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New Library

Tour the Galesburg Public Library from the Outside In

The new library will blend with the unique character of the Galesburg historic district while providing extensive natural light indoors and outdoor green space to host library programs and feature public art and gardens. 

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Stepping Through the Doors

The library will feature bright, airy spaces that invite engaged learning, personal reflection, and community building. The interior will reflect Galesburg’s dynamic people and rich culture, emphasizing both history and present day.

The New Library will Feature:

  • Community Room

    A space equipped with a serving kitchen and the latest AV capabilities will be available after library hours and open to community members and groups to reserve for meetings, gatherings, and performances.

  • Children's Area

    This space will feature a discovery space for creative play, a family center to provide comfortable places for parents and caregivers to read to and interact with their children, and an early literacy center and tutoring space for deeper study.

    See the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation Children’s Discovery Area.

  • Teen Space

    A rich and welcoming environment to engage teens in fun and productive activities. It will include a gaming area, music listening station, and space for group study.

  • Skills Lab

    An interactive classroom for adults and teens to use tools, equipment, and training simulators to develop skills that may equip them for the workforce or empower them to live and thrive independently.

  • Public Living Room

    A large and relaxing space for adults to read, study, and connect with neighbors. Outside, a patio will invite outdoor reading, while inside, patrons will find many places to comfortably browse, linger, and connect.

  • Professional Spaces

    A space to help individuals and businesses realize their professional goals. This area will feature a learning commons with plentiful computer access and charging stations, small meeting spaces, and a large conference room.

Library Floorplans:

See what’s happening with the new Galesburg Public Library.

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Blog

byHeather Sipes

Thanks to the generosity of the 100 Extraordinary Women Campaign, the Galesburg Public Library’s Skills Lab is flourishing! From hydroponics and sewing to robotics and sublimation printing, the lab offers hands-on learning for all ages. Recently, Pam and Natalie joined us for the Chamber of Commerce’s Try It Tuesday to experience the creativity in action.

byHeather Sipes

From a college band stage to the library curio case—discover Rob Budach's quirky owl necklace collection that began with a $1 Goodwill find in the 1980s. A heartwarming community story from Galesburg Public Library.

byHeather Sipes

In this post, meet Margarita Patton—a Spanish teacher, former ESL student, and passionate library user. From her first days in Galesburg navigating a new language to now tutoring others on their own language journeys, Margarita’s story is one of learning, giving back, and finding joy in curiosity. Whether she’s checking out books on gardening or helping a student master Spanish vocabulary, she shows how the library supports growth at every stage of life.

byHeather Sipes

When Dr. Reginald Ball arrived in Galesburg, he thought he’d only be passing through. But in the quiet corners of the library—between the shelves and the unexpected books—he found something more: a place that felt like home. Between Places, Between Pages tells the story of how a library became a steady presence in a season of transition.

byHeather Sipes

In this Foundation Faces feature, we spotlight Ron Hunt—a lifelong learner, artist, and dedicated supporter of the Galesburg Public Library. From his years teaching poetry and watercolor to his continued advocacy for the library in retirement, Ron’s story is one of creativity, curiosity, and quiet impact.

byHeather Sipes

This summer, over 450 children experienced the joy of reading, creativity, and connection through the Galesburg Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. In this post, we’re celebrating the impact of your support, sharing heartfelt notes from young participants, and highlighting how—together—we exceeded our fundraising goal.

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