Note: This story has been updated to reflect a citizen task force had recommended utilizing both the Knox County YMCA and the soon-to-be former Galesburg Public Library as a multi-site community center option.
You’ll soon not only be able to check out a book at the new Galesburg Public Library, you’ll be able to buy the old one.
The recently-closed Galesburg Public Library at 40 E. Simmons St. will soon be listed for sale by the Galesburg Library Board.
Galesburg Public Library Director Noelle Thompson said earlier this week on WGIL the old library will be put on the market. A new $22 million library is set to open at 264 W. Main St. later this month.
Martin Reichel, treasurer of the Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees, tells WGIL proceeds from the sale of the old library will go toward construction of the new library.
To comply with Illinois library law, Reichel said the board was first required to make the library available for purchase by a public body.
“And that’s what we did — we offered it to the city of Galesburg, and it turns out they weren’t interested,” Reichel said. “We’ve also talked the county half a dozen times in the last 10 years, and they didn’t express any interest, either. So we’ve fulfilled our obligation.
“So sometime down the line when we’re done with all of the moving, we’ll put the current library on the market.”
City doesn’t have a ‘specific plan or purpose’ for library
Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson confirmed the city is not currently interested in purchasing the old library.
“At this time, it’s more about us not having a specific plan or purpose for what we might ultimately use the building for,” he said. “And obviously, there are holding costs associated with the acquisition of any building.
“So we’re taking a passive approach. We told the library to feel free to put it on the market, and we’ll see what happens. If we’re interested in the future and it’s still available, we’ll come back and talk to them. We don’t want to stand in their way.”
The city does own the primary parking lot to the south of the library and plans to use that for various parking needs.
Hanson noted the parking lot’s close proximity to the Galesburg Public Safety Building, saying, “Our intent now that the library is out is to re-utilize that space for public safety building parking, staff, fleets etc.
“We would like to get some of the many vehicles that are on the streets surrounding City Hall into a lot.”
In November, a Community Center task force voted 10-1 with one abstention to adopt a proposal that would include utilizing both the Knox County YMCA and the old Galesburg Public Library as a multi-site community center option.
The City Council accepted the proposal but there has been no further discussion on a potential new community center.
Knox County Board Chairman Jared Hawkinson said the county explored the potential use of the library but has decided to pursue other options to alleviate overcrowding at the Knox County Courthouse.
“We toured the facility thoroughly to see if it would be worthwhile for our needs, but it just wasn’t something that was appealing to us,” Hawkinson said.
Hawkinson said the county continues to pursue the purchase of the former Wells Fargo Bank building at 50 E. Main St. Relocating from the courthouse to the new facility on the Public Square would be the offices of county clerk, recorder and treasurer, in addition to the veterans commission and assessor from the annex building.
Library treasurer: Sale proceeds will help fund new building
Reichel said the library will be listed with a real estate agent “within the next couple of months.”
In 2021, the library announced it had been awarded the Public Library Construction Act Grant from the Illinois State Library. The $15.3 million grant will fund 75% of the construction costs for the library’s new building. To date, the library has raised more than $4 million through the Galesburg Public Library Foundation Capital Campaign.
“It’s in fairly good shape and could be used for multiple things,” Reichel said.
“We’re in good shape (financially), but we’re not exactly rolling in dough, either. So we can very well use the money from the sale of the old library.”
