The Homewood Public Library got a second chance to celebrate its 100th anniversary when state Rep. Will Davis presented staff with a proclamation from the Illinois House of Representatives.
Davis, D-Homewood, delivered the proclamation to the library board at its June 18 meeting. The proclamation was approved by the Illinois House on Jan. 5. It will be on display in the library.
The library hosted a special party in 2024 to mark the beginning of the library. It was organized by the Homewood Women’s Club in 1924. The library’s first home was in a room in a real estate office.
In 1925, the group gave $1,500 to move an abandoned Illinois Central train station to a suitable location and make improvements to the building so it could serve as a library. That building sat on the triangular piece of land that borders Dixie Highway and Harwood Avenue.
In 1960, residents of Homewood approved a referendum for a new library at 17900 Dixie Highway. The building today is owned by the village. Plans are to demolish the building to make way for a new water tower on the site.
As the community grew, the library was again considered too small for its needs. The library got its fourth home at 17917 Dixie Highway after residents agreed through a 1987 referendum to support a new library. The building opened in 1990 and serves patrons today.
