Despite the efforts underway for a new building, the Galesburg Public Library next week is celebrating the 60th anniversary of their current home at 40 East Simmons Street.
Following the fire in 1958 that destroyed the Carnegie Library, a temporary building was constructed and dedicated on November 3rd in 1961 but that “temporary” building turned out to be more of a long-term solution.
To honor the anniversary, the library will host an open house next Wednesday between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm to remember the past 60 years and look ahead to the future.
The community is invited to visit the library to view one display of photos from the past six decades and another of renderings and the concept for the future library, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023, and enter to win a 1961-themed prize basket, as well as submit a wish for the new library.
Library Director Noelle Thompson and GPL Foundation Executive Director Heather Sipes will give a presentation on the construction of the new library at 2:00 pm.
The presentation will be followed by a brief Q&A, and Archivist Emily DuGranrut will be available to give tours of the Archives.
The library board of trustees is currently accepting bids for construction, due November 19. The library expects to see construction on the new building start in the spring of 2023 on the corner of West Main and South Academy Streets.
