ROODHOUSE LIBRARY celebrating 100th birthday

By Editor | May 6, 2026 |

The Roodhouse Public Library has seen many changes over the last 100 years, including two additions. They will hold an open house on May 16 at the Park across the street from 1 to 3 p.m. (Carmen Ensinger/River County News)

By Carmen Ensinger

The Roodhouse Public Library will be celebrating it’s 100th birthday on May 16 with an open house birthday celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Roodhouse Square, directly across from the Library.
Library Board Member Beth Burrus summed up the importance of the rural library in one sentence.
“I think this library is the hidden gem of Roodhouse,” she said. “There is so much that this little library does, much of which a lot of people don’t even know about.”
Members of the Library Board did a little research into the history of the Library and found that it was organized through the efforts of the Roodhouse School auxiliary in 1925.
They canvased the community for money or pledges during December of 1925 and collected donations ranging from 10 cents to $50 and the library was started with a fund of $1,200, plus donated books and equipment.
The doors to the library opened on May 20, 1926 with an open house and tour of the library. The first day of service was the following day when the first book was able to be checked out. At that time, there was a selection of around 1,000 books on hand.
The idea behind the need for a library by the school auxiliary was that the public library was second only to the school as a source of education in the community and books are a vital necessity to the people in a small city.
The library was under the direction of the school auxiliary until the control and direction was turned over to the City of Roodhouse.
Rilla Armstrong served as the first temporary librarian at a rate of $1 per day until October of 1926 when Eleanor Wilkinson was hired for $10 per week. Wilkinson was librarian until June of 1930.
The library has remained at its same location since its opening.
At first the committee was going to open the library on Palm Street in an upstairs room of the Dolan Building. However, these plans were changed when the Rev. W. Edward Raffety, a former Roodhouse resident offered rent-free, the front room of a brick house on Franklin Street on the square (the present location).
The rent-free arrangement continued for a year and a half until Raffety felt that he must charge $5 per month to help pay for $518 taxed for the pavement in front of the building and $51.80 taxed each year.
In 1928, the building was leased from Raffety for a term of three years at $60 per year.
In 1934, Raffety deeded the building to the city with several conditions and restrictions.
The building could be enlarged as needed and if the building or any part of it was not used for library purposes, it was to be devoted to activities for children and young people. Portions of the building could be rented and the income used by the library, but there were to be no intoxicating liquors or intoxicated persons allowed on the premises.
In addition, the mayor was to appoint a board to have full control of the library and there was to be a bronze tablet placed on the outside of the building bearing the words, “Neighborly House to My Father and Mother Presented to the City of Roodhouse by W. Edward Raffety, May 8, 1934.”
For decades, the library grew alongside the community, adapting to changes and changing times while remaining true to its mission.
In 1978, the library expanded its base by purchasing the adjoining building to the west at a cost of $10,000. After $8,000 worth of remodeling, it opened as a children’s room. Then, in 1983, the east room of the library was remodeled to be used as a reference room.
In 1994 another important transformation with the help of Library Services and a Construction Act Grant along with matching funds from the City of Roodhouse, the building was renovated to become handicap accessible and a new room was added to the northeast corner, opening the library more fully to all members of the community.
As technology advanced, the Roodhouse Public Library embraced new forms of access in public computers, internet access, multimedia collections and educational programs, while still preserving the joy of reading and lifelong learning throughout its history.
The library has been supported by dedicated librarians, trustees and volunteers, city leaders and patrons, each generation contributing to its success.
“Now, 100 years after it opened its doors, this library remains what it has always been,” Library Board Member Rebecca Buttitta said. “A place of learning, connection and community built by the people of Roodhouse, for the people of Roodhouse. Here is to the next 100 years.”
The current librarian is Tracy Wells, who has been Head Librarian since 2022. While they are always trying to keep up with the latest in technology and programming, their latest purchase is one that the adults will love.
“Our latest purchase is a genealogy program through Ancestry.com for Libraries,” she said. “It is an online program where you can research your ancestry, but you have to come into the library to use it – you can’t use it at home. We expect that to be very popular.”
They have a very active children’s program with Story Hour every Friday at 11:15 a.m. that includes craft time. For the June 12 Story Hour Llama Llama will be coming.
They also have STEM kits for the older kids and the very popular TONIES, which are children’s story players.
“These are very popular, especially with the parents,” Wells said. “Most of them come in and check them out to see if their kids like them before they go ahead and buy them because they aren’t cheap. The kids – they love them.”
They also conduct a Summer Reading Program every summer and hold numerous craft and other programs throughout the year for both adults and children.
They also have audio books, movies, laptops to rent out, books, magazines and literally thousands of volumes of books on every imaginable subject. Also, for those who are not inclined to read, they have puzzles to check out and work at home.
As a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System, virtually any books in the world can be obtained from any library that is a member of the system.
For those who like to delve into the past, they have issues of the local newspaper on microfiche.
Members of the Roodhouse Public Library Board of Directors are: Sharon Sitton, President; Mike Harper, Treasurer; Kathy Bridges, Secretary and Board Members Rick Bridges, Beth Burrus, Rebecca Buttitta, Beth Huffines and Jo Evans.
The library is located at 220 West Franklin St., on the Square.