Farmers Weekly Review

By Stephanie Irvine

Elwoodians can rejoice: The Elwood Branch of the Manhattan Public Library is now open for visitors, having welcomed the first patrons on November 20.

With about three hours left on the blustery opening day, the new branch had already seen about 50 visitors, issued five new library cards, and secured a large stack of library cards to be processed and picked up, a sign of the welcome reception the new branch had received. Comparatively, the Manhattan Branch sees about 30 new library cards per month.

“Everybody has been just lovely who has come through the doors,” Library Director Ashley Hopper said. Hopper was present along with multiple staff members to welcome visitors and answer any questions.

Residents say the clean, quaint 2,000-square-foot building at 111 S. Mississippi in downtown Elwood is just what the Village needed.

It offers complete access to the Prairie-CAT system’s books, which can be requested from anywhere in the state and brought to the Elwood Branch.

The Elwood Branch also has two computers with free Wi-Fi available for copying and printing, and starting in 2025, it will offer programming.

Another feature of the Elwood Branch is the 24-hour Smart Locker system installed next to the front door. The Smart Lockers allow patrons to retrieve materials they requested from the lockers with a unique access code at a convenient time.

Registration can be completed online, and the Smart Lockers are free for library card users.

“Even though we have limited hours here, we thought this was a great way to make sure people who commute or may have trouble getting here during the week would be able to get their items,” Hopper said of the Smart Lockers.

Elwood resident Karyn Schulde stopped into the new library with her husband.

“When I saw that a little satellite library was coming, I got excited,” Schulde said, adding that although Manhattan wasn’t far, she was looking forward to being able to walk to the Elwood branch.

Elwoodians may remember the new library as the long-vacant AT&T building that had fallen into some disrepair as it sat empty for the last 15 years, but they certainly won’t recognize it with all the work done to it since.

The exterior of the building features new windows and lighting, among a myriad of other repairs.

The Elwood Branch building was purchased on July 11, 2022, but it required extensive remodeling to be library-ready. The Library posted progress updates on its Facebook page and offered before-and-after pictures on its website.

“They’ve all been really surprised at how different the building was than they thought it would be. We made a lot of changes over the last two years that we’ve owned it, and we’re thrilled to finally be in Elwood,” Hopper said.

According to Hopper, the District received $30,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and did its best to be as fiscally responsible as possible. The District received chairs from the Joliet Public Library and refurbished old bookshelves to look brand new.

“We were very budget-conscious,” Hopper said. “We sanded stuff down, reupholstered the backs of chairs. These bookshelves were from the original library from 1984,” she explained their efforts to upcycle materials.

A couple of tables and chairs were mindfully placed throughout the library, providing a comfortable spot to pick up a book and read or for kids to play with the games available.

“The Friends of the Library donated this tree, which we’re really proud of, “ Hopper said. The wooden tree decoration serves as a focal point in the library and is visible from the front door.

“It makes such a great impact in such a small space. We are really grateful to them for that,” Hopper pointed out.

“It’s amazing what they did,” Schulde said of the remodel.

Although the Manhattan Branch is less than 10 miles away, the small Elwood branch was welcomed by patrons who would otherwise have to cross busy Route 53 and travel into downtown Manhattan to access the Manhattan branch.

Marilyn Hohulin, also an Elwood resident, echoed Schulde’s sentiments. Hohulin stopped in with her daughter, Lena, who will be working at the Elwood branch.

“I just think it’s exciting to have a library right here in our little town instead of having to drive — I mean, it’s eight miles, but you still have to drive,” Marilyn Hohulin offered before adding, “Especially for kids, just to walk down here after school, to be able to have a place to go, a place to hang, and good books to read! I’m excited.”

Elwood joined the now-Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District on February 19, 1995, when a referendum added parts of Jackson Township and the Village of Elwood to the District.

Before that, Elwood was served by a Bookmobile from the Joliet Public Library between 1972 and 1974, according to the March 8, 1974, edition of the now-defunct Manhattan American. The article was archived in the University of Illinois Digital Newspaper Collection and is accessible online from the District’s website.

“We really hoping that, particularly after school, that this would be a great place for kids to hang out after school to come and be welcomed,” Hopper said.

Her hopes were realized pretty quickly — a few boys had just walked in and sat down at the table to play a round of Uno after school on opening day.

Any person three years or older who lives within the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District is eligible for a library card.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter. Photos by Stephanie Irvine.