Library History
The Cherry Valley Public Library District began as a village Library on April 19, 1977 when seven persons were elected to serve as Library trustees. The first building to house the Library was the former Fisher’s store at 209 E. State Street.
In 1978, the Library trustees hired a librarian and applied for membership in the Northern Illinois Library System. By July, 1979, there were 4,000 books on the shelves and 351 cardholders (167 adults and 184 children).
In 1980, Revenue Sharing Grants were approved by both the Cherry Valley Village Board and the Cherry Valley Township Board and many books and materials were purchased. A Village Board grant of $20,000 was earmarked for purchase of a new Library building. The Library moved across the street to 202 E. State Street, the former Ekedahl Tool Building, and remained there for nine years.
In 1983, a referendum was passed creating the Cherry Valley Public Library District, thus increasing the size of the population served from 1,000 to 10,955 (1990 census). A new, larger Library building was needed. Voters passed a referendum in April, 1988 to build a new Library. The Library moved to its current location at 755 E. State Street in November, 1989.
In 2012, additional space was added to the Adult Services side of the Library, and in 2015 the parking lot was expanded and a garage was built. A drive-through book return and pick-up window were added in 2020 along with a staff workroom, Youth Services program room, and an expanded picture book area. This brings the total library size to 19,850 square feet.
Hours & Closed Days
Hours
- Monday – Thursday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 1 to 5 PM
(September through May)
Holiday Closed Dates
2024
- November 27, Wednesday – Early close at 5:00pm
- November 28, Thursday – Thanksgiving Day
- November 29, Friday – Thanksgiving Holiday
- December 24, Tuesday – Christmas Eve
- December 25, Wednesday – Christmas Day
- December 31, Tuesday – New Year’s Eve
2025
- January 1, Wednesday – New Year’s Day
- April 20, Sunday – Easter
- May 11, Sunday – Mother’s Day
- May 26, Monday – Memorial Day
- July 4, Friday – Independence Day
- August 8, Friday – Staff Development Day – Late opening at 1:00pm
- September 1, Monday – Labor Day
- November 26, Wednesday – Early close at 5:00pm
- November 27, Thursday – Thanksgiving Day
- November 28, Friday – Thanksgiving Holiday
- December 24, Wednesday – Christmas Eve
- December 25, Thursday – Christmas Day
- December 31, Wednesday – New Year’s Eve
2026
- January 1, Thursday – New Year’s Day
Meeting Rooms
The Library has three meeting rooms of various sizes that are available for groups, businesses, and individuals to reserve.
Some basic provisions of the library’s meeting room policy include:
- Fees
- Literacy Room ‐ There is no charge for use.
- Conference Room
- All for-profit users and non-profit users who do not have a Cherry Valley library card will be charged $25 for the first two hours of use, with a $10 charge per hour thereafter.
- Large Meeting Room
- For-profit users who have a Cherry Valley library card and non-profit users who do not have a Cherry Valley library card will be charged $25 for the first three hours of use, with a $10 charge per hour thereafter.
- For-profit users who do not have a Cherry Valley library card will be charged $50 for the first three hours of use, with a $25 charge per hour thereafter.
- Reservations
- Should be submitted using our online room reservations system.
- Reservations may not be made more than 60 days in advance.
For full details, please read the Public Meeting Room Policy first. You can then the visit our Room Reservations Page to determine if the date you are interested in is available. Please complete an online reservation request from the Room Reservations Page. You will be notified via email regarding the status of your request.
Employment
To apply for any open positions, please complete our Employment Application (save to your device before completing in Adobe) and e-mail to jennyh@cherryvalleylib.org
Applications that are submitted when no positions are currently available will be kept on file.