THE POSSIBILITY OF A TOWN HALL LIBRARY BUILDING WAS FIRST DISCUSSED IN APRIL 1895.  AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, MR. SAMUEL ALLERTON PROPOSED THAT IF THE PEOPLE OF MONTICELLO TOWNSHIP WOULD ERECT A SUITABLE BUILDING HE WOULD DONATE THE FUNDS TO STOCK THE LIBRARY WITH FURNITURE, BOOKS, PERIODICALS, AND ALL OF THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO MAKE IT A FIRST CLASS FACILITY.

 

IT WAS DECIDED TO CONSTRUCT A BUILDING THAT NOT ONLY HOUSED A PUBLIC LIBRARY BUT ALSO AN OPERA HOUSE IN HOPES THAT THE OPERA HOUSE WOULD RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT THE LIBRARY FINANCIALLY.

 

THE LIBRARY ROOM WAS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND HAD AN ENTRANCE OFF LIVINGSTON STREET.  THE OPERA HOUSE HAD ITS MAIN ENTRANCE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING WITH A TICKET OFFICE JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE DOORS.

 

BY SUMMER 1897 THE LIBRARY WAS READY FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC.

 

THE LIBRARY CONTINUED TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE OPERA HOUSE RECEIPTS UNTIL 1919 WHEN A VOTE WAS HELD ON THE ISSUE OF A TAX TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY.  IT WAS APPROVED BY A VOTE OF MORE THAN THREE TO ONE.

 

TODAY ALLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CONTINUES TO BE TAX SUPPORTED BY THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF MONTICELLO TOWNSHIP.

Phone: 217-762-4676

Fax: 217-762-2021

 

ALLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

201 N. STATE STREET

MONTICELLO, IL  61856

Library Facts