Library

Fall hours

Monday 10:00a.m. - 8:00p.m.

Tuesday 1:00 - 8:00p.m.

Wednesday 10:00a.m. - 8:00p.m.

Thurday 1:00 - 8:00p.m.

Friday 1:00 - 5:00p.m.

Saturday 9:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.

The library's centennial will be celebrated with author appearances such as Seattle Sutton on Thursday, November 10th, and an Open House on Sunday, November 13th. There will be door prizes and bookmakrs to be given away also.

"Contennial Stars" is the name of the queen-sized quilt made by Friends of the Library to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the liberary. Raffle tickets are being sold for the wuilt, with the drawing to take place in November. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 and are available at the library.

The Friends also have commemorative book bags for sale in two sizes, at $6 and $10 each. The bags are also available at the library.

155 East Bluff Street
(815) 795-4437
Fax (815) 795-5137

Local History Room Open By Appointment Only 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm

Young Explorers
Science Club
Boys & Girls ages 8-12
2nd and 4th Monday of every month @ 6:30 P.M.

Preschool Story Time
Boys & Girls - Ages 2-5
Wednesdays
10:00 A.M.

Adult Reading Group
1st Thursday of the month
6:45 pm

American Girl Reading Club
Girls ages 8 and up
Every Other Tuesday
6:30 pm - 8 pm

Board of Trustees
Meetings on second Monday
of the month
5:15 pm

In 1904, a committee formulated plans for a public library in Marseilles. The city council passed a resolution to establish a public library and then Mayor McIntyre appointed the first nine member board of directors. Money for the library site was raised by selling private subscription by the citizens of Marseilles. Mr. Andrew Carnegie donated $10,000.00 to the building fund and the library began in the spring of 1905,at the site that where it is located now. The structure was completed in the fall of that year. When the library opened on November 23rd, there was nineteen borrowers registered and nearly 700 books. By the end of the first year close to 1,600 books had been gifted by individuals and organizations. Because the library’s patronage grew there was a need to add to the original building. In 1929 the city council approved the plans for enlarging the building, but due to economic conditions the addition was not completed until 1938. This library operates under state laws which authorize the mayor to appoint a board of nine directors.

Today this stately building has quite a history. The beautiful old rooms are lined with thousands of volumes, a local history room houses old records, pictures, and other memorabilia. Families and donors continue to add to this museum-like area. Several groups ranging from the very young to senior citizens meet in the library. There are several activities open to the general public, as well as several books, audio books, large print books, and computers for word processing and internet access are now in place for patron’s use. Plan a visit to the Marseilles Public Library located on east Bluff Street just 1 block off Main.