Chester Public Library

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Chester Public Library Library History:

The Chester Public Library has stood in service to the community of Chester for over 90 years. C. B. The city of Chester provided the ground. Mr.

Even as the community was in its earliest stages of settlement, Chester's citizens demonstrated an interest in the cultural development of their community. A library system had developed in Chester by 1891. That library was a private institution known as the Tecumseh Public Library. The public had access to the library on a subscription basis. In 1924 the library system became a public city library supported by tax funds. It adopted the name Chester Public Library, but had no permanent facility to serve as the library building. The Charles Briggs Cole family was especially influential in the cultural development of the Chester community, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Tecumseh Public Library. As the library grew in service to the community and expanded it's collection of volumes, the need for a library building became increasingly apparent. In January 1927, at the urging of his daughter, Alice, Mr. Cole offered to build a permanent library building for the community of Chester, making it a gift to the city and it's citizens. Mayor Sigmund Aszman accepted the generous offer on behalf of the community. The library building was constructed on the site of the Jim Morrison home on Sparta Street. A. E. Crippen was the contractor for the construction. The construction of the building took less than one year. By January 31, 1928, the library building had been completed and was ready for occupancy. Unfortunately before plans for a dedication of the building could be completed, Mr. Charles Briggs Cole died. The loss of the public spirited citizen was a blow to the entire community. Appropriately the decision was made to hold the public funeral services for Mr. Cole in the library building, the very embodiment to his tremendous generosity and commitment to his dearly loved community. The dedication of the new Chester Public Library took place on April 22, 1928. Immediately the library became the focal point of many community activities and has continued as such until the present day. Files from 1929 library records show 60 cardholders and a book collection of around 3,000 volumes. In 1997 the library served over 2,500 cardholders and housed a collection of 33,022 volumes. These numbers speak to the dramatic growth in service to the community -- and resources provided in that service -- by the Chester Public Library. This era of expansion has been under the supervision of only five Administrative Librarians: Miss Minnie Adams (1928 - 1957), Mrs. Mabel Nagel (1957 - 1971), Mrs. Frances McDonald (1971 - 1990), Mrs. Mary Frances Eggemeyer (1990 - 1996) and Mrs. Tamara J. Grah (1997 - present). As the community of Chester has grown and prospered, so too has the Chester Public Library grown in service to the people of the community of Chester. With its large number of volumes, as well as records, audio and video tapes, microfilms, computer software, and large print books, the library has grown to the extent that the magnificent building so generously and graciously given by Mr. Cole no longer could adequately house its resources. It was with great pride and much joy that the 60th Anniversary of the Chester Public Library was celebrated in conjunction with the groundbreaking for the library building's expansion on October 30, 1988. The expansion plan doubled the size of the library building and maintained the architectural beauty and integrity of the existing building. The new facilities were officially dedicated on May 6, 1990. The community now enjoys the continuation of fine library services in a dignified and beautiful setting.

Family Movie Night: Moana (live action)Friday, November 6th at 6pmPopcorn is provided. Feel free to bring snacks and a l...
10/29/2026

Family Movie Night: Moana (live action)
Friday, November 6th at 6pm

Popcorn is provided. Feel free to bring snacks and a lidded beverage.

Autumn Leaf Hedgehog CraftTuesday, November 3rd at 4pmRecommended for ages 8 and below. Registration required. Sign up o...
10/28/2026

Autumn Leaf Hedgehog Craft
Tuesday, November 3rd at 4pm

Recommended for ages 8 and below. Registration required. Sign up online or by calling 826.3711

We are moving the book club discussion to November 10th so as not to compete with election day.
10/21/2026

We are moving the book club discussion to November 10th so as not to compete with election day.

Lights Out at the LibraryHalloween PartyOctober 30th at 6 pmJoin us for a glow in the dark scavenger hunt, snacks, games...
10/20/2026

Lights Out at the Library
Halloween Party
October 30th at 6 pm

Join us for a glow in the dark scavenger hunt, snacks, games, crafts, prizes and candy! Costumes are encouraged.

All ages welcome! Registration appreciated but not required. Sign up online or by calling 826.3711

Don't miss out on our special presentation and discussion on the civil rights movement with Craig Dudnick. Tonight at th...
10/19/2026

Don't miss out on our special presentation and discussion on the civil rights movement with Craig Dudnick. Tonight at the library at 6:30 pm. Refreshments included!

LEGO Free BuildThursday, October 29th from 3:30 - 5:30 pmDrop in between 3:30 pm and 5:30pm on the last Thursday of the ...
10/19/2026

LEGO Free Build
Thursday, October 29th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm

Drop in between 3:30 pm and 5:30pm on the last Thursday of the month for LEGO free build. You can bring your own set to work on or build something from the library's LEGO.

Virtual Vacation: Salem, MassachusettsOctober 26th at 1pmExplore Salem, the second-oldest settlement in New England. Mos...
10/16/2026

Virtual Vacation: Salem, Massachusetts
October 26th at 1pm
Explore Salem, the second-oldest settlement in New England. Most well-known for the Salem witch trials of 1692, which strongly informs the city's cultural identity into the present. Refreshments included.

Sign up is requested but not required. Sign up online or by calling 826.3711

Pumpkin Painting/DecoratingSaturday, October 24th at 10amJoin us for decorating & painting pumpkins. Registration is req...
10/14/2026

Pumpkin Painting/Decorating
Saturday, October 24th at 10am
Join us for decorating & painting pumpkins.

Registration is required. Sign up online or by calling 826.3711

The Library is closed on Monday, October 12th for Indigenous Peoples' Day.We will reopen on Tuesday, October 13th with n...
10/10/2026

The Library is closed on Monday, October 12th for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
We will reopen on Tuesday, October 13th with normal business hours.

Special Presentation: Alice's Ordinary People by Craig DudnickMonday, October 19th at 6:30pmSpecial presentation and dis...
10/09/2026

Special Presentation: Alice's Ordinary People by Craig Dudnick
Monday, October 19th at 6:30pm

Special presentation and discussion with independent filmmaker Craig Dudnick. Alice’s Ordinary People is a documentary film about Alice Tregay – a woman who refused to stand still for injustice. Her remarkable story spans the historic period from the marches of Dr. King to the election of Barack Obama, and her unique contribution in the field of politics is the thread that connects the two.

Address

733 State St
Chester, IL
62233

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6am
Friday 9am - 1pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+16188263711

Website

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