Stinson Memorial Public Library
🏢 Illinois Heartland Library System · Anna, Illinois
Stinson Memorial Public Library
The Stinson Memorial Public Library in Anna, Illinois occupies a 1914 limestone landmark designed by Walter Burley Griffin — a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé — and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. Funded entirely by a $50,000 Civil War veteran's bequest, it remains one of the most architecturally distinguished small-town public libraries in the Midwest.
🕑 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: 409 SOUTH MAIN STREET, ANNA, IL 62906
Phone: +1618-833-2521
Website: stinsonlibrary.org
Plus Code: 869GFP5X+68 (ANNA, IL)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Stinson Memorial Public Library
Robert Burns Stinson (1830–1903), an Anna businessman and Civil War veteran who made his fortune running a barrel factory, had no heirs and bequeathed $50,082 to the City of Anna to establish a free public library. The library board formed in January 1904, and by 1913 the accumulated fund was large enough to begin construction. The building was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, a University of Illinois graduate and former associate of Frank Lloyd Wright, who created a boldly expressive structure of locally quarried limestone with reinforced concrete, heavy fumed oak beams, and stained glass windows that architectural historian Paul Sprague credited as moving 'ahead of his master' in expressionism. The library opened on August 14, 1914, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1978. Around 1917 the library launched an innovative horse-drawn 'book wagon' that circulated volumes to neighboring county communities — one of the earliest examples of mobile library service in the region. Today the building holds approximately 25,000 books across four reading rooms, and the library serves Union County residents with a free card, digital resources, and community programs.
⭐ What makes this library special
- 1914 landmark designed by Walter Burley Griffin, Frank Lloyd Wright protégé — named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978
- Built with a $50,082 bequest from Civil War veteran Robert Burns Stinson, the library's sole founder and patron
- Original stained glass windows, fumed oak beams, and locally quarried limestone construction described as surpassing Wright himself in expressionism
- Around 1917 the library introduced a horse-drawn 'book wagon' — one of the earliest mobile library services in southern Illinois
- Holds approximately 25,000 books across four reading rooms in the original 1914 building, still in active daily use
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Stinson cardholders access digital books, newspapers, and research tools free through Illinois statewide collections:
📚 Services
- Free library cards for Union County residents and Illinois residents
- Public computers, free Wi-Fi, and printing
- cloudLibrary eBooks and audiobooks for download
- Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections — historic Anna Talk editions
- Interlibrary loan through the Illinois Heartland Library System
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Community meeting space in the historic 1914 building
- Lawyer in the Library legal assistance program
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth reading activities
- Summer reading program for children and adults
- Adult programs and community events
- Friends of the Library volunteer and fundraising activities
- Book discussions and reading groups
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southern Illinois
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Stinson and how did he fund the library?
Robert Burns Stinson (1830–1903) was an Anna, Illinois businessman — owner of a barrel factory — and Civil War veteran who had no heirs. In his will he left $50,082 to the City of Anna specifically to establish a free public library. The library board organized in January 1904 and, after accumulating interest for nearly a decade, began construction in 1913, opening the doors on August 14, 1914.
Who was the architect, and why is the building historically significant?
The building was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, a University of Illinois architecture graduate who had worked closely with Frank Lloyd Wright before striking out on his own. Griffin used locally quarried limestone, reinforced concrete, heavy fumed oak beams, and stained glass windows to create what architectural historian Paul Sprague called an expressionist work that 'moved ahead of his master.' The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1978.
What was the Stinson Library's 'book wagon'?
Around 1917 the library introduced a horse-drawn vehicle that circulated books to households and communities throughout the surrounding county — one of the earliest examples of mobile library service in southern Illinois. The innovation attracted interest from librarians in other communities looking to replicate the model.
Do I need a Union County address to get a free card?
Stinson Memorial Public Library issues free cards to Union County residents. Illinois residents outside the county may also be eligible; contact the library at (618) 833-2521 or visit in person at 409 S. Main St., Anna, to confirm eligibility and bring a valid photo ID with proof of address.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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