Stinson Memorial Public Library District

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Stinson Memorial Public Library District Stinson Memorial Public Library District was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and soon after in 1914 Mr. Ms.

History of Stinson Memorial Library District

Established in 1914, the Stinson Memorial Library has a rich history made possible by the generous endowment given by Robert Burns Stinson. Stinson, a civil war veteran, settled in Anna after serving in the 60th Infantry of the Army of the Republic. Stinson, a prominent community member, left $50,082 to the City of Anna to establish a library. The endowment funds were invested in local commerce by the acting Library Board of Trustees. After a decade, the profits were used towards the construction of the library. Walter Burley Griffin was appointed architect of the library. An advocate of using materials indigenous to the area, Griffin's use of limestone is one of the compelling features of the library’s structure. In 1912, the same year Griffin is appointed the architect for the Stinson Memorial Library, he won the Australian Federal Capital City Design Competition. Griffin would later go on to be widely renowned for his prairie-style architectural works. In the years since it’s open, there have been few structural changes made to the library itself. In June of 1978, the library was included in the National Register of Historic Places. Stinson Memorial Library was first run by Lueva Montgomery (1914-1918) who was proceeded by local Miss Helen Louise Grear (1919 -1927). Corita Spann Alden ran the facility between 1927 – 1942 and was followed by Miss Mary Bacon who served Stinson Library from 1942 – 1990. Robert Hafeman served as library director from 1990 – 2001. Under his administration, the Stinson Library was expanded into the Stinson Memorial Public Library District. The district’s service area now reached to include most of Union County. It was during this time that library branches open in Alto Pass and Cobden. The library district transitioned into utilizing an automated library system and modernized material sharing. Lisa Livesay ran the library district from 2001 - 2020 and incorporated digital materials as well as partnered to offer library services at the Wolf Lake Community Center and later at Shawnee High School. Sarah Watkins became the Library District’s Director in 2021 and is working to continue the legacy of previous Stinson Librarians. Currently, the library district has two locations, the Stinson Memorial Library and Cobden Branch Library. It is a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System and participates in resource sharing across Illinois.

Have you made your weekend plans? Join local author, Sarah Raganyi, at Noon tomorrow for a reading from her new book, "O...
10/02/2026

Have you made your weekend plans?

Join local author, Sarah Raganyi, at Noon tomorrow for a reading from her new book, "Oil in Water."

It's Pokémon Club Day!
10/01/2026

It's Pokémon Club Day!

09/30/2026
Local Author Mel Watkin has generously donated a portion of her book sales to the Stinson Library. Pick up your copy tod...
09/30/2026

Local Author Mel Watkin has generously donated a portion of her book sales to the Stinson Library. Pick up your copy today!

It's almost October! And just look at all the fun we have planned at your local library this month!
09/30/2026

It's almost October! And just look at all the fun we have planned at your local library this month!

Dr. Clover Johnson guided participants in an inspiring exploration of how Harriet Tubman’s grit, bravery, and wit contin...
09/29/2026

Dr. Clover Johnson guided participants in an inspiring exploration of how Harriet Tubman’s grit, bravery, and wit continue to resonate in our communities today. Participants created a community map and discovered how these qualities connect us to history, to one another, and to the world around us.

This special presentation was sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Midwest and Artspace Southern Illinois.

https://www.artspacesouthernillinois.org/eventscalendar?fbclid=IwY2xjawUnSMlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWY0b25DYlNSRG1ldWZsWWlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeZiVhrdN-JaL3kidVJZhnaDT0rdamHD4-cTrpBb081mGRGHgwnNGGMlu0yoA_aem_qqnK0e4leR_igHDbx157rg

Wow! What a turn out for Crafternoon! We made pony bead keychains and some of them even glow in the dark! Join us next t...
09/28/2026

Wow! What a turn out for Crafternoon! We made pony bead keychains and some of them even glow in the dark! Join us next time when we make custom reusable treat bags!

Address

409 S Main Street
Anna, IL
62906

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+16188332521

Website

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