Library Readies to Celebrate 135th Anniversary

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Published on July 26 2018 9:52 am
Last Updated on July 26 2018 9:53 am

Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library will celebrate 135 years of serving the Effingham community Tuesday, July 31. Stop in for cookies and punch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can also celebrate by attending dressed as your favorite literary character.

Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed characters at Noon in the Workman Room, immediately followed by the Super Summer Reader Award Ceremony. The Super Summer Reader Award Ceremony is for all summer readers who reached Level 7 during the reading program. If you are unsure if your child has reached Super Summer Reader status, you may call the library or check their online logs for the earned Astronaut – Super Summer Reader badge.

Founded July 31, 1883, by the Effingham Ladies Library Association by Mrs. Nellie Bliss White, the library began with just 600 books and a desire to share them with the community.

Today, the library has over 50,000 books, magazines, and audio-visual materials, an annual circulation of over 253,000 items, a wide variety of programs for youth and adults, as well as, free computer and WiFi access. To further support Effingham and the surrounding communities, the library creates unique opportunities to connect with literature, learning, and the community.

Like the Effingham community, Effingham Public Library has experienced many changes and incredible growth over the past 135 years. 2018 marks the eleventh straight year of growth for the library. This is the first year that circulation has reached over 250,000 items. Over the past 10 years, circulation has more than doubled from less than 100,000 items. Programming has also seen an increase in participation. In the last year, adult programming has increased by 12%, outreach services have increased by 13%, and youth programming numbers grew from 7,500 to nearly 9,500, a 22% increase.

Through the course of the past 135 years, the library has outgrown six different locations. In September 2015, the Effingham Public Library moved from its Market Avenue location just down the road to the former Fifth Third Bank location at 200 North Third Street, doubling its previous size.   

For further information, the library can be contacted at 217-342-2464 x1, email info@effinghamlibrary.org, or go online at www.effinghamlibrary.org.