From its beginning the library has contributed to the community with comprehensive collections and innovative programs. In turn, the people of the district have supported the library not only financially, but also by their high use of the library and by their contributions as Friends, volunteers, and Trustees.

In August, 1949, the Lake Villa Community Men's Club offered to equip and maintain a public library for village residents at no cost to the village. The east room on the first floor of the Lake Villa Village Hall was provided for use as a library for five years. The Men's Club provided books, heat, and janitorial services. Volunteers operated the library until 1953.

In a special election in 1952 the community voted 99 to 52 to create a tax-supported township library. The operating budget for the first full year was $3,000.00. Lois Kerr was hired as the librarian for 20 hours per week at $1.25 per hour.

The library moved to 117 Cedar Ave. in downtown Lake Villa in 1957. Virginia Belke Welty was appointed librarian. She served until 1964 when Barbara Konitzer was hired. The library was open 30 hours per week.

During Mrs. Konitzer's tenure the library grew in collections, staffing, and services. A building fund was created in 1965. By 1970 the store front facility was so crowded that a portable classroom was added to house the adult fiction collection, audiovisual materials, study tables, and the librarian's office.

In 1973 the citizens of the township voted 542-210 to change from a township to a district library. The Lake Villa District Library joined the North Suburban Library System in 1976. The need for a larger facility was evident. From December, 1968, to July, 1976, the library board considered 9 different sites for a permanent library. A referendum vote in September, 1976, was defeated. An alternate site was considered: parcels from John Gridley and Oliver Wilton on Grand Avenue at Deep Lake Road. The Friends of the Library were organized to gain citizen support for a second referendum. The election, in September, 1977, was a success.

The new library was dedicated on May 4, 1980. The building had 10,800 square feet which included a public meeting room. The collection had 29,000 items, both books and audiovisual materials, and annual circulation was 88,000. The budget was $103,000. There were 8 employees. Library checkout was by computer, which was very innovative at the time.

Mrs. Konitzer retired in 1984. She was succeeded by Mary Jane Kepner, who served until 1987. Barbara Elmore was then appointed library director. Library use and support grew significantly under Mrs. Elmore. In April, 1989, a referendum to increase the tax rate was defeated, forcing the library to reduce its hours and slash the book budget by half. That November the voters approved the tax levy increase. Hours were reinstated and purchasing resumed. By 1993 the library owned 74,000 items, annual circulation of
292,000, and 20 staff members. The budget was $926,000.

The library board commissioned a space needs study in 1990 and in 1991 they approved the first design for an addition to the building. In April, 1993, a $6.5 million referendum for a 30,000 square foot addition was defeated 1965-2928. The administrative offices and the meeting room moved to a double-wide trailer so that those spaces could be used to ease the space crunch.

In April, 1996, the voters approved $3.75 million for a 20,000 square foot addition to the building and $1 million for technology and library materials. The vote was 3,495 yes and 2,224 no. Ground was broken for the addition on June 24, 1997. The library was "taken to the Maxx" during the year-long construction project when it operated from a former T.J. Maxx store at the Round Lake Commons Shopping Center.

Mrs. Elmore retired March 20, 1998. The Board of Trustees appointed Nann Blaine Hilyard as director. She began March 23. The new library was dedicated on September 13, 1998.

Bob Watson was appointed director in October 2003 after 21 years at the Franklin Park Public Library.

In 2005, the Lake Villa District Library had an operating budget of $3.7 million. Annual circulation was 863,000 items -- books, movies, magazines, music, audiobooks, and software.

The library is proud of its technological advancements. It now offers wireless access and downloadable audiobooks. Internet computer terminals are used over 2800 times per month. Though the facility has changed and the array of formats has expanded, the library continues to provide personal, efficient, and friendly service so that people can get the information they need to make their lives better.