Walton himself paying for most of the service, and in April 1905, another proposition to establish a Free Public Library finally carried by a majority vote.

The first Library Board meeting was held on May 2, 1906, in the Village Hall located at the corner of Ellinwood and Lee Streets in Des Plaines, Illinois.

[1] The first Des Plaines Public Library building was constructed on the corner of Miner Street and Graceland Avenue, and was dedicated on October 5, 1907.

During construction of the new city hall and municipal building, the library took up residence on the first floor of the former Des Plaines State Bank.

The north face of the building features aluminum accent panels in aged or patina copper with relief work representing open books.

The library building contains major artworks by Fred Nagelbach, Pae White, Robert Jessup, Michael Hayden and Kristina Lucas, and Joe Walters, funded by donations from community residents and organizations.

The Des Plaines Public Library celebrated its Centennial anniversary in the year 2007, with a number of special events, promotions and exhibits.

[4] In 2014, the Youth Services department began a three-year project to create an expanded early literacy center for families of small children on the second floor.

In 2015, the library began a renovation of multiple spaces throughout the building, working with Lohan Anderson, Troop Contracting and Thomas Interior Systems.

The library will spend $2.4 million of reserve funds to create new instruction, programming, teen, and other public spaces in the building.