Cook Memorial Library at 100: The 1970s

The Cook Memorial Library celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. To commemorate the milestone, we set out to document the library’s history decade by decade. We made it as far as the opening of the current library building in 1968.

Thanks to library volunteer Lyndon Shi, a sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in history, we are back on track. The blog post below was researched and written by Lyndon Shi and edited by local history librarian Jenny Barry.

___________________________________________________________

“Contending with Growth”

The 1970s were an era of “contending with growth,” according to head librarian Fred Byergo [1]. Under Byergo’s leadership, during this decade the Cook Memorial Public Library converted from a township to a district library, grew the collection size and introduced additional material formats, joined book borrowing and information sharing networks, expanded program offerings, and deployed new computer capabilities.

From township library to library district

In April 1973, voters approved the change of the Cook Memorial Public Library from a township library to a library district. The reorganization simplified library governance and helped preserve the library’s service area from potential annexations by neighboring communities. Maintaining the tax base and “a sound financial footing” was imperative as library service had increased by almost 65 percent since the new building opened in 1968 [2].

The library district model also enabled future annexations to the district which could increase the library’s tax base and bring library service to previously unserved communities. Within a year, the library added new service areas to the district.  Beginning in late 1973, the Cook Memorial Public Library District provided grant-funded demonstration library service for residents of Vernon Hills, Mettawa, and Indian Creek. The library issued library cards, created new bookmobile stops, and offered library programming at the Vernon Hills Recreation Center [3]. Based on the success of this trial program, June 8, 1974, referendum voters overwhelmingly approved the Cook Memorial Library District annexation of these unserved sections of Vernon Township [4].

New Formats

As the district’s service area grew, so did its collection. Much of the budget in the early 1970s went towards book purchases intended to fulfill the 2.5 books per person quota recommended by the American Library Association. Libertyville’s book to person ratio in April 1971 was just 1.8 [5]. The collection grew by over 30% from 1969 to 1973 – from 38,300 volumes to 51,500 volumes [6]. In addition to an overall larger book collection, the Cook Library added new formats for patrons. Large type books, cassette tapes, 8mm films and a projector, and framed art became available for check out. A sewing pattern exchange also debuted [7].

The library took advantage of area library organizations during this era by participating in the North Suburban Library System’s Reciprocal Borrowing Program, the Suburban Audio-Visual Service, reciprocal borrowing with the Chicago Public Library system, and the “Information Passport” library card program with the Illinois Library Council. These programs, and the rapid growth of the library’s book collections, greatly expanded the number of books that a Cook Library card holder could access [8].

New Programs

The library sponsored many educational and entertainment programs in the 1970s. Free films, such as The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (1940) and Australia’s Coral Wonderland (1950), were frequently screened at Cook. Children’s summer reading programs, story times, and the opening of a children’s program room in 1973 encouraged participation in various creative activities [9].

The library’s genealogy resources attracted family history researchers and prompted the creation of the Libertyville Genealogical Group which met at the library [10]. Finally, “Keys to Knowledge” courses, a Great Books discussion series, and information research programs encouraged adult education in specialized topics by providing access to coursebooks and specialists [11].

With increased collection size and programming, patron visits also went up. By the middle of the decade, the original 40 parking spaces were not enough. In collaboration with the Village of Libertyville, the library acquired additional land along Brainerd Avenue and after more than a year of planning, a total of 65 parking spots finally opened in August 1980 [12].

New technology

The library’s first photocopy machine debuted in 1970 [13]. Other technological innovations introduced during the decade made it easier for patrons to borrow materials.  The most significant change, which was novel in the mid-1970s but fundamental to library operations today, was the introduction of computers and barcodes to Cook Library. The computerized borrowing system, nicknamed Libby, allowed library staff to quickly look up books in the Cook collection and partner libraries’ catalogs. Library cards and books received barcodes which staff could quickly scan with a light pen. According to North Suburban Library System leadership, the cluster of partnering libraries was “the first in the country involving independent public libraries” to share a computer system in this manner [14].

The Cook Library finished the 1970s in a strong position after a decade of growth, particularly in its collection size. However, by the end of decade the library was once again reaching its physical limit for both books and patron seating [15]. How to address these needs would occupy library board and staff as the 1980s began.

Sources

1. Independent Register, July 8, 1976, p. 1.
2. Independent Register, March 29, 1973, p5M.
3. Vernon Town Crier, November 29, 1973, p7; Independent Register, November 29, 1973, p6B; Independent Register, February 28, 1974.
4. Libertyville Herald, June 12, 1974.
5. The Herald, April 14, 1971; The Herald, April 21,1971.
6. Independent Register, January 11, 1973.
7. Meeting minutes of the Board of Directors of Cook Memorial Library of Libertyville Township, March 11, 1970; January 10, 1973; March 21, 1973; Meeting minutes of the Board of Directors of Cook Memorial Public Library District, January 15, 1975.
8. Independent Register, April 2, 1970; Libertyville Herald, January 12, 1972, p. 2; Independent Register, February 1, 1973, p. 2.
9. Libertyville Herald, October 24, 1973; Independent Register, August 20, 1970.
10. Libertyville Herald, March 20, 1974.
11. Independent Register, March 26, 1970; Clipping in Cook Memorial Public Library District scrapbook, c. 1973; Independent Register, September 7, 1972.
12. Libertyville Herald, October 12, 1977, p1; Independent Register, August 14, 1980.
13. Meeting minutes of the Board of Directors of Cook Memorial Library of Libertyville Township, March 11, 1970.
14. Independent Register, May 21, 1975.
15. Meeting minutes of the Board of Directors of Cook Memorial Public Library District, May 21, 1979.