations at Highland and Montague schools
In 1918, a thousand cards were given to Camp Grant soldiers
Also in 1918, a new Southeast branch was located at 1217 4th Avenue, and two deposit stations were created: at the W.C.T.U. (Women’s Christian Temperance Union) and at 1616 West State Street
By 1920, Rockford Public Library books were in 50 area schools
The Montague Branch Library was dedicated on 05/24/1923. The architect was Chester E. Wolfley. Montague was established in large part due to the St. Angel family
In 1925, the library opened the Fine Arts Room
By 1925, the Main Library was joined by five branches: Southeast, Highland, Montague, Rowland and West End
In 1929, circulation had risen to more than 500,000 items a year
Source: “Nuggets of History”, Volume 44, December 2006, No. 4
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