Orland Park Public Library

Founded in 1937 by the Orland Park Women's club and moving through various locations over the years, Orland Park Public Library serves the residents of Orland Park. Nonresident cards may be acquired for a fee or from programs associated with the Illinois Cards For Kids Act which allows for students who participate in Free or reduced federal lunch programs to receive cards.¹ The library has various services, including study sessions, youth clubs, adult clubs, tech sessions, and much more. Information for specific programs, services, and card registration can be found on https://www.orlandparklibrary.org/ or in person with a librarian which is always on duty.

While the current library is in a state-of-the-art facility, Orland Park Public Library was founded when the population of the town had not yet even broke one thousand residents.² A Mr. Roy Loebe donated the Purple Candle building for use by the Orland Park Women's Club. Throughout the years, the library relied primarily on the community for operations to proceed. After the suburbanization boom in the 50s and 60s which increased the size of the town, buildings changed multiple times to accommodate the increased size of operations. With the size of Orland Park only continuing to grow, the library's Board of Trustees looked for a permanent solution in a state-of-the-art facility large enough to support operations for the nearly sixty thousand current residents.³ Awarded for its stylish and modern design, the current library which stands at an impressive 94,000 square foot building is located only blocks away from Village Hall. The village has allowed funding for the library to undergo various renovations to provide numerous services and a place primarily for kids and teenagers to have a safe space to read books, hang out with friends, and even play games on gaming computers.

The services of Orland Park public library goes much further than books alone. Grants and donations have allowed for the library to hold multiple events for youth community partnership, classes for adults on various topics, and exhibits. With the newest renovations that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the library focused on creating places for children and teenagers to socialize and have fun.⁴ The new "Teen loft" offers a place with multiple study pods, areas for arts and crafts, gaming rooms, and TVs to relax and watch some movies from the library's archive or other shows using the library's streaming devices. Similar to the Teen Loft, middle grades have a dedicated section, as well as a youth section that has handheld toys, train sets, and basic technology like iPads. With the rise for demand of internet connected devices, the library has also been equipped with numerous computers available for use with a library card. All computers have basic software like Microsoft Office so that patrons can complete their work should they need the access to it. If requested, members can use their library card to check out iPads, and Chromebook with access to hotspots.

With renovations and technology updates coming to an end in 2021, no future plans have been established other than the annual "strategic plan" for years 2021-2022. While no future plans to renovate or update technology have been established in a 5-10 year plan, the village has allocated funds in order to hold community events everyday, with the exception of holidays. For example, as of time of writing, there are 5 events planned on November 14, 2022. Clubs, groups, and volunteer programs meet regularly to create trinkets, information sessions, learn basic programming and HTML coding, book discussions, and leisure activities such as holding seasonal inspired arts and crafts and holiday events.⁵ For more information about current events that will be held, visit https://orlandpark.librarycalendar.com/events/month to join a community event.

¹ Short, Joshua. “My Turn: The Cards for Kids Program and Shame.” ILA, March 1, 2022. https://www.ila.org/publications/ila-reporter/article/162/my-turn-the-cards-for-kids-program-and-shame#:~:text=The%20Illinois%20Cards%20for%20Kids,live%20in%20an%20unserved%20area.

² “Village of Orland Park History.” Founding, Timeline, and Milestones, September 9, 2022. https://www.zippia.com/village-of-orland-park-careers-1419490/history/. 

³ United States Government Census Bureau . “U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts: Orland Park Village, Illinois,” July 1, 2021. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/orlandparkvillageillinois/POP060210.

⁴ Boyd, Jackie. “Orland Park Public Library Renovation Project Is Complete.” RAILS, January 15, 2021. https://www.railslibraries.info/news/240800. 

⁵ Library Board of Trustees. “OPPL Strategic Plan 2021-2022.” In Strategic Plan 2021-2022. Orland Park: OPPL, 2020. https://www.orlandparklibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/strategicPlan-2021-2022.pdf.