Evanston To Close South Branch Library

EVANSTON, Ill. (STMW) - The South Branch of the Evanston Public Library, one of the north suburb's three library locations, will close at the end of February.

The closure of the South Branch, at 949 Chicago Avenue, is a result of reduced funding as part of the city of Evanston budget process that provided the Evanston Public Library Board with $3.7 million to allocate for library services, a release from Evanston said.

The exterior book drop at the South Branch will also close at the end of the business day on February 26. After this date, library materials can be returned to either the Main Library (1703 Orrington Ave.) or the North Branch (2026 Central Ave.), the release said. The South Branch collection will be reallocated throughout the system, according to the release.

"The city would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the public, the Evanston Public Library Board and the Evanston Public Library Friends. Specifically, we would like to thank the Friends who were able to raise $108,400 to be combined with $50,000 from the Evanston Public Library Board to fund operations at the South Branch for six months through the end of February 2011," Library Director Mary Johns said. "This was an extraordinary feat that demonstrates the support that the Evanston community has for its library services."

The South Branch first opened in 1917 at 926 Chicago Avenue and moved in 1934 to its current location.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed