Effingham Public Library Opens Doors Today

The new Effingham Public Library opened to the public today at 200 North Third Street, Effingham, following a nine-month remodeling of the former Fifth Third Bank building.

The Library, previously called the Helen Matthes Library, has now grown from 13,000 sq. ft. to 27,000 sq. ft. The move to the new building allows the library to offer its community a larger children’s area with its own dedicated programming room, a computer lab for computer classes, study rooms, a 150 seat auditorium, and more public computers.

Speaking on Opening Day, Amanda McKay, Library Director, said “This is a huge day for Effingham. So many people in our community have worked hard for many years to bring this project to fruition. They have given so generously of their time and money to bring this building back to life as our new Library and community gathering place, here at the heart of Effingham’s downtown area. Over the last 5 years we have watched circulation and attendance at our programs grow dramatically. Finally our patrons have the space and facilities to fully enjoy their library’s collection and all it has to offer.”

The total project came in at $3.5 million. The library already had $500,000 in a restricted building fund. This money had been raised years ago to purchase land for a new library. The Library’s former facility at East Market Avenue was appraised at nearly $700,000 – and the money from the sale of the building will be used for the renovations of the new facility. The Library is also seeking federal, state, and private grants totaling $300,000. This left approximately $2 million to be raised through fundraising of which the library has currently raised $1.5 million.

The Library’s opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library is closed on Sundays. To contact the library with questions, phone 217-342-2464 or e-mail info@effinghamlibrary.org .