IMPACT REPORT
Arlington Heights Memorial
Library Access in the Community
Main Library
Makerplace
Senior Center
Reading Room
Bookmobile Stops
Pickup Lockers
We’re all around town
Main Library
Senior Center
Reading Room
Mission
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library ful lls the knowledge, information, enrichment, entertainment and cultural engagement needs of our community members
Values
Unparalleled Customer Service Free and Equal Access Diversity and Inclusion
Fiscal Responsibility A Focus on Arlington Heights
Makerplace
We are excited to share what makes the Arlington Heights Memorial Library such a success story. The library’s success is not defined solely by numbers, but by the voices, stories and support of the people who walk through the doors, engage in programs and share their experiences with us every day.
On the Same Page
True to the theme of this message, it takes many individuals and organizations working together to create something truly special. From the dedicated Board of Library Trustees and exceptional staff to the generous volunteers including the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation — each plays a vital role in helping the library fulfill its mission. We are united by a shared commitment to make the library one of the most accessible, welcoming and valuable resources in Arlington Heights.
Since 1926, the library has supported lifelong learning, creativity and exploration. As you read through the many positive ways the library helped build, impact and engage the community in 2024, we hope you see yourself — through a program that inspired you, a community service project you completed or a new skill you learned through a one-on-one appointment.
Lifelong learning, creativity and exploration
Whether you are browsing the shelves at the library, making and sharing with others at the Makerplace, enjoying a quiet moment in the Senior Center Reading Room or visiting the bookmobile in your neighborhood, we invite you to discover something new at your Arlington Heights Memorial Library. We believe the library is an extraordinary part of the community — and we hope you do, too.
Mike Driskell Executive Director Amy Somary Board President
Community Building
Solar Eclipse Party, FanCon reached a huge audience
The library continued fostering community connections and creating memorable experiences for all ages including hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at North School Park that brought together over 700 community members, and welcoming more than 1,000 attendees to FanCon, the library’s annual pop culture event.
"It's so nice to share in the experience with so many people.”
Makerplace celebrated three years of making and sharing
The Makerplace continued to provide a space for the community to make, grow their skills and share with other creatives in a community setting. More than 18,000 people visited the Makerplace in 2024, up over 15% from 2023. Community members connected with each other at meetups such as the Fiber Crafts Meetup and the Maker Show and Tell.
Virtual and in-person events brought readers together
Community members with a shared passion for literature and creative writing took part in the annual One Book, One Village community read, which featured 20 programs and a live author event with more than 250 attendees, virtual events through Illinois Libraries Present, Writer’s Ink meetups and annual Lit Stroll, which attracted more than 170 attendees.
One Book, One Village
Popular program for seniors celebrated 35th year
YEARS
The Arlington Heights Senior Center Current Events group hosted by the library’s Senior & Accessible Services department positively impacted the senior community as participants shared that the group is not just a place to discuss, but also to connect with others and ponder other points of view.
“That is what the Makerplace is doing...bringing people together who would never meet in their normal everyday life.”
MUSICALE
Sunday Musicale attendance reached 10-year high
The library brought music lovers of all ages in the community together through Sunday Musicale, a Friends of the Library-sponsored program featuring a diverse selection of musicians and performances. In 2024, Sunday Musicale saw its highest attendance rate in 10 years with a total of 1,630 attendees.
“Events like these make me proud to be an AHML member.”
Bringing the business community together to network
Whether someone is the owner of a small business in Arlington Heights or a leader at a nonprofit company, the library provided a space for those in the business community to learn from each other's experiences and network through programs like Small Business Coffee and Connect and The Nonprofit Exchange.
Community Impact
Kids' World makeover is a hit
“We love the new tween space. My son asks to come to the library all the time!”
In early 2024, the new and improved Kids’ World officially opened to the public with lots of positive feedback. Early learners, beginning readers and tweens can now explore their dedicated spaces as well as the family zone with interactive elements funded by the Friends of the Library and the Library Foundation.
Arlington Heights gave back through service projects
Community members participated in service projects through the library from preparing more than 400 meals in the Makerplace Kitchen for the PADS Community Meal Prep to creating dog and cat toys for The Buddy Foundation during Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
ESL services committed to greater accessibility
AHML is the only library in the area that offers English as a Second Language (ESL) programs six days a week to better serve the community. Over 7,000 participants attended more than 600 programs, and the ESL & Literacy Services team held 5,144 hour-long one-on-one tutoring sessions in 2024.
Blood drives and book drives continued
Community members participated in drives at the library that benefited the community. More than 135 units of blood were donated, helping save over 400 lives at five blood drives, and more than 740 books were gifted for the annual book drive benefiting the Wheeling Township Adopt-a-Family program.
Library fairs identified employment, volunteer opportunities
Volunteer, internship and job opportunities were made available for community members ranging from teens to adults, with more than 600 attendees in total at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Job Fair, Teen Job Fair and Volunteer Fair. These fairs led to on-site interviews, job offers and more.
Library’s commitment to inclusion had a positive impact
The library hosted one-on-one interview skills sessions for autistic individuals, life skills classes for students and their adult aides and Tinker Days at Forest View Educational Center for the younger special needs community. Program attendance increased during Inclusion Awareness Month in October, and the library’s Accessible Support Collection continued to grow and adapt to the needs of the community.
“I appreciate the support in my job search. Your services are truly valued.”
New 24/7 pickup lockers expanded access to library material
The library’s new 24/7 Hold Pickup Lockers offer customers a convenient location to pick up items any time. Since its launch, more than 2,900 items have been checked out via the lockers. These lockers were generously funded by Gallagher Insurance through a donation to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation.
Summer Volunteer Squad made meaningful contribution
Over 130 teens in grades 7-12 gave back in 2024 through the library’s Summer Volunteer Squad program. They clocked around 1,360 service hours in June and July, presented 12 library programs and completed other projects to support the library and community.
Community Engagement
Library continued to build partnerships
The library collaborated with hundreds of partners in Arlington Heights and in the Chicagoland area to deliver impactful programs and resources for all ages. Highlights include a new Village Social Worker in the Library monthly program, the annual District 25 Student Art Show, hosting the Chicago
Engaging with the community outside the library walls
From multicultural events like the Misión San Juan Diego Festival to school visits and community festivals like National Night Out, library staff connected with thousands of community members outside the library walls. New in 2024, library staff engaged with more than 300 attendees at the OMNI backpack event and over 900 attendees at Harper College’s eclipse viewing party.
More than just a library on wheels
Since 1973, the bookmobile has been providing access to library materials throughout the community. The bookmobile makes 27 biweekly stops including senior living centers and 70 seasonal stops at community events and more. Throughout 2024, more than 25,000 people visited the bookmobile, up 5.8% from last year, and more than 51,000 materials were
“We love going to the bookmobile every other Friday at their Greenbrier stop. Very friendly staff!”
“It’s important for everyone to know about the celebrations of our neighbors.”
Popular local history series engaged community
The library’s Local History Landmark Series continued to be a success with five programs bringing together 180 community members. One of the most attended programs was about Arlington Field where 75 German POWs were interned during World War II.
Ravinia
New partnership with Ravinia Festival
The library launched a new partnership with the Ravinia Festival to offer free lawn concert tickets, which received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Arlington Heights community.
Heritage and awareness months were recognized with 66 programs as well as booklists and displays for Black History Month, Women’s History Month and more. Programs created opportunities for partnerships with organizations such as Trickster Cultural Center and led to events such as Heritage Fest and a Día de los Muertos Ofrenda exhibit.
Ofrenda
By the Numbers
visitors
613,127 Main Library visitors
25,781 Bookmobile visitors Up 5.8% from last year
1 8,248 Makerplace visitors
Up 15.1% from last year
15,324 Senior Center Reading Room visitors
Up 22.7% from last year
Public computer use 64,708
Up 11.4% from last year
3,097 Up 5.8% from last year Library program
85,376 Up 10.5% from last year
Volunteers
543 volunteers Up 10.7% from last year
24,380 volunteer hours donated Up 3% from last year
Active Cardholders
64,972
Up 3.4% from last year
82% of Arlington Heights residents are cardholders
162,406 Reference questions answered
Up 9.5% from last year
One-on-one appointments
8,378 Includes resume reviews, ESL tutoring, tech help and more
Total checkouts 1,652,37 1
Up 2 .9% from last year with an increase of 29% in electronic material checkouts
733 Museum and attraction passes issued
Up 11.3% from last year
Library delivery services/items delivered 7,636
Popular in the Community
Adult Fiction Books
The Collected Regrets of Clover, Mikki Brammer
2024 One Book, One Village Selection
The Women, Kristin Hannah
The Exchange: After the Firm, John Grisham
Adult Nonfiction Books
The Woman in Me, Britney Spears
Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning, Liz Cheney
The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War, Erik Larson
Library of Things Items
Roku Sticks
Car Scanner OBCII
Radon Detector
eBooks
The Women, Kristin Hannah
The Exchange: After the Firm, John Grisham
Funny Story, Emily Henry
Online Resources
New York Times via NYTimes.com
Consumer Reports
Chicago Sun-Times via Newsbank
Makerplace Equipment
Laser Cutter
Sewing Machine
Flat Heat Press
Awards & Recognition
Throughout 2024, the library received top recognition from various organizations:
Chicago Parent
One of the Best Chicagoland Libraries
C.I.T.Y. (Children in Therapy and You) of Support Inclusion Award
Daily Herald's 2024 Readers' Choice Best of the Best for #1 Library
Intergovernmental Cooperation Award with the Arlington Heights Park District
Family Place Library Certification
2024 Governing Board
Amy Somary, President
Andi Ruhl, Vice President/Secretary
Sarah Galla, Treasurer
Jennifer Borrell
Stacey Kelly
Carole Medal
Greg Zyck
Facilities
Main Library • 500 N. Dunton Ave.
Makerplace • 112 N. Belmont Ave.
Senior Center Reading Room • 1801 W. Central Rd.
Library Bookmobile