About Us

Our Mission

The Melrose Park Public Library focuses on meeting the educational, informational, and cultural needs of the racially and economically diverse community of Melrose Park, Illinois.

Our Vision

The Melrose Park Public Library serves as an active, welcoming, and relevant social and technological hub for the acquisition and the exchange of knowledge for community members of all ages.

Our Strategic Plan

The Melrose Park Public Library has adopted a Strategic Plan to meet our mission. Click here to view the complete 2021-2024 Strategic Plan (PDF).

Library History

Dr. P. B. Kionka founded the Melrose Park Public Library on August 16th, 1897. Kionka was also the first library Board President. The Library officially opened in Village Hall (located on 17th Ave. & Lake St.) on January 15th, 1898 with 424 books. The library was only open to the public on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Eventually, the library was relocated above the old Melrose Park firehouse in the 1940s. The old Melrose Park firehouse was located on 18th Ave. 

In 1970, the old post office building was converted into the library. On October 10th, 1971, the library reopened to the public. The Melrose Park Public Library is located on 801 N. Broadway (also known as 19th Ave.).