The Village of South Holland has 22,030 residents, is located in the Chicago Southland region and lives its motto, “Faith, Family, Future.” The Library has long been important to Village residents and to the region, celebrating 50 years of inspired existence in 2011. We offer responsive, personal service; comfortable seating with easy access to Wi-Fi and electrical outlets; study areas and meeting spaces that work well for individuals and group meetings; and programs that are second to none in innovation and learning value.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the South Holland Public Library is to serve and promote the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of all members of the South Holland community by providing access to a professional staff, a state of the art facility and quality materials, programs and services. It is also our mission to manage library resources wisely and ethically in support of our diverse community. The South Holland Public Library is committed to supporting a lifelong enjoyment of reading and learning.

History of the South Holland Public Library

On February 27, 1961, the Board of Trustees of the Village of South Holland passed a resolution establishing the Public Library and the Library Commission and designated property at 16175 South Park Avenue for library use. Read the original resolution.

Dr. James Hogg, Lillian Chapman, and Richard DeRobertis were the first directors of the Library Commission, and Marcia Broek was appointed as the first librarian. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the South Holland Lions Club, the building interior was remodeled and the Library opened to the public in September 1961.

Though initially supported by Village corporate funds (via a funds transfer from the band fund), a referendum was passed by the residents of South Holland to support the library with its own tax levy on February 27, 1962 and form a separate Library Board of Trustees. Dr. James Hogg, Lillian Chapman, Richard DeRobertis, Anthony Price, Robert Short and Betty Carhart were elected at large by the residents of South Holland as the first Library Board members. In June 1962, the first tax levy of $15,000 was appropriated and levied by the Village of South Holland to support the library.

On March 24, 1970, a $500,000 building referendum was passed by the residents of South Holland to build a new library building, along with a $70,000 federal grant. Construction began in 1971, and the South Holland Public Library opened its doors at its present location, 16250 Wausau Avenue, on April 24, 1972. The total cost to build the library building was $575,000.

In 1973, the South Holland Historical Society asked to use a room on the lower level for their museum. With funds provided by the Village, the room was finished off for this purpose. The Historical Society will occupy the room until it is needed by the Library. In 1976, the North Meeting Room on the lower level was constructed. In March 1991, the south end of the lower level was renovated for the Youth Services department, which moved into its current location in September 1991.

The Library has since undergone many remodeling and renovation projects, most notably with major renovations in 1991-92, in 2002-03, and in 2021-22. Additional projects have been completed, which include the roof replacement in 2006, drainage tile replacement in 2007, creation of the Teen Room in 2015, and the installation of a new ADA-compliant elevator in 2018.