Monday9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
SundayClosed
1 JanClosed
4 AprClosed
30 MayClosed
31 MayClosed
4 JulClosed
5 JulClosed
5 SepClosed
6 SepClosed
24 Nov9:00 AM — 5:00 PM
25 NovClosed
24 DecClosed
25 DecClosed
31 Dec9:00 AM — 3:00 PM
  • Catalog
  • My Account
  • Chat 24/7

  • Home
  • Books & Media
    • Books
      • Book Discussion Groups
      • Books for Kids
      • Recommendations
      • Books for Teens
      • New & Coming Soon
    • Movies
      • Recommendations
    • Download & Stream
      • Tiny Book Club: A Podcast
      • Library of Things
    • Tiny Book Club: A Podcast
    • Library of Things
  • Research
    • Online Resources
      • Articles
      • Consumer Information
      • Job & Career
      • Biography & History
      • Education – Adult
      • Newspapers
      • Books & Literature
      • Genealogy
      • A-Z List
      • Business, Investing & Law
      • Health & Science
    • Homework Help
      • Kids – Grades K-8
      • Teens – Grades 9-12
      • COVID-19 Vaccine Info
      • Chat 24/7
      • Book-a-Librarian
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Info
    • Chat 24/7
    • Book-a-Librarian
  • Kids & Teens
    • Kids
      • Infants & Preschoolers
      • School Age & Tweens
      • Family Fun
      • Storytime
      • Battle of the Books
      • For Parents
      • Books & Reading
      • Homework Help
      • For Teachers
      • Volunteer
      • Lego Challenge Gallery
    • Teens
      • Books
      • Teen Programs
      • Homework Help
      • Volunteer
  • Discover
    • For Adults
      • Art in the Library
      • Friends of the Library
      • Arts & Culture
      • Genealogy
      • Book Discussion Groups
      • GlenVIEWINGS
      • Business & Investing
      • Job & Career
      • Play & Learn
      • Literacy Classes
      • For Older Adults
      • Technology Classes
    • Programs for Kids
      • Programs For Teens
      • Innovation Center
      • COVID Memory Project
    • Calendar/Register
      • Program Proposals
      • New to Zoom?
    • Programs For Teens
    • Innovation Center
    • COVID Memory Project
  • About Us
    • Administration & Board
      • Board of Trustees
      • Management Team
      • Mission & History
      • Strategic Plan
      • Finances
      • Policies
      • FOIA
    • Using Your Library
      • Hours, Closings & Map
      • Getting Your Card
      • Borrowing Basics
      • Technology
      • Accessibility
      • Book a Meeting Room
    • Supporting Your Library
      • Donate
      • GPL Foundation
      • Friends of the Glenview Public Library
      • Irene Overman Kreer Used Book Store
      • Volunteer
      • Jobs at the Library
    • News & Events
      • Glenview Public Library: 90 Years New
      • LINES Newsletter
      • eNewsletter
      • Calendar/Register
      • Community Links
    • Glenview Public Library: 90 Years New
    • Community Links
  • Home
  • Books & Media
    • Books
      • Book Discussion Groups
      • Books for Kids
      • Recommendations
      • Books for Teens
      • New & Coming Soon
    • Movies
      • Recommendations
    • Download & Stream
      • Tiny Book Club: A Podcast
      • Library of Things
    • Tiny Book Club: A Podcast
    • Library of Things
  • Research
    • Online Resources
      • Articles
      • Consumer Information
      • Job & Career
      • Biography & History
      • Education – Adult
      • Newspapers
      • Books & Literature
      • Genealogy
      • A-Z List
      • Business, Investing & Law
      • Health & Science
    • Homework Help
      • Kids – Grades K-8
      • Teens – Grades 9-12
      • COVID-19 Vaccine Info
      • Chat 24/7
      • Book-a-Librarian
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Info
    • Chat 24/7
    • Book-a-Librarian
  • Kids & Teens
    • Kids
      • Infants & Preschoolers
      • School Age & Tweens
      • Family Fun
      • Storytime
      • Battle of the Books
      • For Parents
      • Books & Reading
      • Homework Help
      • For Teachers
      • Volunteer
      • Lego Challenge Gallery
    • Teens
      • Books
      • Teen Programs
      • Homework Help
      • Volunteer
  • Discover
    • For Adults
      • Art in the Library
      • Friends of the Library
      • Arts & Culture
      • Genealogy
      • Book Discussion Groups
      • GlenVIEWINGS
      • Business & Investing
      • Job & Career
      • Play & Learn
      • Literacy Classes
      • For Older Adults
      • Technology Classes
    • Programs for Kids
      • Programs For Teens
      • Innovation Center
      • COVID Memory Project
    • Calendar/Register
      • Program Proposals
      • New to Zoom?
    • Programs For Teens
    • Innovation Center
    • COVID Memory Project
  • About Us
    • Administration & Board
      • Board of Trustees
      • Management Team
      • Mission & History
      • Strategic Plan
      • Finances
      • Policies
      • FOIA
    • Using Your Library
      • Hours, Closings & Map
      • Getting Your Card
      • Borrowing Basics
      • Technology
      • Accessibility
      • Book a Meeting Room
    • Supporting Your Library
      • Donate
      • GPL Foundation
      • Friends of the Glenview Public Library
      • Irene Overman Kreer Used Book Store
      • Volunteer
      • Jobs at the Library
    • News & Events
      • Glenview Public Library: 90 Years New
      • LINES Newsletter
      • eNewsletter
      • Calendar/Register
      • Community Links
    • Glenview Public Library: 90 Years New
    • Community Links

Mission & History

Mission Statement

Through its collections, programs, and services the Glenview Public Library provides access to the world of information and ideas for its vibrant, diverse community.

Building History

Original Library 1931

Original Library, 1931

The Glenview Public Library was founded by a group of visionaries in the midst of the Great Depression. From the original home in the historic Village Hall on Prairie Street to the move to a permanent facility in 1955, the Library has spread its roots in the same corner of downtown Glenview, evolving with the aspirations of each new generation.

After additions in 1968 and 1986, the determination was made to replace the 50,908 square foot Library with a new 85,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, reflecting the demands of a culturally diverse population in a rapidly changing technological society. The new Library’s location, size, design, and function were debated for over a decade.

Interior, 1967

Interior, 1967

In the end, a plan for the new Library emerged, one that looks toward the future while respecting deeply cherished historic foundations.

Inherent in the Village’s Downtown Development Plan, the Glenview Public Library was to serve as an anchor for the downtown business district, while providing a cultural center in the heart of the Village. Emerging from the formal Building Program, developed by the project architect PSA-Dewberry, Inc. and with input from the Glenview Library Joint Administrative Committee, the vision of the new Library incorporated several driving principles:

  • A flexible and versatile design approach with respect for
    Library exterior 1968

    Exterior, 1968

    fundamental elements of library service, while planning for future technologies

  • A location accessible by multiple modes of transportation,amidst downtown businesses, residences, and parks
  • Expanded community meeting and program spaces
  • Quiet areas of study

An architectural style, rooted in historic motifs and weaving consumption were addressed, as well as sustainability in infrastructure design and choice of building materials. The creation of a professional work environment for librarians,

Library construction 1984

Construction, 1984

volunteers, and support staff that reflects a commitment to the profession and to the community, while fostering patron and peer-to-peer interaction, were other important design considerations. Each feature so thoughtfully designed for the new building encourages the Board of Trustees and the Staff to dedicate the future to the core mission to educate, enrich, inspire, and entertain—the Glenview Public Library, a decade in the making and a legacy to the generations.


Find more historic images from Glenview Public Library’s past on our Flickr page.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Administration & Board

  • Board of Trustees
  • Management Team
  • Mission & History
  • Strategic Plan
  • Finances
  • Policies
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Subscribe to our eNewsletter Subscribe

EDUCATE INSPIRE ENGAGE ENTERTAIN

  • About Us
  • My Account
  • Jobs at the Library
  • Contact Us
  • eNewsletter
  • Donate
  • Location & Hours
  • Friends of the Library
  • Catalog

Follow Us

  • 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview, IL 60025
  • 847-729-7500 | TTY: 847-729-7529
  • info@glenviewpl.org

© 2017-2021 Glenview Public Library. All rights reserved.

STAFF LOGIN

© 2021 Glenview Public Library. All Rights Reserved.