Prairie Area Library System Competitors

Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first-ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S., and third in the world, by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, visit chipublib.org.

Located along the Mississippi River in the heart of the Midwest, Moline, Illinois, is home to more than 43,000 residents and part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area of more than 350,000 people. The City of Moline provides essential services that support a vibrant and welcoming community, from public safety and infrastructure to parks, utilities, neighborhood services and economic development. With access to I-74, I-80 and I-88 and nearly 37.4 million people within a 300-mile radius, Moline is strategically positioned for business, investment and growth.

Our strategic priorities include School Success, Express Creativity, Feed Your Imagination, and Welcome to America. We’re dedicated to providing excellent customer service in a diverse urban area. Our 97,000-square foot main library which opened in 2015 includes a makerspace and a media production lab. We also have two branches and a bookmobile. We serve six school districts in four counties, and our bookmobile provides library services to students in East Aurora School District 131.