Cordova District Library History

Cordova's first library was established as a Reading Room in 1876. By 1878 the decision was made to reorganize under state regulations and have a Township Library and Reading Room.  A room in his home was offered by W.K. Dean for $5.00 per month for use to.  In September of 1881, it was reported that the Library had 351 books. Half were fiction, a fourth religious and a fourth historical and miscellaneous.
   

A new library building was built in 1916. By January 1917 the number of books was over 4,000 with emphasis placed on children's books and school reference material. 

In 1966 we became members of River Bend Library System.  In 1991, we formed as the Cordova District Library.  In 1997 the old building was taken down due to serious structural problems.  The new Cordova District library was completed and opened for business on January 10, 1998. In July 2004, River Bend Library System merged with Northern Illinois and Heritage Trails Library Systems to form the Prairie Area Library System, or PALS.

Now in 2007, the number of materials has grown to over 15,000.  We are still as they were in 1876 aiming to fulfill one of the most important needs of any people, enriching their lives through the reading of books.