The La Grange Park Public Library celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 14, drawing a few hundred visitors on a pleasant Saturday evening to its front parking lot for an open house.
“I think it’s a momentous occasion,” Executive Director Gabe Oppenheim said as the event was getting under way. “Fifty years of service to the community. We’re grateful to the community, and the village, and the Park District, and all of our partners for all their support over the years. We’re just happy that we’re still here.”
There was a chance the library might not have made it to the half-century milestone after structural damage to its home at 555 N. La Grange Road forced officials to undertake a major building renovation.
The need for a renovation became apparent in the 2014 discovery of the East wall of the building being compromised by water infiltration.
When the cost of the needed work was estimated at $2.2 million in 2015, library district officials decided to hold off and save money for it.
In 2021, the Library issued $4 million in bonds for the project, which by then was estimated to cost $5.6 million.
The remainder of the cost was covered by a state library construction grant and the library’s reserves. The library was closed for the repairs from August 2023 to May 2024 and conducted limited operations at the First Baptist Church of La Grange.
It had a Grand Reopening in August 2024, and Oppenheim indicated that the staff had begun preparing for the 50th anniversary celebration shortly after.
An effort to establish a library district in La Grange Park failed after a referendum was defeated in the late 1950s, according to media reports from 50 years ago. But a similar effort in the early 1970s generated overwhelming support for a public library in La Grange Park. At a library card registration event shortly afterward, more than 300 people turned out to sign up.
Five decades later, several area businesses stepped up to serve as sponsors of Saturday’s celebration, including Andy’s Frozen Custard, Beach Avenue BBQ, Happier Now Market and Cafe, Hop District Brewing, Mattone Restaurant, and Wonderful Matcha Tea.
Other sponsors were Sheri Sauer of @properties and the La Grange Park Chamber of Commerce, Christie’s International Real Estate, and Creative Party Packages Plus.
Mattone provided free pizza for visitors, Hop District served two different types of beer, Andy’s dispensed frozen custard, Happier Now had free mini-sandwiches, Beach Avenue BBQ served pulled pork sliders, and Wonderful Matcha had free tea samples.
One room of the Library was set aside so residents could see historical documents about the library and view a short film about it.
Balloon animals and face painting kept children occupied, as did an axe-throwing exhibition. Smoke and Mirrors played classic rock throughout the evening.
Library board Vice President Laurie Whitman was happy with the turnout.
“This is fabulous and I love it,” she said. “We had a beautiful day, which we deserve. We’re ecstatic with the renovation. … It was like coming home.”
Happier Now proprietor Andrea Slivka is a long-time area resident and talked about her early memories of the library.
“I’ve always loved the La Grange Park Library and I’ve known it since it was at the Science Center,’ she said, referring to the early years of the Library’s existence, when it was housed at Barnsdale School. “So anything to support the Library, I’m here for.”
La Grange Park President James Discipio was in attendance with his daughter and grandchildren.
“This is a phenomenal birthday party for the library,” he said.
“As you know, last year they did the renovation and it looks so good, and you can see by the turnout tonight that people are invested in our library … our library staff is phenomenal.”
Jim Graff is a graduate of Lyons Township High School and a regular patron of the library.
“I’m a La Grange Park resident and I moved here in 1997,” he said. “I’ve grown up in the area since 1964 … the library is a community outreach opportunity. Libraries are all about the future.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
