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Melvin Public Library

102 South Center Street
217-388-2421

About the Library:

Melvin Public Library grew from a project of the Melvin Junior Woman's Club which organized in 1934. Club members donated their own books and time and set up the library in a general store. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1939 made it possible to have a real library. The State supplied a collection of books and paid the salary of the librarian. The library was moved from the store to a town hall building. In 1942, a referendum for tax support was passed, dropping the WPA; the wall separating the library from the old jail was removed and this space is used for children's books. In 1965, the library building was remodeled providing new glass brick windows, a restroom, and air-conditioning; the rooms were completely redecorated. In 1984, an additional room in the town hall building was made available to the library and renovation allowed more space for the library collection.


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