from the director
Welcome to the 2025 Wheaton Public Library (WPL) Annual Report. We welcomed 410,261 people through our doors and checked out 1,099,164 books, audiobooks, movies, and more.
This report shows the impact WPL has on our community, by providing services in-person and virtually, as well as the unique ways the library is used. We have seen an increase in adults gathering in the library to play games, knit, or socialize, which helps to reduce loneliness and isolation. The Teenspace buzzes with collaboration and DIY crafts, and our Youth Services area serves as a safe, fun space for families to learn and grow. My staff and I strive to develop our spaces based on community needs. The popular "Spotlight" browsing area, created after the fiction collection move, allows patrons to quickly grab newer or trending materials curated from our overall collection or to discover hidden gems. We are thrilled to reopen our newly renovated West Plaza this spring for the community to enjoy the new outdoor furniture and shade structure. We are also working on enhancing the Tech Center and Teenspace areas by reimagining the spaces and adding new furniture and equipment. Finally, we are excited to be launching a Library of Things collection for patrons to check out tools, tech items, and other products. Input from our community is essential to us, and we will be seeking your feedback to shape the goals of our next Vision Plan. As always, my door is open and I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for making the library a place that reads, learns, plays, and grows.
readers' choice awards
Wheaton Public Library is honored to have won the 2025 Daily Herald Readers' Choice for Best Library.
spotlight
This year WPL launched Spotlight, a new destination for readers to discover trending topics, popular titles, and hidden gems. You’ll find materials from across the collection, all in one place. Books, DVDs, and magazines are grouped by topics. If you like to cook (or need inspiration), browse the Cooking section for cookbooks, food magazines, and cooking shows. We hope you discover something new—or maybe something you didn’t know you needed.
Popular Topics
- Armchair Travel
- Domestic Thrillers
- Historical Fiction
- Romance
- World Authors
"I really like how each section has books, videos, and magazines together for each topic. Easy and inspiring!"
shelby van pelt local author fest
It is with great pride that Wheaton Public Library honored and recognized Wheaton author Shelby Van Pelt’s success of her debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures. Written, in part, at the Wheaton Public Library, Remarkably Bright Creatures had a months-long run on the New York Times Best Seller List and will be soon released as a film starring Sally Field.
youth services
Ranked #8 for best Youth Space by Kidlist for the west and northwest suburbs.
Our Youth Services Department is a space for families to explore, learn, and discover together. In 2025, we hosted 659 programs for youth with 38,480 attending these programs. Popular programs from last year include our Noon Year’s Eve Party, Toy Swap, and Jim Gill Concert.
teen services
In 2025, 228 patrons attended the Halloween Haunted Activity House, an event coordinated by teen volunteers.
Our vibrant Teenspace is a hub of activity and connection for our community’s teens. In 2025, we hosted 306 programs for teens with 6,407 attending these events. Popular programs from last year include our Murder Mystery Escape Room, Hunger Games Escape Room, and Halloween Haunted Activity House.
adult services
From concerts on our West Plaza to live painting demonstrations, our adult programming lineup was full of events that connected our patrons with new experiences. In 2025, we hosted 560 programs for adults with 18,075 attending these events. Popular programs from last year include our concert with Kaleidoscope Eyes, Retro Food Fads lecture, and Vatican Splendors lecture.
Hokusai Inspired Summer
Wheaton Public Library welcomed the wave last summer in celebration of Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World at COD's Cleve Carney Museum of Art. The library hosted a variety of companion programs for the community inspired by the exhibit and collaborated with community partners to display a Hokusai-style mural on our West Plaza. The commissioned mural by Artist Rich Lo, recreated The DuPage County Historical Museum and Adams Park Fountain, two iconic Wheaton landmarks in the ukiyo-e style. We’re grateful to have hosted this beautiful mural on our West Plaza, which connects the library to Adams Park and Downtown Wheaton.
great crane wave
Wheaton Public Library displayed the Great Crane Wave: An Homage to Hokusai in our Arts & Culture Center last summer. Created by CJ Wenninger, this ‘origami mosaic’ is composed of folded origami cranes, rice paper, and acrylic paint.