Library

n 1875, a library association was formed to create a new library. It was housed in various locations until 1910, when the Amboy Women’s Club rented rooms on the second floor of the Green Building for use as a public library.

Within a year, though, the library outgrew its space, so it moved again to the Vaughan Building over Whonke’s Drug Store. To maintain the library, an annual fee of $1 was charged to each adult and 25 cents to each child patron.

By 1922, the library had 2,800 volumes.

In 1928, James W. Pankhurst, a prominent farmer in the area, donated money for a new library to serve as a lasting memorial to himself. W.F. Remsburg was hired to build MORE this first permanent library in Amboy. The new library, named Pankhurst Memorial INFO Library, was dedicated May 27, 1929, with the Women’s Club presenting all of the books from the old library to the new one. Pankhurt The first borrower’s card went to

Memorial Library Pankhurst when the library opened July 6, 1929. 3 S. Jefferson Ave. That day, 93 people registered for cards and 115

Contact: 815-857-3925 books were checked out. or pmlamboy@gmail.com By the end of the library’s first fiscal year on

Online: amboy.lib.il.us and on Facebook May 9, 1930, the library had 508 registered borrowers and a collection of 2,756 volumes, including 2,061 adult books, 695 children’s books and Hours: nine newspapers and magazines. 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Today, about a third of Amboy residents

Monday & Wednesday; have a library card, and the library has more 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday & than 23,500 volumes. The library also offers an Thursday; online e-book service. Its mission, according to 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday & Saturday its website, is "to select, acquire, organize and preserve books and other materials of contemporary interest and permanent value for the education, enjoyment and intellectual stimulation of the entire community. The Library also strives to guide young people toward a love of reading and an awareness of books and other library materials as a means of satisfying their needs and interests."

Library cards are free for people who live within the city limits and are good for 3 years. For those outside the city limits, cards are $50 for 1 year.

The Women’s Club now is the Amboy Civic Organization, but it continues to support the library through fundraising efforts.

Pankhurst Memorial Library has been updated with a ramp and elevator to make it accessible to the disabled.

Services to patrons include interlibrary loans, online e-book loans, programs and events for all ages, a copier and fax machine, DVD's, and a meeting room. Get To Know Us: Amboy | 2022-23 22