La Grange Library Celebrates 1 Million Patrons

The celebrated a significant milestone as its 1 millionth patron walked through its doors on Monday at 2:30 p.m.

The excitement at the library on Monday was contagious as patrons arrived and asked if they were the winner. As the library got closer to its number, a small crowd began to wait around the doors.

Dietre Hayward and her son Jack had the honor of being number 1 million (and 1 million and one respectively) on Monday as balloons dropped around them.

"The look on their faces was wonderful," said Nikki Zimmermann, marketing coordinator at the library. "[Hayward] kind of paused at the door at first when she saw this group of faces looking at her, waiting for her to walk in."

The milestone is an important one for the library, Zimmermann said, by showing how popular the library is in La Grange and how much use it gets from residents. A whopping 82 percent of residents in La Grange have a library card, compared to an average of around 50 percent statewide, Zimmermann said.

While La Grange may be a well-read community, people use the library for more than just checking out books. Over 20,000 people attended library events last year, which includes a summer reading program for kids and cooking demonstrations.

"We're so thrilled by how much people in the community embrace the library," Zimmermann said. "Our programming really lets you try something out totally free. It can broaden your horizons."

Zimmermann said she's also hoping that the library's big number will show La Grange's business community how vibrant programming is at the library to encourage more particpation. Recently the library has held a cupcake decorating class led by and hosted dance instructors from to teach residents the charleston and the foxtrot.

"We've got a lot going on and it's always a lot of fun," Zimmermann said.

Let the countdown begin again!