The Wauconda Area Library is a public library located in
Wauconda, Illinois
Wauconda ( or ) is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 14,084. It is the site of the Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve, a National Natural Landmark. Wauconda ...
. The library district covers portions of
Lake
A lake is often a naturally occurring, relatively large and fixed body of water on or near the Earth's surface. It is localized in a basin or interconnected basins surrounded by dry land. Lakes lie completely on land and are separate from ...
and
McHenry Counties in
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...
and is a member of the
Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS).
History
The library was founded in 1939 by the Wauconda Women's Club as one shelf of books at
Wauconda High School. In 1948 as book count increased the library was moved to the larger space at the local sports shop and officially became known as Wauconda Public Library. In 1950 the library was moved to a room in the Village Hall due to the rent costs of the previous space. In 1962 a referendum was passed which led to transferring of the library title to the library board and becoming a township library. In 1963 the library was moved again to 212 Osage Street renting the front part of the building which was later bought in whole in 1971. In 1982 land was purchased to accommodate growing needs and a new building opened by 1987. In 1988 the library became a public library district. In 1997 a remodel occurred to expand the capacity of the library. The library earned the Distinguished Building Award in 1998 from the
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach progr ...
.
In 2015, the library underwent a renovation of the interior of the building. It added a kids play area downstairs, along with various other features.
In 2018 a renovation occurred to the exterior of the library after feedback from the community.
In 2020, the library started offering patrons remote reservations and contactless checkouts through MyLIBRO application.
References
External links
The Wauconda Area Library HomepageThe Wauconda Area Library Catalog
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Education in McHenry County, Illinois
Public libraries in Illinois
Libraries in Lake County, Illinois