Click here to buy tickets to the Foundation Art and Artifacts reception and silent auction.
Watch progress on our new Main Library.

History timeline

Historic Library PhotoEstablished in 1881 by city ordinance, The Aurora Public Library was located in the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Hall at 23 East Downer Place until 1904, when the current building at 1 E. Benton St. was erected using a $50,000 grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In 1969, the library underwent a major renovation, when two three-story wings and a modern façade were added on, expanding the building to its current 44,000 square feet.

The library has grown in other ways over the years. In a 1953 experiment, a Bookmobile was leased from the Illinois State Library to extend services to Aurora’s schoolchildren. Pleased with the results, the library purchased that Bookmobile, and has employed one ever since. The current Bookmobile has served the community since 2003.

In the 1990s, two branch libraries were added. The Eola Road Branch on the city’s east side opened in 1993 and was expanded in 2003 to meet heavy patron demand. The West Branch, on the campus of Washington Middle School, opened in 1998.

With an eye to the future, the library purchased the former Beacon-News property at 101 S. River St. in early 2010 with the intent of building a new, state-of-the-art main library by 2014.

Timeline of Aurora Public Library Events

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Main Library Picture

Main Library

1 E. Benton Street.
Aurora, Illinois 60505

» Driving Directions
ph : 630-264-4100
fax: 630-896-3209

Eola Road Branch Picture

Eola Road Branch

555 S. Eola Road.
Aurora, Illinois 60504

» Driving Directions
ph : 630-264-3400
fax: 630-898-5220

West Branch Picture

West Branch

233 S. Constitution Drive.
Aurora, Illinois 60506

» Driving Directions
ph : 630-264-3600
fax: 630-844-8695

Outreach Services Building

Express Center

1100 Church Road.
Aurora, Illinois 60505

» Driving Directions
ph : 630-723-2705
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