The Orland Park Public Library serves the residents of the Village of Orland Park. Our library serves a population of over 57,000 people and we circulate over 625,000 items per year. The library moved into its new award-winning 93,000 square foot building in September 2004. We currently have a collection of over 180,000 items.
Patrons of all ages have access to a well-rounded collection of both print and non-print materials, educational and recreational programs, access to computers and instructional computer classes, excellent reference service, outreach programs for seniors and homebound patrons, and innovative services such as downloadable books and instant messaging reference.
We are a member of the Metropolitan Library System allowing our patrons access to the SWAN catalog listing over 70 different public libraries' collections. As a member, our patrons enjoy reciprocal borrowing privileges with these libraries and interlibrary loan service.
Book Drops/After Hours Lockers
The Orland Park Public Library has drive-up book drops available for the return of books on the exterior of the new building on the south wall and walk-up book drops on the west wall to the right of the main entrance.
The library has twenty after hours lockers available for patrons to use 24/7 without coming into the building. Patrons may contact us to have their materials checked out to them and placed in one of these lockers accessible by special code. The entrance to the after hours lockers is located just east of the front doors.
Your Orland Park Public Library Card
Library cards are issued free of charge to residents living within the corporate limits of the Village of Orland Park. Children age 14 and older living with a parent or legal guardian may use the parent's or legal guardian's proof of residence until they obtain qualifying proof of residence in their own names.
Library cards will be issued to children age 13 and under residing in the incorporated boundaries of the Village of Orland Park with the signature of a parent or legal guardian. The child must be accompanied by the parent or legal guardian with whom they reside and meets the residency requirement.
Cards are issued for a period of three years. One form of identification, showing the present address, is required when applying for a library card or when renewing an expired card.
People living in areas untaxed for library services may obtain a card by paying a fee determined by multiplying the current library tax rate times the equalized assessed valuation on the applicants tax bill. Cards are issued for one year to all members of the homeowner's immediate family living at that address.
Teacher Loan Cards, School Services and Pal Paks
Teacher Loan cards are available to certified full-time educators or media specialists working in schools served by the Orland Park Public Library. Click on Teacher Loan Cards (PDF) for more information and an application.
For more information on the services available to educators, download the PDFs for the School Services Brochure , the Pal Paks Brochure , and the Pal Paks Request Form .
Orland Park Public Library books and materials are loaned to holders of valid library cards for three weeks unless otherwise specified.
Magazines: 3 weeks
The Orland Park Public Library offers its Lucky Day Collection for patrons in search of popular items. Lucky Day items are located in the library's lobby near the Circulation Desk.
Lucky Day Books: 5 days
Overdue fines are 10ยข per day for each item overdue unless otherwise specified. When items are lost or damaged beyond repair, the cost of the item plus a processing fee will be assessed.
Most materials may be renewed once. Feature Videos and DVDs, Video Games, Leapfrog Games and the Lucky Day Collection cannot be renewed. You can also renew online by SWAN Catalog if the materials are not overdue for more than two weeks or on hold for another patron.
Materials may be reserved by Orland Park Public Library cardholders in-person, by phone, or online through the SWAN Online Catalog . New materials that have not entered the system may be requested with this form . You will be contacted by phone or email when the item is ready for pick-up at the Circulation Desk.
Meeting Rooms
The Orland Park Public Library provides meeting rooms as a limited forum to support its informational, educational, and recreational mission and roles. The library will not discriminate in making its premises available for use on the basis of viewpoints expressed by users or the race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliations or physical limitations of the users. Use of the meeting rooms does not constitute sponsorship or endorsement of the users or the users' beliefs by the Orland Park Public Library or the Board of Library Trustees.
Meeting Room Policy (PDF) Meeting Room Rules and Regulations (PDF) Meeting Room Reservation and Use Agreement Form (PDF)
Study Rooms
Study Rooms are available in the Adult and Youth Services Departments on first come, first served basis. No reservations are taken.
History of the Library
The Orland Park Public Library began in 1937 when the Orland Park Women's Club decided to make the founding of a public library its major activity for the year. Partial funding was provided by a WPA library project through the State Library Extension board in Springfield. Mr. Roy Loebe donated the Purple Candle Building to use rent free. Many others contributed to the fledging library.
In 1940 the population of Orland Park was 631; in 1941 the Village Board passed an ordinance establishing a free public library operated by volunteers and stocked by donations. Then in 1943 a referendum was passed allowing taxes to be levied for the operation of the library.
By 1960 the population had grown to 2,592 and the library began receiving a new state library service, a bookmobile. This service continued until 1967 when the library joined the Suburban Library System. The population in 1970 was 6,391 and the Purple Candle Building simply could not hold another thing. Records were stacked in a bathtub and plans were made to move the library into a larger building.
Expansion came in the form of a gift. As the Orland Park Herald reported in January 1975, "In an unprecedented gesture of largesse Andrew Corporation gave a gift of a new Library Building to the community of Orland Park at the Village Board meeting on January 13." The 7,000 square foot building, the Aileen S. Andrew Memorial, was dedicated on November 14, 1976.
The Village of Orland Park kept growing; the population for 1980 was 23,045. The Andrew Foundation once again donated the needed money, providing an addition to the library building, which increased its size to almost 18,500 square feet. Besides the addition, completed in August 1983, the library began contracting for bookmobile service from the Frankfort Library during the summers.
The 1990 census reported 35,720 residents and the library was again in need of space. The Library Board purchased a bookmobile and an expansion of the building was begun. The second addition added the bookmobile garage, meeting room, boardroom and Technical Services area. There was also a small remodeling project to add shelves where the old Technical Services area had been. Financing, for the first time, was through a municipal bond issue.
In 2002, the Board of Trustees placed on the ballot a referendum to build a new facility to be located on 149th and Ravinia Avenue, replacing the current facility. The referendum passed with two-thirds of the votes in favor of the proposed building. Michael Barnes, an architect from Lohan Anderson, designed the 93,000 square foot building and W.E. O'Neil was chosen as the General Contractor. The new facility officially opened on September 12, 2004 and has won numerous awards for its building design.
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Americans with Disabilities Act Statement
The Orland Park Public Library is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals who require an accommodation for a disability for any of the library presentations should contact the library at 708-428-5100 at least five working days prior to the event.Board of Library Trustees
The Board of Library Trustees consists of seven residents of the Village of Orland Park who are elected biennially to six year terms and serve as the policy making body of the library.
Diane I. Jennings, President
The Board of Library Trustees meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Room 105. These meetings are open to the public.
Next Meeting Agenda (DOC)
Archive of Board Meeting Minutes
Staff Directory
Library Director
Mary Weimar
428-5203
The Primary Designated FOIA Officer
Assistant Library Director
Robin Wagner
428-5202
The Secondary Designated FOIA Officer
Public Information
Melissa Panio
428-5205
Business Office
Barbara Gilbreth
428-5201
Head of Adult Services
Andrew Masura
428-5155
Head of Youth Services
Mary Adamowski
428-5135
Head of Outreach Services
Kelly Cuci
428-5114
Head of Circulation Services
Howard Griffin
428-5109
Head of Information Technology
Peter Kuczynski
428-5167
Head of Technical Services
Kay Momsen
428-5120
Superintendent of Maintenance
Steve Newman
428-5133
Department Directory
Information Desk
428-5100
Adult Reference
428-5150
Children's Reference
428-5127
Preschool Desk
428-5134
Teen Desk
428-5154
Computer Desk
428-5171
Circulation Desk
428-5105
Meeting Room Information
428-5205
Volunteer Information
428-5202
Friends of the Library
428-5202
Homebound Service
428-5114
Displays
428-5114
Programs
428-5114
Employment Opportunities
There are no positions available.
