Our History

From a Small Community Library to Today's York Township Public Library

The history of the York Township Public Library is a story of community vision, volunteer dedication, and a belief that everyone should have access to books, information, and learning.

1911–1920 — The Library Begins

1911
A private group of readers in Thomson formed the Thomson Civic Association, with 12 men and 27 women.

1912
The group decided to establish a public library in a store building on Main Street.

1914
The library moved to the front upstairs room of the bank building and was staffed by volunteers.

1918
Two lots were donated by Miss Tillie Dugard for library purposes. Mrs. Mattie Peck, founder of the Thomson Civic Association, donated $1,000 toward construction of a library building.

1919
A village election was held, and residents voted to build a public library.

1920
Construction of the library was completed, and 631 books were placed on the shelves. By May 1921, village trustees had set aside one-quarter mill of tax revenue to support the library.

1939–1978 — Growing With the Community

1939
Following a judicial election, the village library became the York Township Public Library. A township tax of 6/100 mills provided approximately $800 for the year's library expenses.

1967
The Library Board voted to join the NILS system.

1968
The York Township Public Library had approximately 300 borrowers.

1972
The library began its first summer reading program for children.

1978
The library's collection and patron use had grown significantly. The children's section was moved to the basement, and a children's librarian was hired to oversee the growing collection and expanding summer reading program.

1981–1997 — Technology and Expansion

1981
A modest addition was added to the back of the original building. It included a restroom, as well as a handicap-accessible ramp leading to a rear entrance.

1982
The library received its first copier as a donation.

1990
The library purchased its first computer.

1994
The local Chamber of Commerce donated a fax machine to the library.

1996
The library upgraded its computer system, receiving one computer through the LSCA Fund and another through an Ally Computer Grant.

1997
The library had approximately 12,000 hardcover books and a membership of approximately 903 borrowers. Many memberships were family listings rather than individual borrowers. The 1990 Federal Census listed the township population at 1,951, a figure used when applying for per-capita grants.

1996–2001 — Building a New Future

1996
The Library Board of Trustees and Librarian Deeann Kramer began a building fund to expand the original 720-square-foot brick library building.

The Trustees raised $76,000 to serve as the foundation for the building project. Funds were raised with support from the Thomson Chamber of Commerce, weekly bingo proceeds, community fundraisers, and the annual Lucky Duck Race on Johnson's Creek.

1999
Dr. Arthur Donart, a Thomson Village Trustee, contacted State Representative Mike Boland and State Senator Denny Jacobs about obtaining funding through the Illinois FIRST project.

Librarian Deeann Kramer also contacted Senators Jacobs and Representative Boland to request funding for a library addition.

In September, the library received notification from the Illinois State Library that $325,000 had been appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly for an addition to the library. An additional $25,000 was provided for furnishings through funding secured by Illinois State Senator Denny Jacobs.

The Illinois State Library administered the funding.

Execucon, Ltd. of Albany, Illinois, was awarded the construction project, with Dennis Kelly of Kelly & Associates of Moline serving as architect.

The new brick addition added 3,317 square feet to the library. The project included accessibility improvements, additional parking for approximately 23 vehicles, and renovations to the original building.

The original structure was renovated into a multipurpose room with a kitchenette and seating for approximately 50 people.

June 2000
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the library expansion.

July 14, 2001
The York Township Public Library celebrated the completion of the project with a Ribbon Cutting and Open House.

A Community Library Built by Its Community

From a small group of local readers in 1911 to today's York Township Public Library, our library has grown because of the people of Thomson and York Township.

Generations of residents, volunteers, trustees, community organizations, donors, and library staff have helped build and support the library we have today.

We are proud of our history — and excited about our future.