Arcola Public Library District
🏢 Illinois Heartland Library System · Arcola, Illinois
Arcola Public Library District
The Arcola Public Library District occupies one of Illinois's finest surviving Carnegie library buildings — a 1905 classical revival structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002. Step inside the tiled foyer and domed atrium of 407 E. Main Street to find books, digital resources and community programs in a building similar to only three other Carnegie libraries in the state.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 407 E Main Street, Arcola, IL 61910
Phone: (217) 268-4477
Website: arcolapubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 86FHMMMW+PP (Arcola, IL)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Arcola Public Library District
The Arcola Public Library District serves Arcola, a Douglas County city of about 2,900 residents in east-central Illinois best known as the birthplace of Raggedy Ann creator Johnny Gruelle (1880) and as home to one of the region's largest Old Order Amish communities. The library building opened in 1905 with funding from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 as a rare surviving example of classical revival Carnegie architecture — its tiled foyer, domed atrium, working fireplaces and cypress wood interior have been preserved by successive boards committed to balancing contemporary library services with historic stewardship. The library belongs to the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), which provides a shared Polaris catalog, interlibrary delivery and digital resources including Libby for eBooks and audiobooks and hoopla for streaming. IRIS, the Illinois State Library's statewide digital resource program, gives all Illinois cardholders access to additional research databases through their home library.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1905 Carnegie library — one of only four classical revival Carnegie buildings still standing in Illinois, on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003
- Preserved original interior: tiled foyer, domed atrium, working fireplaces and Cyprus wood throughout
- Located in Arcola, birthplace of Raggedy Ann creator Johnny Gruelle (1880) and gateway to the Illinois Amish countryside
- Member of Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) — shared Polaris catalog and interlibrary delivery across southern/central Illinois
- Free digital borrowing through Libby and hoopla with an Arcola library card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Arcola cardholders can borrow, stream and research free through the Illinois Heartland digital collections:
📚 Services
- Circulation of books, DVDs, audiobooks and magazines
- Public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan through Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS)
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Community meeting space in the historic Carnegie building
- Online catalog access for account management and holds
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer Reading Program
- Adult programming and book discussions
- Community events celebrating Arcola's Amish heritage and Broom Corn Festival
- Calendar of events updated at arcolapubliclibrary.org
📍 Nearby Libraries in Douglas & Coles Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arcola Public Library a Carnegie library?
Yes. The Arcola Public Library District building opened in 1905 with Carnegie Corporation funding and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of only a handful of classical revival Carnegie libraries still standing in Illinois, notable for its tiled foyer, domed atrium, working fireplaces and original cypress wood interior.
What are the library's hours and is it open on weekends?
The library is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays. Contact the library at (217) 268-4477 to confirm holiday hours.
Can Arcola library cardholders borrow items from other Illinois libraries?
Yes. As a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), Arcola cardholders can request items from member libraries through the shared Polaris catalog at search.illinoisheartland.org and pick them up at the Arcola branch.
What is Arcola known for, and does the library have local history materials?
Arcola is the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle (1880), the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, and is home to a thriving Old Order Amish community and the Libman Company broom and mop manufacturing plant. The library holds local community materials; for genealogy and regional history research, the Illinois Heartland catalog also connects you to collections at nearby member libraries.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.