Library Governance

Library Board Meeting:

The Board meets on the fourth Monday of the month, except in May, where they meet on the 3rd Monday due to Memorial Day. The Board generally does not meet in December.

Library Board Members

President
Tom Murray

Vice President
Patricia Blatti

Secretary
Julie Mason

Treasurer
Keri English

Trustees
Jan Krekel
Sharon Gill
Amanda Dearing

Have a question for the board members? Please contact them at [email protected]

Meeting Schedule, Minutes, and Agendas

2025 Minutes Agenda
January 27 View Minutes View Agenda
February 24 View Minutes View Agenda
March 24 View Minutes View Agenda
April 28 View Minutes View Agenda
May 26 View Minutes View Agenda
June 23 View Minutes View Agenda
July 28 View Minutes View Agenda
August 25 View Minutes View Agenda
September 22 View Minutes View Agenda
October 27 View Minutes View Agenda
November 24 View Minutes View Agenda
2024 Minutes Agenda
January 22 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
February 26 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
March 4 Special Meeting View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
March 4 Special Elwood Committee Meeting View Minutes View Agenda (PDF)
March 25 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
April 22 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
April 22 Budget Committee Meeting View Minutes View Agenda (PDF)
May 20 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
June 17 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
June 17 Budget Committee Agenda View Minutes View Agenda (PDF)
June 24 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
July 8 Special Meeting View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
July 22 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda
August 26 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
September 23 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
October 3 Special Meeting View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
October 28 View Minutes View Agenda (PDF)
November 19 Special Meeting View Minutes View Agenda (PDF)
November 25 View Minutes (PDF) View Agenda (PDF)
November 25 Elwood Committee Meeting View Minutes View Agenda (PDF)

Library Policies

State and Federal Acts

In accordance with Public Act 97-0609 (5 ILCS 120/7,3) a list of all employees whose total compensation package exceeds $75,000 is available in the library’s Business Office. The statute defines “total compensation package” as salary, employer-paid health insurance premiums, housing allowance, vehicle allowance, clothing allowance, bonuses, loans, vacation days which will be earned in that year and sick days which will be earned in that year. The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District does not provide vehicle allowance, housing allowance, clothing allowance, or loans to its employees. The business office is located at 240 Whitson Street in Manhattan, Illinois.

Ordinance Notice

Library History

Manhattan Public Library Founded

-March 21, 1909 The Manhattan Public Library District was founded in 1909 by John Henry Smale, a visiting seminarian from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and a group of interested citizens. The first library, with a collection of one hundred book donations and a bookcase from the John Baker family, was housed in the village hall. The library was open on Saturdays with Ruby Cockle as librarian. The library was funded by talent shows, card parties, and an annual summer festival.

First Library Board Established

-February 21, 1919 In 1919, the citizens of Manhattan Township voted to levy taxes to support the library. On the first Library Board of Trustees were Flora Baker, Anna Tennysen, Bert Hollenbach, Elvira Klinger, Harry Kirstein, and Nelson Lynk. Flora Baker became the second librarian, and in 1933, Dorothy Cockle Allen assumed the position. Librarians immediately following Mrs. Allen were Isabelle Treshan, Vera Borden, and Jennie Loucks.

New Building Purchased

-June 21, 1940 In 1940, the Manhattan State Bank building was purchased for $1,500

Golden Anniversary

-March 21, 1959 In 1959 the library celebrated its golden anniversary and had a collection of 7,500 books. At this time, Effie Dyer was the librarian.

Another Building Purchased

-March 21, 1968 In 1968, the library purchased the Evangelical United Brethren Church building at 240 Whitson St. In 1975, Ruth Mundt became the librarian.

First Full-Time Librarian & New Library

-February 19, 1984 The first full-time head librarian, Judy Bunting, was hired in 1984. Plans were in progress for the construction of a new library building. The trustees applied for and received a Library Services and Construction Grant from the federal government for $88,000 to match the $120,000 in the library’s building fund. With the help of the community, ground was broken on September 8, 1984 for the new library, and the Manhattan Public Library District moved into its new home on June 22, 1985. Dedication of the new building was held on October 27, 1985, on the 76th anniversary of the library.

Library Name Change

-May 19, 1987 The Manhattan Township Public Library became Manhattan Public Library District in July of 1987.

Jackson Townships Annexed

-February 19, 1995 In 1995, Jackson Township precincts 2 and 4 were annexed by referendum. In August of 2000, Judy Bunting retired and Judy Pet was named Library Director. The April 2001 elections brought the annexation by referendum of Jackson Townships 1 and 3, including the town of Elwood.

Library Remodel Begins

-February 19, 2013 In the winter of 2013, the library began the process of remodeling the existing building and adding 3,600 square feet in modular units to house the Children and Teen departments. On October 20, 2014 the library hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand reopening. Retired director Judy Pet cut the ribbon in honor of her 25 years of service to the library.

Elwood Branch Begins

-July 11, 2022 In 2022, the library purchased a building in Elwood. It will be remodeled to be a supplemental Elwood Branch of the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District. It is expected to open in fall of 2024. It is located at 111 Mississippi Rd. Elwood, IL 60421.

Elwood Branch Opens

-November, 2024 On November 19, 2024, trustees and staff hosted an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Elwood Branch of the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District. The following day, November 20, 2024, the Elwood Branch officially opened to the public.