Elgin's Award Winning Gail Borden Public Library Offers a Variety of Educational Adventures to Visitors

 

A Morning of Wonder at Gail Borden Public Library

Disclosure: Thank you to Explore Elgin Area for hosting our visit.

Gail Borden Public library has provided the Elgin Area with a place for learning and pursuing knowledge since 1894. The current location of the main library opened in 1968. The expansive library has an extensive collection and a wealth of services including passport services and an array of interesting exhibits. Take a little peek inside the renowned institution:

Wandering Through the World of The Wizard of Oz

Entering Gail Borden Public Library's The Wizard of Oz exhibit is like entering the theater. 

We were blown away by The Wizard of Oz exhibit during our visit. While mainly geared towards children, the exhibit also has some interesting facts for adults. Additionally, who doesn't like to relive some childhood whimsy? Entering the exhibit just like entering a theatre was the icing on the cake for me. Such a special experience!

Visiting Dorothy's House as part of The Wizard of Oz exhibit treats to a topsy-turvy experience.

The exhibit is very interactive and includes plenty of space to move around to explore. Displays engage the senses and require a variety of thinking skills. Motor skills are engaged as well. Visiting Dorothy's house, everyone gets to get topsy-turvey.  We enjoyed meeting favorite characters like Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and more as well as following the Yellow Brick Road. I loved discovering the bike complete with Toto in the basket! Every time we thought we experienced everything in the exhibit, we discovered something else.

The Wizard of Oz exhibit includes Miss Gulch's bike complete with Toto in the basket and a visit with Cowardly Lion.

The Wizard of Oz is ongoing through August 29, 2022. Also, check for special events as part of the exhibit. The children's area of the library is also sizeable providing more to do. If you are looking for an indoor adventure for the kiddos this summer, this is a fantastic exhibit. Gail Borden Public Library welcomes a range of interesting exhibits, so definitely keep your eye out for future offerings. 

Experiencing Gail Borden Public Library

The incredible collection at Gail Borden Public Library. The library also has plenty of space
to sit and research, study and work.

The library is named for Gail Borden, a New York businessman who revolutionized the dairy businesses by developing condensed milk in 1856. Soon after, he would marry Eunice Church who had once lived in Elgin. Borden found Elgin to be the perfect place to expand his company west. When the citizens of Elgin began looking for a spot for a library, the stepsons of Gail Borden purchased and donated a mansion to the effort. Their request was for the library to forever be called the Gail Borden Public Library. The library is actually named after Gail Borden even though he never stepped foot in Elgin!

Artifacts discovered during a historic home restoration included glass milk bottles, a glass medicine bottle, a glass perfume bottle and more.

After visiting The Wizard of Oz, we ventured upstairs. While exploring, we observed a variety of exhibits including one displaying artifacts from recent home restorations. A remarkable collection of historic homes call Elgin home. Curio cabinets at Gail Borden Public Library feature a collection of times discovered as some of these homes were restored. I particularly enjoyed spotting the dairy glass hearkening back to Elgin's days as a dairy capital.

This painting by Trinidad Armenta depicts the colorful festivals
of her ancestor's home country, Mexico.

We also spotted artwork from local artists on the wall. The art helps to see the fabric of the Elgin community. I love how libraries connect the community and strengthen our bonds.

Gail Borden Public Library provides a variety of additional services including a Passport Center. Additionally, the library has a genealogy collection featuring local genealogy sources as well as some representing 25 states east of the Mississippi and several European nations. Inside you will also find a Craft Donuts + Coffee. There is a room for book sales. The library is on the Fox River, so some of the meeting rooms feature fantastic views.

As you can see, it is no wonder that Gail Borden Public Library has won awards! Gail Borden Public Library is truly a remarkable institution and a wonderful spot for a little adventure when in the Elgin Area.