ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 16, 2000 CONTACT: Dave Druker or CONTACT: Randy Nehrt

Secretary White to Lead State Library Anniversary Celebration

SPRINGFIELD –– Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White will join library leaders, guests and staff of the Illinois State Library on Tuesday, June 20, 2000 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the State Library Building at Second and Capital streets in Springfield.

"We are very proud of the services, programs and technology provided by the Illinois State Library. We are also extremely proud of this amazing building that houses our states outstanding collection," said White.

The anniversary program will begin at 12 noon in the library atrium. The celebration will feature remarks by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, greetings from Carolyn Anthony, Illinois Library Association President and Director of Skokie Public Library and a short address by Sarah Long, Director, North Suburban Library System and President of the American Library Association. A string ensemble and the Union Baptist Church Choir will present musical selections.

Since the 1839 State Library Act was enacted, the collection has been housed in many locations. The Library Act authorized the governor and the justices of the supreme court to select books and provide for their safekeeping. On June 20, 1839, Governor Thomas Carlin ordered all books, records and papers pertaining to state government moved from Vandalia to the new Capitol in Springfield by July 4. Construction delays on the Capitol forced officials to rent quarters around the city’s square.

Stephen A. Douglas was the first Secretary of State to move into the 960 square feet of space assigned to the state library.

During the next 20 years the library’s collection grew slowly and the struggle for funding was long and difficult. As the need for a strong state library was recognized the collection was expanded. With each expansion, additional space was required and the State Library’s address changed from the old to the new state Capitol, then to the Centennial Building, and finally in June of 1990, to a building of its own.

The Illinois State Library building is a modern structure with an impressive six-story marble atrium and 15 miles of bookshelves. The library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The public is invited to join the anniversary celebration.