100th Anniversary

Celebrating 100 Years of Connection, Curiosity, and Joy!
Join us as we commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.

This year marks our centennial milestone and we are excited to share with you our rich heritage, honoring the countless stories shared, lessons learned, and minds inspired within these walls. Among the festivities we’ve planned this year are a kick-off event in May, a historical exhibit, and a fundraiser to enrich our children’s area.

Northern Illinois LEGO® Train Club Exhibit
Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 5, 12:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Sensory Hour: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Using over a million LEGO® bricks to build approximately 200 feet of tracks and city-scapes, the Northern Illinois LEGO® Train Club (NILTC) Exhibit brings their awesome display for the weekend! Enjoy the sights and sounds of this fun and one-of-a-kind train exhibit created by the members of this creative and passionate group. LEGO® lovers of all ages will be amazed at the brightly colored and detailed world on display. NILTC excels at creating little vignettes throughout their train layout and often gets a lot of attention and big laughs from the adoring crowd. All ages. Drop in. On the day of the event attendees will receive a time slot ticket for their spot in line to view the LEGO exhibit.

Food Trucks! 
Saturday, May 4 Sunday, May 5, 11:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
Buy some delicious food from Palatine favorites! While you wait to see the marvels of the LEGO® Train Exhibit, Chicago Culinary Kitchen serves up some of their award-winning food, and Pierogi Girls and My FlavorIt! Place has all the delicious, sweet treats you need.

LEGO® Play and Crafts
Stop by The Workshop and Youth and Teen Area for more fun activities! Build something extraordinary with our blocks and make a button in The Workshop to remember the day.

Get early access to our exhibit!
Continue your visit and stop by the second floor for an early viewing of our display that honors the rich century-long history of Palatine Library.

Sign our birthday card!
Make sure to sign our birthday card on the first floor this weekend so that it can be displayed in the exhibit. After the event, the card will be available to sign on the second floor.

Upgrade Your Library Card!
Trade in your old Library card for our new, a special-edition card for free.

100 Years of Connection, Curiosity, and Joy
Opens May 15
Walk back in time through a collection of seldom-seen historical photographs with some fascinating details.
All ages. Located on the second floor. Drop in.

History of Palatine Library
Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join the Palatine Historical Society to learn the history of our Library as we unveil our new exhibit.
Sign up begins 5/1.

Help us Raise $10,000!

Show off your Library pride in limited-edition items with inclusive sizes, fit for all ages!

This year, we are raising funds to purchase a brand-new, amazing children’s interactive display in the Early Literacy Area: a GIANT LiteZilla Lite Brite and STEM activity!

Imagine the joy and fun children will have playing as they also learn important skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. A LiteZilla installation promises to provide a fun activity for you and your family and a chance to connect with other kids.

“We would love to have a new educational activity in the children’s area,” states Kathy Burns, Youth and Teen Services Manager. “We often hear from families that they want more fun and interactive toys for their kids to play with when they come to the Library.”