I believe that libraries are, at their heart, places of possibility. This past year has shown us how deeply our Schaumburg Township District Library community values learning, connection, and access. But, even more importantly, it reminded us that our work here is never finished.
In an evolving world, we too must evolve. Guided by our strategic plan under the pillars of Building Connections, Being Future Ready, and Being Agile, we remain laser-focused on preparing your Library for tomorrow while meeting today's needs. This involves expanding access to technology and resources, designing programs that reflect our community's diversity, and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and empowered here. This vision came to life in tangible ways last year, including a successful second floor renovation at our Central location that created more welcoming spaces and new services, along with an added accessibility ramp connecting our space to the active and vibrant Town Square. We also maintained fiscal responsibility to ensure every dollar we steward serves our diverse community, even as we plan for future capital needs.
None of this would be possible without our extraordinary staff. Their creativity and openness toward the journey ahead make our Library not just a place of service but a place of inspiration. It is their daily commitment that turns vision into reality, and I am deeply grateful for their dedication.
I also want to acknowledge our Board of Trustees, elected by our community to guide this institution with wisdom and care. Their leadership, together with our strategic plan, ensures that your Library remains both grounded in its mission and responsive to the needs of those we serve.
The story of any library is always evolving, and the most exciting chapters are still ahead for all of us. With our staff's dedication, board leadership, and community's trust, we are prepared to move forward with purpose and hope. Executive Director, Annie Miskewtich
We are three locations serving approximately 130,000 residents in Schaumburg Township, including portions of Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.
Each branch offers nearly everything patrons can find at the Central Location. The Branches are conveniently located in neighborhoods, providing access to a large collection, holds pick-up, computers, study and quiet spaces, and programs for all ages.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS
We are a community connector, actively removing barriers to access and meeting people in our Library and in our neighborhoods. Outreach remains a vital part of our Library’s mission. We are committed to building meaningful connections that help residents learn about and easily access the resources, services, and opportunities we provide.
Community Care
We’re proud to partner with Schaumburg Police Department’s Social Services Division to offer on-site support at all Library locations. The visiting Social Services staff offered sessions and shared resources to address food insecurity, housing needs, mental health concerns, and provide employment assistance.
The visitors that I interacted with were so grateful for the resources and appreciated having this service available. I think it’s so important that the library is prioritizing social services and really connecting with the community and meeting them where they’re at. - Evelyn Ramos, Social Worker
ESL In Action
Our English as a Second Language resources and classes are very popular. Staff have helped many people feel more confident in conversations, prepare for their citizenship exams, and connect with others in classes to feel welcome.
Full Circle Impact
Parvaneh was a student and now tutors others new to the community. A retired engineering professor from Iran, Parvaneh attended ESL Conversation Club programs at Schaumburg Library. This helped her while she was preparing to become an American citizen. As a way to give back, she now tutors in our Read to Learn program and is helping others improve their English reading skills.
More to Come
Our robust ESL and Citizenship programs, in partnership with District 214 Continuing Education Program, have helped numerous people on their citizenship journey. Paulina gained the confidence and support she needed to pass the citizenship exam by working with staff and using our resources.
Our Literacy Coordinator, Karla A., was awarded the ALA Building Library Capacity Grant for 2025–2026. The $10,000 grant will support the expansion of our Conversation Club services to assist patrons preparing for citizenship, seeking employment, or raising young children. It will also create opportunities for ESL students to share their cultural backgrounds through inclusive, community-centered Library programs.
Town Square Events
The highlight of the summer season are the live music events in Town Square every Monday evening! These family-friendly concerts are very popular and attract large crowds to enjoy great music and entertainment. We hosted five concerts, with over 5,000 in attendance!
Comments from our followers on Facebook
Love all the concerts. Thank you for all the joy you give us! - Kris L. We love the Monday night concerts! Thanks! - Angela P. The Schaumburg library always has a great band and a great Party! It's always my summer Monday night! - DanZman B.
Hundreds of Monthly Programs
This year, our team brought learning, creativity, and connection to life through more than 1,100 Adult programs and 1,860 programs for Kids and Teens across all three locations. From fun to educational (and everything in between), our staff are passionate about creating meaningful experiences that bring our community together.
From September through January, the Arcade Age Exhibit brought nostalgia and hands-on fun to our Central location. Presented by the Cradle of Aviation and LI Retro, the exhibit explored the history of arcade games and their lasting influence on our culture. Visitors could play and enjoy classic games like Q*bert, Street Fighter II, and Ms. Pac-Man.
Adult Program Coordinator Chris C, partnered with the League of Women Voters and 27 area libraries to bring in WGN political analyst Paul Lisnek. Paul spoke to a crowd of 90 attendees in person, with an additional 600 online.
Our adult programs were a highlight this year. From history and health to genealogy, book discussions, game nights, travel, and more, staff thoughtfully planned a wide range of offerings for our community. With more than 1,100 adult programs and over 32,600 attendees, these programs brought people together to explore new ideas, share experiences, and enjoy time together.
We offer teens in our community the opportunity to volunteer at the Library. Last year's programs enabled 300 young patrons to earn a total of 1,555 service hours.
Teens in our community can be seen volunteering at the Library during Summer Challenge and at various programs throughout the year. The Teen Record Label released 99 new songs and welcomed 23 new teens to the program. This year, people in 45 different countries streamed songs composed by the Teens, with India and Germany having the most streams outside of the United States.
Community Outreach
Pop-Up Libraries Around Town
Outreach remains a vital part of our Library’s mission. We are committed to building meaningful connections that help residents learn about and easily access the resources, services, and opportunities we provide. This past year, staff collaborated with more than 128 community organizations, with a particular focus on bringing technology support and programming into senior living facilities.
FUTURE READY
After a year-long renovation project, the newly finished second floor opened to the public in May 2024. Our goals were to address our community’s growing needs and create updated, innovative spaces with a modern look that still reflects the building's original prairie-style architecture.
What an amazing public library with some really nice coworking spaces, conference rooms, study rooms, innovation lab, and so much more. The recent renovation on the second floor has really made this public library a great third space for so many folks.
The Schaumburg Library has seen impressive updates over the past couple years - it looks and feels fantastic! The layout is super intuitive: downstairs houses adult fiction, movies, music, and a large kids’ section, while the upstairs is perfect for nonfiction, self-help, and educational materials. There’s plenty of seating for reading or working, especially upstairs... Definitely recommend visiting and getting lost in some books there.
Great modern space to relax/study/read...The staff is super helpful and they have some good resources for local employment and involvement. Also, the new renovations upstairs are beautiful!
Renovation Project
- Architect: Product Architecture + Design
- Construction: Featherstone Inc.
- Timeline: June 2023 through May 2024
- Budget: $11 million
Innovation Hub
One of the premier new spaces is the Innovation Hub. This is a dynamic space where people can explore a wealth of tools and resources for innovative projects. From 3D printers and laser cutters to sewing machines and jewelry kits, people of all skill levels can come work in this self-led space.
Thousands of patrons have come to work on projects during open hours. We’ve seen many creative projects, from 3D printing and laser cutting to sewing and jewelry making. It’s truly become a place to learn, create, and connect with others.
We have received so many positive comments since the Grand Opening in September 2024, which officially introduced the new spaces to the public.
Thank you so much for adding the Innovation Hub. My crafting stuff is put away while I'm remodeling, so I had the opportunity to try it for the first time. I am so impressed with it and your staff. Love the Innovation Center!! There’s so much to offer! I came from Cary to visit a friend and this is such a wonderful spot for artists and creative minds!
Service with a Smile!
One of the ways we serve the community is by offering one-on-one appointments with staff to assist patrons with projects, technology questions, resumes, job searches, and many other matters. Staff spent individualized time with nearly 350 patrons last year, helping with a variety of subjects.
Local History Room
We’ve collected the stories that shaped our community and dedicated this peaceful space for patrons to explore Schaumburg’s rich history. The expansive heritage collection includes photographs, yearbooks, and newspaper archives. Whether researching family history, a school project, or the community itself, this has become the go-to spot for all things Schaumburg.
More Study Rooms
Study rooms are always in high demand, so we are very excited to have a total of 15 available now. On average, we handle over 2,000 reservations each month! Rooms accommodate from one to eight people and can be reserved for two hours at a time.
Nonfiction Marketplace
The modern space also features a browsable collection of new nonfiction books, biographies, magazines, curated collections for various interests, and ‘nook’ seating for focused study. On most days, tables, computers, and booths are filled with patrons studying or working on whatever is important to them.
Teen Area and Program Room
The teen space was reimagined and moved to a new location on the second floor. It offers space for programs, independent study, or just hanging out with friends. With several gaming monitors, a craft table, and computers, many young adults can be found utilizing this modern and welcoming space. Last year, we hosted 363 teen programs with 5,913 total attendees.
Tech Lab
We have added a new Tech Lab, outfitted with computers and up-to-date technology, to help patrons learn in a collaborative environment. We often find our senior community engaging in classes to learn about their devices or updating their computer skills.
Digital Studios
We installed three studios, equipped with editing software, to enable patrons to fully explore their digital creativity, acquire valuable skills, and maximize the use of library resources. Patrons have used these studios to record interviews, music, podcasts, and YouTube videos.
New Accessibility Ramp
The new ramp was installed and opened in August on the east side of the Central building. This upgrade makes it easier for people using strollers, wheelchairs, or mobility devices to access the Library, especially from Town Square. It also improves traffic flow and makes visits more convenient for families with young children, older adults, and anyone carrying rolling items.
Library Advocacy and Community Support
Donor Wall
Thanks to the Schaumburg Library Art Committee and Friedman Fine Art, a new donor wall was installed in the east vestibule. This vibrant system replaces our old donor wall, highlighting past and present donors with their names engraved on colored bricks that perfectly match our updated building and color scheme.
Level Up Your Library Advocacy
In a time when libraries face increased challenges, we took the opportunity to share key ways the community can support libraries through activism, speaking out, and engaging in civic awareness. We also asked patrons to share their thoughts about why the library is important to them by writing a “BECAUSE” statement. This display was up for several months, and each day new sticky notes appeared with delightful and lovely comments.
AGILE
As an organization, we strive to remain flexible and navigate the complexities of our work, enabling us to respond to the ever-growing needs of our community.
Staff Realignment
Early in the year, the Administration and Leadership teams collaborated with a consultant to implement a realignment process aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing customer service, and increasing staff collaboration and empowerment. The outcome was the formation of a new Adult Services Department by combining two smaller departments, transferring Branch oversight to the Circulation Department, and adjusting roles and titles to better align with this new structure. We also undertook a lengthy process to overhaul our collection development and introduced a centralized collection system managed by the Access Services Department.
We are grateful to the 210 full-time and part-time staff dedicated to serving the community and helping make this a standout library in the Chicago suburbs. We are fortunate to have several longstanding staff members, including one who recently commemorated their 55th work anniversary with us.
Staff Training
We remained true to our staff training goals of continuous improvement, ensuring that staff are empowered to create a positive and inclusive work environment by focusing on communication, collaboration, and training. Over the past year, we have facilitated 7,213 hours of training for our staff, through various means, including Library-led training, conferences, and webinars.
The highlight of the year was having Mychal Threets as our keynote speaker for the In-Service Staff Training. Mychal shared insights on the importance of library joy and how we can take care of ourselves as we strive to serve our community.
Tech Enhancements
The IT Department consistently works to maintain a stable and secure technology environment for our patrons while also providing access to emerging technology when possible, in order to enhance their productivity.
Upgraded Catalog
We launched a brand-new library catalog (replacing the 30-year-old system) with a fresh, user-friendly interface. Searching for favorite books, placing holds, and discovering new titles is now easier than ever.
Concurrent with the new catalog, we introduced a new Library App featuring a mobile-friendly catalog, direct checkout from your device, account access, and program registration.
Automatic Materials Sorter
We added an Automated Materials Handler to help make the check-in process more effective and efficient, allowing Circulation staff to focus their energy on other services. This new machine utilizes modern technology to check in returned materials and then sorts them into designated bins for improved sorting and shelving. Every item in the collection had an RFID tag added, allowing the machine to scan the item and place it in the correct bin. Since its installation in December 2024, we have averaged about 168 items processed per hour, saving numerous staff hours and allowing items to be returned quickly.
Enhanced Computers
We upgraded our public computers with new models, Windows 11, and Office 2024 to offer our patrons a faster, more reliable, and secure experience. The new computers handle modern websites and applications more smoothly, provide better accessibility features, and reduce technical issues, helping users increase their productivity.
Better Wayfinding
We added a high-tech iMap digital kiosk in the lobby to help visitors, especially newcomers, quickly find what they need. After the renovation, the IT Department installed touch-screen tablets at the Innovation Hub, Teen Area, and Technology Lab, enabling patrons to view programs and register on-site.
Financial Overview
Each year, the Library and its Board of Trustees carefully plan how it utilizes public funds to serve our community of about 130,000 residents. Here is a snapshot of where the money comes from and how it is spent.
How the Library Spends Its Money
The Library’s total operating expenses are approximately $16.4 million, which translates to roughly $126 per resident per year.
- Most of the budget, about 7 out of every 10 dollars, goes to staff salaries and benefits. This supports trained and expert librarians, dedicated support staff, and specialized personnel who keep buildings open, assist customers, run programs, and manage collections and technology.
- About 19 percent goes to other operating costs, such as building maintenance, utilities, technology systems, delivery services, and supplies for our three locations.
Library materials make up about 10 percent of the budget, including both digital items like eBooks and databases, and traditional print books and magazines.
Where the Library’s Money Comes From
The Library’s total income is about $18.8 million.
- The vast majority of funding, over 90 percent, comes from local government support. This reflects the community’s ongoing investment in library services.
- The remaining funds come from a mix of sources, including state grants, replacement taxes, small grants, fees, and other receipts.
What This Means for the Community
This funding allows the Library to provide free access to books, technology, programs, learning opportunities, and welcoming spaces for people of all ages. Careful budgeting ensures we are good stewards of public dollars while continuing to meet the evolving needs of our community and prepare for the future.
Quick Glance at Statistics
In 2024–2025, Schaumburg Library continued to be a welcoming, lively destination for the community. From young to old, we reached people through engaging programs, robust collections, and inviting spaces. Visitors discovered more than just books! They used technology, collaborated in meeting and study rooms, learned new skills, and received personalized help from knowledgeable staff. Programs and reading initiatives sparked curiosity and creativity, while everyday services supported work, school, and personal growth. Whether attending a program, using the printers, discovering a new favorite book, or participating in a community event, residents showed that the Library remains an essential part of daily life in Schaumburg. We so look forward to all that we will do together in 2026.