Ela Area Public Library
LocationIllinois, United States
Established1972
Collection
Size250,000 physical and electronic materials
Other information
Budget$6M
DirectorErica Christianson
Websiteeapl.org

Ela Area Public Library (EAPL) is a public library located near Lake Zurich, Illinois, United States.[1] Its collection consists of manuscripts, periodicals and books. It has over 190,000 physical items and almost 60,000 e-materials available for checkout.[2] It serves the informational and educational needs of its members.[3]

Library history

Located in Lake Zurich, Illinois, the library was initially established in 1972 within the basement of St. Francis de Sales Church, covering an area of 3,000 square feet. The first dedicated building was constructed in 1981. Following a 1999 referendum approving a new 70,000 square foot building, the library began operating out of its current 275 Mohawk Trail building in 2002. The current building underwent significant renovations in 2014 and 2023.[4]

The library is named for its service area of Ela Township, which was in turn named after George Ela, an early settler of the area.[5]

The library received a 5-star rating from Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service in 2022.[6] It has ranked among the best public libraries in Illinois for the past 10 years.[7]

The current Executive Director, Erica Christianson, was appointed in October 2023.[8]

Strategic plan

The library engages in a strategic planning process every three years to using demographic data, analysis from the Board of Trustees, and input from the library staff.[1][3][4]

Services

The Ela Area Public Library offers a variety of services to its members, including access to books, media, and other resources; events and programs for all ages; and access to technology and other tools.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "About the Library | Ela Area Public Library". www.eapl.org. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  2. ↑ "Statistical Dashboard | Ela Area Public Library". www.eapl.org. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  3. 1 2 "Ela Area Public Library District – Ela Area Public Library District". librarytechnology.org. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  4. 1 2 "Ela Library Receives Certificate of Recognition from the State of Illinois". Daily Herald. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  5. ↑ Callary, Edward (2010-10-01). Place Names of Illinois. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-09070-7.
  6. ↑ "2022 Star Libraries By the Numbers | LJ Index 2022". Library Journal. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  7. ↑ "5-Star Library Story | Ela Area Public Library". www.eapl.org. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  8. ↑ Stern, Valerie (2023-10-19). "Ela Area Public Library Welcomes New Director Erica Christianson". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  9. ↑ "Home | Ela Area Public Library". www.eapl.org. Retrieved 2023-07-25.

42°11′41″N 88°5′19″W / 42.19472°N 88.08861°W / 42.19472; -88.08861

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