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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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byMartin Reichel, GPLF Treasurer

Libraries stand as pillars of democracy, preserving knowledge and fostering open debate—but what happens when that foundation is threatened?

In 1933, over 20,000 books were burned in Berlin’s Bebelplatz, a chilling reminder of what’s at stake when access to information is controlled. Today, a powerful memorial marks the site, urging us never to forget.

As our community celebrates the new Galesburg Public Library, this history reminds us why libraries matter now more than ever. Click on the headline to explore the past, the present, and the enduring fight for free access to knowledge.

byMichelle Kroll

Encouraging readers to embrace a positive New Year’s resolution by exploring all that the Galesburg Public Library has to offer. Highlighting its inviting spaces, diverse programs, and community impact, this post celebrates the library as a hub for lifelong learning, connection, and creativity. It also inspires readers to go beyond visiting by supporting the library as donors, volunteers, and advocates.

byHeather Sipes

This Thanksgiving, we’re reflecting on the incredible impact our supporters have made on the Galesburg community. Read on to see how you’ve made a difference and why we’re so grateful for you this season!

byHeather Sipes

Explore one of the new innovative spaces within the newly constructed Galesburg Public Library. The Skills Lab promises to redefine how the library engages with the community by creating a dynamic learning space that transcends traditional boundaries.

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