Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main Glen Carbon, IL 62034 - (618)288-1212 Fax (618)288-1205
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Library History

1975 The Glen Carbon Reading Center was established in the "Hex Building", located in the Cottonwood area.

1976 The Reading Center moved to the top floor of the Old Village Hall with a collection of 1,200 items. Library services were completely staffed by volunteers until 1982. The four volunteers were Rosalie Merritt, Mary Spencer, Carol Davison, & Jeanne Murphey.

1983 Branch center opened at "The Well" on Cottonwood Road.

1992 The Glen Carbon Centennial Library was established by referendum. The Library Board of Trustees hired a professional librarian, joined the Lewis and Clark Library System, and began work on renovating the library, which is now located on the three floors of the Old Village Hall.

1993 An elevator was installed, making the library handicapped accessible and a rear parking lot completed.

1994 - 1997 Renovation of three rooms and landscaping in progress.

1995 Children's Room completed.

1996 Adult Non-Fiction & Study Room completed.

1997 Children's Activity Room completed.

APRIL 2002 2.6 Million Referendum passed to build a new library at the entrance to Miner Park on Main Street. The Glen Carbon Historical Preservation Commission shares the third floor and houses memorabilia and photographs pertinent to local history.

October 2004 - New Glen Carbon Centennial Library opens at 198 S. Main Street.  After nearly 2 years of construction, the library opened its 15,000 square foot facility on Oc. 4, 2004, located adjacent to the town's historic covered bridge.  With Glen Carbon's coal mining history in mind, the entrance to the children's area resembles an entrance to a coal mine with rough-hewn timbers holding up a corrugated tin roof overhanging the door.  Lighting fixtures and other accents, such as exposed wood beams and rafters throughout the building incorporate this theme in a state-of-the art facility that includes glassed-in study rooms, a community room, children's program room, wireless access, teen area and twenty-three patron access computer workstations.

November 2004 - Grand Opening of new Library