Do you love books? Why not adopt some? The library is looking for detail-oriented volunteers for our Adopt-a-Shelf program. Adopt-a-Shelf volunteers help keep the library tidy and accessible by maintaining orderly shelves, making sure books and audiobooks are in good condition for loan, and reducing the frustration our patrons experience when books are misplaced. Adopt-a-shelf volunteers donate their time to care for one section of the library by "adopting" that section. Sections are assigned based on volunteer interest and availability. All Adopt-a-Shelf volunteers commit to caring for their section for a minimum of one hour every two weeks; however, volunteers are welcome to spend more time if they like. Responsibilities of Adopt-a-Shelf volunteers include keeping books in numeric or alphabetical order, checking the condition of books, assuring that each book belongs to Galesburg Public Library, and dusting or cleaning shelves as needed. Volunteers will have their efforts recognized, if they choose, with an "Adopted by" nameplate placed in their section. Adopt-a-shelf volunteers wishing to care for shelves in the Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, Large Print, and Audiovisual Sections must be 18 years of age or older; those wishing to care for shelves in Young Adult sections must be 14 or older.
264 West Main Street, Galesburg, IL 61401, US
To serve the community as a general center of information, and to provide opportunity and encouragement for people to use its services and materials to meet their educational, personal, professional, recreational and cultural needs.
In 1858, the Young Men’s Literary and Library Association opened a reading room over a bank on Main Street. This reading room was the forerunner of the Galesburg Public Library, established as a Free Public Library and Reading Room in 1874. The library board constructed the first free public library building on land purchased by the board. A city tax levy and a $50,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie that was secured by then Knox College President, Dr. Thomas McClelland, paid for the building at 40 East Simmons Street. Dedicated on June 3, 1902, the Romanesque architecture of the Carnegie library included Bedford stone walls, curved windows and an entabulature adorned by tablets inscribed with the names of men of science, art and letters. The Carnegie library was destroyed by fire on May 9, 1958 and was replaced with a new library dedicated on November 3, 1961. A children’s room addition in 1967, installation of an elevator in 1984, and an expansion project completed in 1996 comprise the library as we know it today. At the dedication of the Galesburg Public Library in 1902, Albert Perry, president of the board, stated, "To this building we invite you all, without distinction of any kind. It is yours and all the books that it contains, and we trust and believe that it contains something beneficial to every citizen of this city." The library board and staff continue this philosophy and mission of service today, embracing and structuring change to bring you the best resources and services imaginable.
264 West Main StreetGalesburg, IL 61401
August 3, 2024
