EISENHOWER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

...Serving Harwood Heights and Norridge since 1972

    4613 N. Oketo Ave. Harwood Heights, IL 60706               Phone: 708-867-7828                    TTY: 708-867-6362                Fax: 708-867-1535
    Library Exterior Computer Lab Shadow Library Services Skylight

History and Mission

History


The Eisenhower Public Library District serves the residents of Norridge and Harwood Heights. We began in 1972 with money from the federal government. After one year, residents voted to support a library using property tax revenue, which continues to be the main source of library income today.

We were originally located in the Parkway Towers on Harlem Avenue. Because of the lack of space, we also had a bookmobile (running through 1976) which made weekly stops at local schools, the village halls, churches and several businesses.

In 1974 we moved to the CANTOS sheet metal factory. Expansion and remodeling, from 7500 sq ft to 11,250 square feet in 1982, was paid for by a mortgage. The corporate rates to all residents remained the same.

The library has used computers to checkout materials since 1975. In February of 1984, we added a computerized card catalogue, becoming the 8th library in the state of Illinois to offer this service.

In January of 2008 we moved into our brand-new state of the art "green" building at 4613 N Oketo. With over 43,000 square feet of space, we now have a dedicated children's department called Kids World, a Quiet Room featuring comfortable chairs and a fireplace, study rooms, a computer lab and more.

Since the beginning we've been a member of the Metropolitan Library System, a group of libraries made up of public, academic, special, high school and grade school libraries in the near south and west Chicago-area suburbs. Ask at the Library Services desk for a list of the libraries in our system. Your library card is good throughout the state of Illinois with some exceptions.

Mission


The Eisenhower Public Library District, with its helpful expert staff, offers library services in a friendly environment to all residents of Harwood Heights and Norridge. The library actively provides reference service to community residents of all ages, using the library's entire collection and all appropriate sources. The library's collection consists of current and popular materials for persons of all ages and reading levels. Use of this collection is actively encouraged and promoted by the library staff.