The Village Board passed a resolution to create a Library Study and Advisory Committee. In January of 1973, the committee comprises of Caroline Schweitzer, Harold Tompkins, Jan Cline, Sally Henning, Ann Marie Bond, Ruth Fiedler, Gail Anne Plinske, and Kathy Knable (who later resigned as was replaced by Ron Howe). They conducted studies on funding, organizing, and acquiring books.
The Village establishes a "Friends of the Library" group to promote a library for Bloomingdale. The first president of the Friends was Carol Brodersen. The Friends lobbied for passage of a referendum, sponsored a library flag design contest, and held fundraisers.
The library's first board of directors were Karen Taylor, president; Marie Friscia, secretary; Ron Howe, finance and budget; Ann Marie Bond, library facility; Sandy Roth, library services; Gail Anne Plinske, library supplies; and Carolyn Sommerville, DuPage Library System liaison.
In December 1974, the yet unopened library became a member of the DuPage Library System.
Two mobile classrooms, which provided 1,600 square feet of usable space, were purchased fro the Glendale Heights school district for $3,000. Campanelli Builders, Inc. donated a parcel of land and the mobile classrooms were placed at the corner of Bloomingdale Road and Fairfield Way. The library opened it's doors with a collection of 4,500 adult and juvenile books, a staff of three, and over 30 volunteers providing 28 hours of service each week.
The Library and the Friends of the Library present the library flag to the community. The flag, designed by William Esunis, features the Torch of Knowledge in the center with the motto "Keep the Flame Burning: Read"
Due to the growth in population and the need for expanded library services, a referendum was proposed to enlarge the size of the library and its collection. The referendum was defeated 552 to 427.
In 1978 Sue Schlaf, first Bloomingdale Public Library librarian, resigned from her position as head librarian, and Joanne Spector was hired as her replacement. By the beginning of 1979, the paid staff had grown to five and the library was open 49 hours a week. In September of that year, Gay Nass was hired as administrative librarian.
A bond issue for $1,250,000 to construct a new library building was approved by the voters of Bloomingdale 1,210 to 301.
Ground was broken for a 20,000 square foot library building designed by Art Jakl & Associates of Bloomingdale.
10,000 square feet on the ground level to be shared by adult, juvenile, and technical services, and 10,000 square fee on the lower level that would be available for public meetings and provide space for further expansion.
By 1985, the library's collection had grown to over 35,000 volumes, and services had been expanded to include records, cassettes, audio visual equipment, magazines, pamphlets, puzzles, maps, and picture files. The library was open 61 hours a week and had a staff of 18.
Mary E. Rodne was hired as library director to replace Gay Nass who had resigned.
Pat Chanley was the first childen's librarian. She entertained and helped educate the children of Bloomingdale for 12 years, 1974-1987.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Dell System 210, IBM compatible computer.
From 1984-1994 Bloomingdale's population had increased 58%. As a result, average daily patron visits to the library had increased 93%, circulation of material had increased 51%, book collection size increased by 85%, reference questions answered increased by 390%, and library program attendance had increased by 751%.
First patron to use OPAC (Online Patron Access Catalog)
Dedication of new Youth Services Department in lower level of library.
The Froio collection is a perpetual endowment by the mother and father of Donna Beth Froio, established to provide materials for the children's foreign language section in memory of Donna Beth and all other children of Bloomingdale who have passed on.
Bloomingdale voters approved a 3,600,000 bond issue with a vote of 2,791 to 1,944 to expand and remodel the existing library to improve services.
The library begins to open at 9:00 a.m. instead of 9:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday. Sunday afternoon hours were also initiated.
The old library card catalog was dismantled and removed from the library.
Construction began September 24, 1995 and was completed in November of 1996.
A computer workstation with access to the Internet was available to Bloomingdale residents with a library card.
The newly remodeled and expanded library provided additional seating and quiet work areas, increased meeting and program areas, more space for personal computers, improved accessibility, and improved security for library materials.
Library celebrates 25 years of serving the Bloomingdale community.
Timothy Jarzemsky was hired as library director to replace Mary E. Rodne who had resigned.
Interior remodel begins in May 2006 and is completed in October 2007. The renovation included new seating for patrons, signage, and shelving. A new teen area is incorporated in the layout.
New furniture was purchased for a new area in the library designated as the "The Think Tank" quiet zone.
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