Galesburg’s brand-new public library is about to open to the public.
Library Director Noelle Thompson said opening day is set for Wednesday, April 24.
She said the opening is also a celebration of the library’s 150th anniversary.
The new 68,000 square foot library takes up an entire block of West Main Street and features five study rooms, a children’s library, a teen zone, a community room, a fireplace alcove, a reading balcony, and an art exhibit wall.
The library was largely funded by a $15.3 million grant from the Illinois State Library. Nearly $4 million was raised locally to make the project possible.
The library has been closed since March 1 while books, supplies, and equipment were moved to the new location at 264 W. Main St.
When the new library opens next week, visitors will be able to check out books, movies, and, for the first time, video games.
The former library at 40 E. Simmons St. was meant to be a temporary location after Galesburg’s Carnegie Library was destroyed by fire in 1958.
The new library’s hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
For more information about getting a library card, attending a program, or using a meeting space, visit galesburglibrary.org.
A grand opening celebration is planned for May.
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