Reddick Public Library District

Literacy ... Culture ... Community

Reddick Library is proud to serve its library district! Open seven days a week during the school year and six days a week during the summer, the following items are available for checkout: books, magazines, DVDs, books on CD and mp3 players (called Playaways), music CDs, and eReaders. Also available are downloadable eBooks and audio books. The library staff would love to hear your requests for new materials. The library also offers internet computers and wireless internet access. Please view our events calendar for our adult, children, and teen programming schedules.

History

Opened to the public on September 19, 1888, the library was a gift to the city by William Reddick. Reddick came to the United States from Ireland in 1816, finally settling in the Ottawa area in 1835. Reddick entered politics and became quite prominent, representing LaSalle County in the state senate from 1847-1851 and again in 1870-1873.

In 1860, he built one of the most impressive Italianate residences in the state. Upon his death in 1885, he willed his fine home to the City of Ottawa, together with a substantial endowment, for use as a public library and reading room "... to be known and called by the name of Reddick's Library."

The library offered its serLiteracy ... Culture ... Communityvices from the mansion until February 17, 1975, when a new facility was built to accommodate the library's growing collections and patronage.

Mission

Reddick Public Library District strives to serve its community's needs for literacy, information, recreation, and culture.

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