ANNUAL
REPORT JULY 1, 2025 - JUNE 30, 2026
A major focus of the year was advancing capital projects and community engagement. Construction of the Eola Road Branch renovation progressed substantially, while planning and community outreach efforts moved forward for the future West Branch renovation. Even during construction, library services remained available through Eola Express, our temporary branch that became a beloved resource for the community. We also continued finding new ways to make you feel welcome through expanded assistive devices available throughout our locations, the launch of a remote locker available 24/7 and a growing Library of Things collection designed to bring learning and discovery home. As we thought about the future, new artificial intelligence workshops helped residents understand emerging technologies, while open makerspace hours enhanced makerspace offerings, and our first Maker-in-Residence program provided hands-on experiences for community members of all ages. We also partnered with organizations throughout the community to deliver engaging programs and exhibits, including the Questioneers exhibit presented in collaboration with the DuPage Children's Museum. Together, these initiatives reinforced our commitment elevate the community through engagement, partnerships and communication.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Aurora Public Library District experienced a year of growth, transformation, and community impact during fiscal year 2025-2026. Guided by its strategic priorities of welcoming all, fostering innovation, and nurturing a thriving organization, the library continued to strengthen its role as a trusted community hub while preparing for the future through significant facility improvements, expanded services, and strong community partnerships.
Internally, APLD focused on staff development and organizational growth through new training opportunities, the creation of an AI committee, and peer learning groups. Together, these efforts helped ensure the library remains responsive to evolving community needs. Thank you for being part of another remarkable year at APLD. We are grateful for your support, your enthusiasm, and the many ways you make the library such a vibrant part of our community. We look forward to what the future brings and remain committed to making every library visit more welcoming, engaging, and enjoyable than the last.
Michaela Haberkern, Executive Director
Elevating Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Communication Throughout FY2026, APLD continued leveraging major capital projects as opportunities to strengthen community engagement and increase awareness of library services. Communication efforts surrounding both the Eola Road Branch renovation and the planning process for the future West Branch renovation generated significant community interest and participation. Public information sessions, presentations, and ongoing communications ensured residents remained informed and engaged throughout the planning and construction process. The library continued to strengthen community partnerships while finding new ways to demonstrate the value of library services. Through the Value of Your Library Card campaign, customers were invited to discover and share the money they saved by using their library cards, participate in interactive guessing games, and enter raffles for APLD-branded prizes. The campaign highlighted the educational, financial, and lifelong benefits of library use while laying the groundwork for future collaborations with local school districts.
HIGHLIGHTS
Reach Out and Welcome All
As a trusted community hub and civic educator, APLD also supported initiatives such as Aurora on the Fox and voter education efforts that encouraged community dialogue, civic participation, and informed decisionmaking. Together, these programs reinforced the library's role as a welcoming gathering place, a source of reliable information, and a catalyst for community engagement.
Cultivating Welcoming Spaces Facility improvements remained one of the organization's highest priorities. Construction at Eola Road Branch progressed substantially throughout FY2026, bringing the library closer to reopening a modernized facility designed to better serve community needs. Simultaneously, planning efforts advanced for the West Branch renovation, including community engagement sessions and design development with our architects Studio GC. The library also explored opportunities to make its physical spaces more welcoming and inclusive, including research into middle-school-focused spaces and services. Staff conducted surveys, toured peer libraries, and developed proposals to better support youth ages 8-11.
HIGHLIGHTS
Empower, Include, and Innovate
Connecting the Community to Evolving Services and Technologies Recognizing the growing impact of artificial intelligence, APLD expanded programming designed to help community members understand and effectively use AI tools. Throughout FY2026, staff offered multiple AI-focused workshops and began planning for ongoing educational opportunities related to emerging technologies. These programs helped residents explore practical uses of AI while reinforcing the library's role as a trusted source of information and technology education. The library continued to expand and strengthen its makerspace offerings throughout FY2026. Open makerspace hours were introduced, providing greater access to creative technologies and hands-on learning opportunities for the community. APLD also launched its first Maker-in-Residence program, welcoming a local Aurora educator who offered workshops, demonstrations, and one-on-one learning experiences. At the same time, planning progressed for the new Eola Road Makerspace, while preliminary work began to envision makerspace services as part of the future West Branch renovation. Building Belonging Through Collections and Programs APLD continued strengthening inclusivity and representation throughout its collections and programs. New Library of Things items and educational resources were added in Spanish, helping ensure services better reflected the needs of Aurora's diverse community. In addition, assistive devices including a mototrized scooter and walker among other devices were added to ensure customers have a comfortable experience at the library.
World language collections remained accessible throughout the Eola renovation project through redistribution efforts across locations. Staff also examined opportunities to expand intergenerational programming and explored new exhibit opportunities designed to engage customers of all ages. A partnership with DuPage Children's Museum helped bring new exhibit experiences to library customers while supporting lifelong learning and family engagement. Additional efforts included launching a formal donation drive process, cultivating new community partnerships, and streamlining library tours to create more meaningful opportunities for residents to connect with the library and discover the resources, services, and experiences available to them.
Fostering a Meaningful and Satisfying Work Environment Following the results of the previous staff engagement survey, leadership continued implementing initiatives focused on communication, staff growth, and workplace culture. A follow-up survey was conducted during FY2026 to measure progress and identify future opportunities for improvement. Efforts to expand public service staffing began in preparation for increased service demands and renovated facilities. Monthly staff appreciation efforts, National Library Week celebrations, and other recognition efforts reinforced APLD's commitment to fostering an engaged and supportive workplace culture.
HIGHLIGHTS
Nurture a Thriving Organization
Inspiring a Growth Mindset Discussions around embedding growth mindset principles and shared values into our workflows were strategized. APLD also launched a series of core staff trainings on emerging topics, including artificial intelligence, to help employees build the skills needed for a rapidly changing workplace. In addition, staff-led learning opportunities continued to flourish through peer learning groups such as the Spanish Conversation Group and Genealogy Learning Group, encouraging collaboration, professional development, and knowledge-sharing across the organization. Particular emphasis was placed on preparing staff for the increasing role of artificial intelligence in both library operations and customer service. During FY2026, an AI committee was formed, staff surveys were completed, training opportunities were identified, and the first system-wide AI training was delivered to employees. Work also continued on creating more structured project planning processes to support innovation, collaboration, and transparency across the organization.
STATISTICS
713,626 I T E M S C I R C U L A T E D 358,757 items Collection Size 287,433 e-Materials Circulated 159,278 e-materials Collection size
59,861
total attendees at APLD programs and events
2,143 programs offered
564,074 Visitors
583
Meeting Room Reservations 457 Santori Library, 126 West Branch
11,207
Study Room Reservations 9,338 Santori Library, 1,869 West Branch
1,459
Curbside Pickups | 1,044 Santori Library, 404 Eola Road Branch, 11 West Branch
351
Home Deliveries with 3,810 items delivered
1,124
Internet Sessions 32,716 Santori Library, 16,485 Eola Road Branch, 7,781 West Branch
7,133
New library cards
2,417
Makerspace Appointments
3,259
Database sessions
1,550
Notary Appointments
Questions Answered 41,200 Santori Library, 23,664 Eola Road Branch, 12,321 West Branch, 2,707 Outreach
226,026
605
682,343
1,603
Website Visitors
Website Visits
Questions submitted via website
Chats
1,767
Visits to our FAQ page
English Platforms
8,200 2,557
Facebook followers Instagram followers
Spanish Platforms
2,200 517
Facebook followers
Instagram followers
1,076 YouTube Subscribers
Most Popular Post
STATISTICS
79,892
$400,000+ Raised in charitable giving & in-kind donations.
$335,000+ Awarded in grants to APLD.
$650,000+ Investment accounts (Bookmobile & Branch Renovation Funds).
$5.4M+ Santori Fund balance.
2025/2026 Grant Awards & Programs Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Aurora Public Library Foundation awarded more than $335,000 in grants to the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) this year — funding that directly expands community access to learning, technology, and enrichment.
FOUNDATION
A Year in Review
Richard and Gina Santori Fund: $184,000 donated to advance the Fund's mission of enhancing library technology, with upgrades planned for the large meeting room and atrium at the downtown Santori Library. Branch Renovation Enrichment Fund: $100,000 donated to support a new low-sensory room and makerspace at the renovated Eola Road Branch. Comcast Grant for Digital Literacy: $15,000 donated in partnership with Comcast to expand digital skills training at Santori Library. The company also contributed 50 laptops to participants of the library’s digital education programming, in partnership with Family Focus Aurora. Questioneers Exhibit: Grant funding supported community awareness for APLD's first-ever interactive exhibit, developed in partnership with the Library's Children's Department and the DuPage Children's Museum. Rory's Reading Adventure Kits (Annual Gift):This program expands access to books and literacy resources for Aurora families, with a focus on bilingual resources and underserved communities. Light of Learning Scholarships(Annual Gift): This program helps residents of unincorporated Aurora gain full access to library cards and services.
Board Transitions: Farewell and Welcome The Aurora Public Library Foundation continues to draw strength from community members dedicated to advancing our purpose. This year, we bid a grateful farewell to two long-serving Board members, who now join our Emeritus Board in recognition of their years of service: Nisha Floyd — Woodforest Bank (former Foundation Board Treasurer) Christopher Bennett — Owner, CD Bennett Insurance Agency We were pleased to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors: Amanda Wolf — Dedicated Community Member Andrew Haas — GreenState Credit Union Spencer Brayton — Waubonsee Community College Alex Morales — Earthmovers Credit Union Additionally, Marcia Smith-Brown was nominated to serve as the Board's new Treasurer.
Fiscal year 2025–2026 marked the Foundation's 25th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Santori Library. Autumn Toast Donor Appreciation We welcomed 50 valued donors to Santori Library to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Aurora Public Library Foundation and the 10th anniversary of the Santori Library.
FOUNDATION
Donor & Community Events
Annual Winter Gala: It's A Wonderful Life — 25th Anniversary Celebration On December 6, 2026, the Aurora Public Library Foundation welcomed 185 library supporters and offered guests an unforgettable evening of elegance, connection, and celebration at the Paramount Theater's Meyer Ballroom. This year's Winter Gala, themed “It's A Wonderful Life,” raised more than $45,000 and honored Marilyn Wiesner with the Thomas J. Weisner Excellence in Educational Collaboration Award, Brigit Rueland with the Richard and Gina Santori Lifelong Learning Inspiration Award and Robin Shaff and Dara Nelson with the Kelly McCleary Community Service Award. National Library Week & Community Walk Fundraisers This year, the Aurora Public Library Foundation introduced a new fundraising effort during National Library Week in April, inviting the community to give back in three different ways: dining out at Chili's or Little Pop's Pizza, shopping for a cause at Yellow Bird Books, or purchasing a uniquely crafted "Old Books" scented candle from Inluro Candles. Each participating business generously donated a portion of the evening's proceeds to the Foundation. Together, these efforts raised more than $4,500 and gave Board members meaningful opportunities to connect with supporters across Aurora. The Foundation also hosted its Community Walk fundraiser along the Waubonsee Lake Trail near the Eola Road Branch. More than 75 families and individuals joined us to tour the ongoing Eola Road Branch renovations, learn about the upcoming West Branch renovation, and celebrate the Foundation's mission. This year's superhero-themed event featured appearances by Rory the Fox, superhero-inspired stretches, a kids' scavenger hunt, bubbles, sidewalk chalk art, and frisbee golf — with every participant receiving their very own superhero cape. The Community Walk raised more than $7,500.
From July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026, more than $400,000 was received in charitable giving and in-kind donations. As of June 30, 2026, the Aurora Public Library Foundation’s investment accounts (including the Bookmobile Fund and the Branch Renovation Fund) were slightly more than $$650,000.00. The Santori Fund was greater than $5.4 million.
The Aurora Public Library District's Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors and Staff thank you for another great year!