Helen M. Plum Memorial Library, Public library in Lombard, Illinois, US.
The Helen M. Plum Memorial Library is a public library in Lombard, Illinois, opened on 22 April 2023 at 411 and 425 South Main Street, the site of the former Mr. Z's grocery store and the Art Life Gallery and Studio. It replaced the 1963 building at 110 W. Maple Street, which closed on 8 March 2023.
Lombard's first public library was set up by Josiah Reade at the First Church of Lombard in 1905. The Helen Plum Library and Lilacia Park were founded in 1927 under the will of Colonel William R. Plum, and Reade's collection moved into Plum's house. The library relocated to 110 W. Maple Street in 1963 and moved to a new building at 411 South Main Street, opened on April 22, 2023.
The library houses the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf collection acquired in 2013, which shares educational resources about Muslim culture and history across America. This collection opens conversations about different traditions and perspectives in the community.
The library moved to 411 and 425 South Main Street, the site of a former Mr. Z's grocery store and the Art Life Gallery and Studio, bought on March 9, 2021. Ground was broken there on June 15, 2021, and the building opened to the public on April 22, 2023. The old library at 110 W. Maple Street closed permanently on March 8, 2023.
The building underwent complete reconstruction in 2023, replacing the old structure with an entirely new modern facility. This transformation demonstrates the community's ongoing commitment to updating public gathering spaces.
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