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a light shines outside these Carnegie library doors; This is Knowledges  home.

Library History

     Founded in 1870 by Mrs. Ralph Plumb and Mrs. Virginia Le Roy, the Streator Public Library began in a room above the Streator National Bank with books from their husbands' personal collections. As donations and volunteers grew, the library expanded but soon outgrew its space. Through Col. Ralph Plumb's connection to Andrew Carnegie, a grant request was made, resulting in an extraordinary $35,000—well above the standard $10,000. Construction began in 1902 and finished in 1903, making it a Carnegie library. The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

 

     Much of the original architecture remains, including the grand staircase, oak shelves and tables, stained glass, and the interior dome. In 1908, an exterior dome and wood panels were added to address skylight leaks.

 

     The dome features murals by Chicago artist Gustove Fuchs, completed in 1905. Damaged by smoke in a 1945 fire, the murals and dome were restored in 2023 thanks to community donations and grants.

 

     A 2011 addition improved accessibility, added space for teens and large print materials, and included new meeting areas. The upper level now offers a multi-use space with views over Bridge Street.

 

     The Poundstone Room displays a Civil War flag carried by Sgt. George Poundstone. Wounded and captured in 1863, he hid the blood-stained flag in his shirt to protect it. After years in state custody, the flag was restored and returned to Streator in 2012, now one of only six Civil War flags on public display in Illinois.

 

     The Soderstrom Room honors labor leader Reuben G. Soderstrom. A child laborer turned organized labor leader, his intellectual journey began at the library with a card sponsored by mentor John E. Williams. A longtime labor leader, Soderstrom served 40 years as president of the Illinois State Federation of Labor, later the Illinois AFL-CIO. A 2017 donation from his foundation funded the room's renovation, which includes a fireplace gavel motif celebrating his leadership.

US Landmark
Carnegie Library

The Streator Public Library is a US Landmark Carnegie facility that was constructed in 1903.  The Fuchs murals that were installed, around the interior of the lower dome,

were painted on leather in a local shop and installed in 1905.

The original grand stair case, woodwork, shelves, and stained glass are still in place.

Many of the original oak tables are still utilized.

Black and white photo of a library circulation desk

Community Resources Information

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Streator Salvation Army                                815-672-2746
126 S. Bloomington St.                                 9:00AM-3:00PM Mon-Fri
Streator, IL 61364                                        9:00AM-5:00PM Thur.

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  • Thrift store

  • Disaster services

  • Rental assistance

  • Utility assistance

  • Medication assistance

  • Food pantry (once a week)

  • Coats for children and adults

  • Shower Facility

 

Safe Journeys (supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence)
Streator Office: 510 N. Bloomington St.
Support Line: 1-815-673-1555

(available 24/7)

 

24/7 Confidential Support Line for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence:

815-673-1555

instagram.com/safe.journeys

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Grace Community Church                                                                               815-672-7700
1634 N Illinois Route 23                                                                                  9:00AM-11:00AM Wed & Fri
Streator, IL 61364

Food Pantry (once a month)
 

Streator Land Food Pantry                                                                             815-673-3688
210 N. Wasson St                                                                                             9:00AM-11:00AM Mon-Fri (Closed Wed)
Streator, IL 61364

Food Pantry (once a month)
 

Park Presbyterian Church
Hardscrabble Lions Club                                                                                815-673-1526
Park conference center on the corner of Hickory St and Wasson St
Streator, IL 61364

Free lunch the second Saturday of every month at 11:30

 
Ottawa Department of Human Services                                                       815-443-1572
Family Community Resource Center                                                             8:30AM-5:00PM Mon-Fri
1560 First Avenue
Ottawa, IL 61350

Applications for cash, SNAP, and medical assistance

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Cancer Patient Resource Center

111 Spring St.

3rd Floor, Suit 305 & 306

Patient services are free of charge to cancer patients

 

  © 2024 Streator Public Library                          130 S. Park Street, Streator, IL 61364                   815.672.2729          Fax 815.672.6734          

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