Public Library History in Sugar Grove

Early on, the settlers of Sugar Grove Township recognized the importance and value of providing a public library.  Over the years, a public library has been housed in several different homes and buildings.

Early accounts of the history regarding the establishment of a public library in Sugar Grove Township appear in "Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois. 1878" on page 416-417:

"Two Public Libraries have exercised an important influence in the mental culture of the inhabitants of the township. According to some of the early settlers, sectional jealousy was first introduced through them; but be that as it may, their beneficial effects can scarcely be over estimated. Sectional feeling must have appeared of necessity, as the entire township became settled, and the fact that it was ushered in with the first library should count for naught in a consideration of the value of the library itself." 

"The first one was organized in the winter of 1843, by the farmers resolving themselves into a company of stockholders. Three of them headed the list by purchasing shares to the amount of ten dollars each, and others followed with smaller sums. The books were first kept at the house of S.G. Paull, Section 16, and the collection bore the name of Farmers' Library. The old records show that the books were most industriously read, and additions were occasionally made to their number until, in 1851, there were 264 volumes, embracing valuable works upon a variety of topics. many of them are now in the school house, in District 7."

"The second library was known as the Independent Farmers' Library, and was established during the Winter following the organization of the first. It was kept at Colonel Ingham's house, two and a half miles from the other. The books have now become scattered."

Source: "Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois. 1878" at pages 416-419.

In 1848, when the building for the Town Hall and Sugar Grove Center School was built on Main Street near the present Route 30, books from the first library were kept there. Then in 1873, a fire claimed the Town Hall and School, and all the books were lost.

In 1962, the local Ladies Society appointed a committe of Ester Lind, Lois Graham, and Grace McCanon to investigate establishing a library fo Sugar Grove.  Through much work by many citizens, the Sugar Grove Public Library District was established, and the library opened in the Community House with a donation of 466 books. The first Head Librarian was Grace McCannon, the first Assistant Librarian was Mrs. Vern Graham, and the first borrower at the library was Minnie Dugan.

In 1963, by vote, the library became a public tax-supported library and moved to the Carter Wilson House on Main Street just north of the Community House.

In 1980, a new 6,600 square-foot building was built and dedicated as the new Library at 54 Snow Street on the same site as the former Wilson House.

In 2008, when the Snow Street location became too cramped for the growing Sugar Grove Community, a new 27,400 square foot building was constructed on Municipal Drive. The architecture represents the rural roots of the community. 

According to the Sugar Grove Public Library Website:

"The Sugar Grove Public Library began in 1962 with a donation of slightly under 500 books, and became a public tax supported institution in 1963.  The first fully operational Library opened in 1980 in a 6,600 square foot facility. Due to a growing population and the need for space, updated facilities, emerging technology and desires for programming and civic space, voters voted YES for a new facility which opened in the current location at 125 South Municipal Drive in 2009."

Source:  https://www.sgpl.org/library-history#:~:text=The%20Sugar%20Grove%20Public%20Library,a%206%2C600%20square%20foot%20facility.

Cordogan Clark & Associates Architects designed the new Public Library building.  According to the archinet.com website,

"Sugar Grove Public Library, a 27,400 square foot library building [at 125 South Municipal Drive}, replaces a 6,600 square foot facility to better serve the population of Sugar Grove and parts of neighboring Montgomery and North Aurora. This facility is planned to serve the needs of this growing community for the next 10 to 15 years, with commensurate increases in collections, services,and programs. The library site is large enough to accommodate an additional 35,000 square feet of future expansion."

"The architectural concept of Sugar Grove Public Library was derived from a public desire to reflect the rural roots of the community, rather than importing a vernacular design. Working together with the community and key library administrators, Cordogan, Clark and Associates and Leo A. Daly, the library design consultant for this project, analyzed several of the area's historic public buildings and farmhouses to distill an architectural vocabulary that most residents agree is appropriate and uniquely Sugar Grove. Architectural design, detailing, and materials create the sense that this building has long been a part of the community."


Source:  https://archinect.com/firms/project/9702/sugar-grove-public-library/149988126

Currently, the Sugar Grove Public Library District is located at 125 S. Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove IL 60554. It serves a 37 square mile radius area that serves a population of 16,114 residents from Sugar Grove, Montgomery, Aurora, North Aurora, and Elburn. The Library District serves Sugar Grove Township, and Blackberry Township south of Seavey Road, except those areas annexed by North Aurora to the northeast and Aurora to the east. As of 2022, the Library has 7,100 cardholders or 44% of the district population. In the 2021-2022 year, there were 45,368 visitors, 3,592 program attendees and 220 programs, and 122,000 materials circulated.