2025
I IMPACT REPORT M s t h P g i e H n o t g n i l r A C T
LAKE COOK ROAD
Library Access in the Community RA
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ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ROAD
We’re all around town
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PALATINE RD.
Main Library RT
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112 N. Belmont Ave.
Senior Center Reading Room
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ROAD
Makerplace
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WILKE ROAD
500 N. Dunton Ave.
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EUCLID AVE.
27 stops, all over town
24/7 Pickup Lockers • Main Library • Camelot Park • Heritage Park
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Main Library Makerplace
1801 W. Central Rd.
Bookmobile
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GOLF ROAD
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CENTRAL RD.
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Mission The Arlington Heights Memorial Library connects our community with information, entertainment, education, opportunities for personal growth and cultural engagement.
Values Unparalleled Customer Service Free and Equal Access Diversity and Inclusion Fiscal Responsibility A Focus on Arlington Heights Connection Our Commitment to Staff
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Stories of Impact
Pickup Locker Services Expand
Paint & Sip Paint & Sip “I love the 20s and 30s programs being offered! I’ve enjoyed the different themes so far.”
Providing New Ways for Emerging Adults to Engage
The library introduced a new series of programs designed to engage adults in their 20s and 30s, creating welcoming opportunities for connection, creativity and community. A mix of social, hands-on and nostalgia-driven experiences including ’90s and 2000s TV Trivia Night, Paint & Sip & Pie and Jackbox Games Night engaged 239 participants across 13 programs, reflecting strong interest.
The library expanded pickup locker services to Camelot and Heritage Parks providing around-the-clock access to materials on the north and south side of Arlington Heights. Supported by Gallagher Insurance and Murphy Security Solutions, this removes barriers such as limited transportation and busy schedules, allowing customers to retrieve items when and where it is most convenient. In 2025, more than 7,700 items were delivered to the pickup lockers.
Bridge Builders Strengthens Intergeneration Connection
Bridge Builders, a six-week Summer Volunteer Squad initiative, paired teens with homebound older adults for weekly phone conversations. Participants shared stories about music, travel and favorite memories. What began as a summer project for local teens quickly grew into lasting relationships, with many participants expressing a desire to continue. As one older adult shared, “We are family now.”
“The AI program was super informative and directly relevant to work in my new job.”
Civic Engagement Reaches Residents In-Person & Online
In partnership with the League of Women Voters, the library hosted two candidate forums ahead of the April election, welcoming 180 attendees in-person and reaching more than 1,800 viewers through recorded sessions. Survey results showed respondents felt better prepared to vote. The library also partnered with local elected officials to host an in-person Mobile DMV event, bringing vital government services, including Real ID processing, to residents.
Helping the Community Navigate Artificial Intelligence
The library expanded its artificial intelligence (AI) programming to meet growing community interest. In addition to the popular “What is Artificial Intelligence?” class, the library introduced new AI-focused programs where customers learned practical ways to use AI, strategies for navigating information and a hands-on class taught by a teen customer where tweens learned to code a game in AI. These programs helped customers build digital literacy skills, better understand the opportunities and limitations of AI and confidently use emerging technologies in their everyday lives.
Reading Program Participation Increases
More than 3,600 young readers, from babies to teens, joined the youth summer reading program, with 42% completing 30 days of reading, a significant increase from the previous year. The youth winter reading program also saw strong engagement, with 1,032 participants, a 33% increase over the previous year.
3,600
The new adult Minutes of Summer program collectively tracked an impressive 792,714 minutes of reading among adults, far surpassing the original goal of 250,000.
READERS
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Stories of Impact Adding Offerings for Cardholders
The library continued to expand its collection beyond books and media by adding innovative items including Yoto Players and Yoto Cards, cognitive health kits, children's backpacks, additional puzzles and three Seestar S50 smart telescopes. A social media video highlighting the telescope reached more than 13,600 views and generated more than 30 holds, demonstrating strong community interest in the library's growing collection of unique items available for checkout.
Connecting the Community with Economic Resources
IDES Job Fair
The Library’s Biggest Outreach Month of the Year
Staff brought library services to many places in the community throughout 2025 including Heritage Fest, the Trickster Cultural Center in neighboring Schaumburg, Forest View Educational Center and more. In total, library staff connected with over 1,000 individuals in August alone, meeting people where they are. By showing up at cultural celebrations and back-to-school events, the library continues to play a vital role in helping families start the school year on the right foot while celebrating the rich diversity of cultures in the community.
The library partnered with the Illinois Department of Employment Security to host a job fair that attracted more than 100 attendees, resulting in 187 resumes distributed, 43 on-site interviews, 39 follow-up interviews and 27 confirmed job offers. In partnership with the Illinois State Treasurer’s ICash program, customers reclaimed more than $93,000 in unclaimed property. Through the library’s tax preparation assistance program, in partnership with AARP, 668 appointments were completed, a 15% increase over the previous year and the highest participation since the program began.
Bringing People Together Through Shared Experiences
The annual One Book, One Village program brought the community together around The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis. It was checked out more than 1,600 times and more than 1,000 attendees participated in discussions and programs. The program culminated in a live author event, drawing 350 attendees in person and many more online. FanCon drew more than 900 attendees for a day of fandom, storytelling and imaginative play while the LEGO® Train Exhibit delighted nearly 1,980 visitors across generations.
“We always enjoy the diverse offerings at AHML. They are always informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking.”
The library also partnered with artist and activist Shannon Downey to present Community & Craftivism, an exhibit demonstrating how creative expression can inspire connection and meaningful change. More than 279 community members contributed to the exhibit including a Pride Community Quilt. The exhibit also featured panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt, the Welcome Blanket Project and other nationally recognized initiatives.
Expanding Accessibility at the Library & Makerplace
The library introduced accessibility improvements including a powered, height-adjustable universal changing table for all ages in the second-floor all-gender accessible restroom, a portable low-vision reader/scanner that enables customers with visual impairments to access printed materials through magnified text or audio playback, and new scan and fax stations with larger displays, narration and magnification features, supported in more than 25 languages. Accessibility improvements at the Makerplace included a swiveling demonstration screen, retractable quilt wall, accessible power outlets and enhanced lighting. Practical innovations, such as 3D-printed extension handles for carts and cane holders throughout the Makerplace, help ensure that tools and spaces can work for everyone.
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Stories of Impact Creating Meaningful Experiences for Families
KPop Demon Hunters party
The library hosted its inaugural Baby Prom, welcoming more than 160 babies, toddlers and caregivers for music, movement, sensory activities and opportunities for caregivers to connect with one another. Seasonal and pop culture-inspired events also drew enthusiastic participation including more than 600 attendees at Halloween Fun and more than 400 attendees at the KPop Demon Hunters Party, underscoring the library’s ability to connect in relevant, exciting ways. Nearly 400 children and caregivers celebrated the annual Noon Year's Party, offering families all the excitement of a New Year's countdown in a daytime, family-friendly setting.
Supporting Residents’ Physical & Mental Health
The library introduced cognitive health kits, developed with Rush University, to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Each kit incorporates tools that promote cognitive stimulation, memory recall and emotional connection including puzzles, hands-on activities, games and music players preloaded with songs from meaningful time periods. Over 115 community members attended the Mental Health Fair and interacted with 24 organizations serving various areas of mental health needs. Youth programming included initiatives such as the Period Party, which welcomed 40 participants for an engaging and informative experience centered on menstrual health. In addition, the Village of Arlington Heights social worker met with more than 80 individuals at the library, connecting residents with health and support services.
“Wow! The library is incredible. I never knew it had so much to offer!”
Engaging Older Adults
The library’s Creative Aging program continued to bring adults together through shared artistic exploration. The Art with Alayne Artists’ Celebration Reception marked a powerful culmination of this effort, honoring 31 participants whose artwork on display reflected not only their creativity, but also a community cultivated over time. What began in 2017 as an in-person class evolved into a virtual lifeline during the pandemic. This year’s in-person celebration provided a meaningful moment of reconnection, as many participants met one another, and instructor Alayne McNulty, face-to-face for the first time after years of virtual collaboration. One participant described the experience like “coming home to a community that has supported me since 2020.” The library also strengthened partnerships with local senior living communities. A tour hosted for residents and staff from Lutheran Home welcomed visitors to explore the library’s spaces and resources firsthand. The visit emphasized discovery and joy across generations, as participants delighted in hands-on experiences in Kids’ World, including the Everbright wall and interactive floor.
Group of Regular Library Users Find Community & Connection
For some residents, the library became a gateway to lasting friendships. One group of regular users, ranging from early retirees to newcomers, first met through programs like Speed Friending and book discussions. Over time, they formed their own social circle, continuing to attend library programs together, from literary events to Makerplace classes. Their story shows how the library not only brings people together but helps build enduring relationships rooted in shared interests.
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Stories of Impact
Inclusion Continues to Be a Priority
The eighth annual Inclusion Awareness Month drew nearly 200 participants to a series of programs designed for both adults and youth. In partnership with organizations such as Northwest Special Recreation Association, Clearbrook and The Chicago Lighthouse, the library facilitated experiences ranging from social and recreational events to workshops and resource connections. Participants from Have Dreams Academy, a workforce training program for adults with high-functioning autism, visited the library to learn about the library’s hiring process, receive job search tips and participate in practice job interviews at the library. Students from Buffalo Grove High School’s Career Life Skills program, a program providing students with cognitive delays an opportunity for academic, vocational and social growth, spent time in the library’s teen space, building confidence with library resources.
Buffalo Grove High School’s Career Life Skills
Makerplace Sees Record-Breaking Use The Makerplace recorded its busiest December ever and the second-highest month of equipment use on record. More than 1,500 visitors explored the space, with staff responding to over 1,800 reference questions. Projects ranged from custom gifts to intricate fabrications, including extensive embroidery, 3D printing and sticker production, with 94 new users gaining independent access to equipment.
Local Influencers Share Books & Movies of Impact
A year-long display on the library's first floor showcased books and movies that inspired 24 local community influencers including former Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes, State Representative Mary Beth Canty and Good Neighbors Network Founder Yeulanda Degala. The display invited customers to discover titles that shaped local voices while exploring the library's collection in a new way. Featuring more than 150 recommended books and movies, the initiative generated over 3,500 checkouts.
Commitment to Providing ESL & Literacy Programs
Thousands of residents from a wide range of cultures turn to the library each year to strengthen their English-language skills. More than 6,000 participants attended 570 English as a Second Language and literacy programs including a new, five-part writing workshop and a guided outing to a local café where students practiced reading menus, ordering food and conversing in English. These personalized and group learning experiences created a supportive environment where students practiced language skills, “I’m deeply grateful built relationships to the amazing and gained teachers at AHML confidence.
for providing excellent lessons.”
Honoring Volunteers & Celebrating Years of Impact The library celebrated 45 years of volunteer service and honored the extraordinary contributions of its current volunteers, whose time, talent and dedication continue to shape the library’s impact across the community. More than 500 volunteers contributed an impressive 24,527 hours of service over the past year, supporting everything from programs and outreach, teaching English to newcomers and delivering materials to homebound older adults.
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By the Numbers
programs 99,836
attendees
Collection
Community Population Served
1,620,651 Physical & Digital Materials
77,676
Library Cards
Arlington Heights Active residents that cardholders are cardholders
79%
3,245
61,505
Visitors
580,751 Bookmobile 25,860 Makerplace 18,291
Main Library
Senior Center Reading Room 19,766
155,860
Reference Questions 8,003 Answered Library Delivery 66,245 Service Items Public Computer Use Delivered
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9,306
Services
One-on-one Appointments
1,201
2,165
3D Prints Completed
Museum & Attraction Passes Issued
Popular in the Community Adult Fiction Books The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Teen Books Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Adult Nonfiction Books
Kids Books
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions Of People Can't Stop Talking About by Mel Robbins
What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring Of Childhood Is Causing An Epidemic Of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
Library of Things Items Hotspot Flash Drive USB Dual Drive
Board of Trustees Amy Somary, President Jennifer Borrell, Vice President/Secretary Sarah Galla, Treasurer Stacey Kelly
Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney
Darnell McClaney
A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee
Carole Medal
Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems
Online Resources
Barbara Watts
Executive Director
Daily Herald
Mike Driskell
New York Times
Deputy Director
ConsumerReports.Org Ancestry Library Edition Chicago Sun-Times
Makerplace Equipment Epilog Fusion Edge 24 Laser Cutter
Dana Revilla
Communications & Marketing Director Sasha Vasilic
Writers
Brother Sewing Machine
April Harder
Cricut Maker
Sasha Vasilic
Flat Heat Press Dremel LC40 Laser Cutter
Designer Brian Benson