Company Profile
Six Mile Regional Library District
Company History
History of the Library
• March 1912 – The Granite City Council votes to open a library, in accordance with Illinois law.
• December 1912 – The Library opens to the public with approximately 300 books donated by residents of the city. Library is located in the Judd & Gonterman building at 19th & Delmar.
• 1921 Library moved to Karandjeff building on Niedringhaus Avenue across from former post office site.
• July 1925 – Resolution passes by the city council authorizing $150,000 for a new library, to be raised by a tax levy of $15,000 each year for 10 years beginning in 1925.
• August 1928 – Groundbreaking for the new library building took place in the present downtown location.
• November 1929 – Joint dedication ceremony for the library and city hall was held.
• 1948 – Repair and remodeling work on the library, including construction of the mezzanine, was completed.
• 1952 – Bookmobile service began.
• 1965 – GCPL became a member of the Lewis & Clark Library System.
• 1976 – Redecorating of the library was completed. This work included installation of new light fixtures, new carpet, and drapes and shades for the windows.
• May 1978 – Branch library opened in Nameoki Village Shopping Center.
• April 1983 – Friends of the Granite City Public Library officially came into being.
• 1984 – Branch moves to temporary location in Central Christian Church on Johnson Road.
• 1985 – Construction at downtown building to add the 20th Street entrance and a handicapped lift.
• 1986 – Library catalog uploaded into an automation system through the Lewis & Clark Library System.
• 1988 – Branch opens in new facility on Johnson Road.
• 1990 – Became the Granite City Public Library District, with a seven-member elected board.
• Sometime around 1990 – 1992 – Annexed Mitchell into District.
• 1996 – Bookmobile discontinued.
• 1998 – Library introduced public Internet access.
• 2002 – Annex Pontoon Beach and parts of Arlington into Library District.
• 2003 – New name to better describe the expanded boundaries of the library service is: Six Mile Regional Library District.
• 2005 – Automation upgraded to new software.
• 2013 – Awarded Public Library Construction Act grant/passed referendum for matching funds
• 2014 – completed $4.1 million renovation of downtown library building
Notable Clients
residents of Granite City, Pontoon Beach, and Mitchell, Illinois
Benefits
13 paid holidays when the library is closed each year
Paid day off for birthday