"Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better."
—Sidney Sheldon
About the Berkeley Library
The Berkeley Public Library provides materials and services to help community residents obtain information to meet their personal, educational, and cultural needs and serves as a learning and educational center for its community.
We are a small (but mighty!) public library in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We LOVE our community, and work hard to ensure that we have a range of materials and services available to all. In addition to the library building itself, you can find our StoryWalk (tm) at Berkeley Park, starting at the corner of Taft and Electric Avenues. We are a part of SWAN Libraries, a consortium of 100 public and special libraries throughout the greater Chicagoland area.
Strategic Plan
Our most recent strategic plan, developed in the Fall of 2019, incorporates historic data and community survey results to provide for a roadmap for the years 2019-2024.
Financial & Legal Information
Below are documents of a financial or legal nature:
Your Library Tax Dollars in 2022-2023
People - 74%, $319,210
Wages, benefits, and development/training for staff and board.
Materials - 8%, $34,150
Print books, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks, tools and equipment, video games.
Public Service - 6%, $25,750
Programming and special events, SWAN consortium membership.
Technology - 5%, $21,750
Computers for public and staff, website hosting, laptops, tablets, hotspots, and internet.
Facility - 3.5%, $15,100
Repair and maintenance, custodial services, snow removal and landscaping.
Support Service - 3.1%, $13,475
Administration, telephones, promotions and marketing, auditing, attorneys fees.