History:

Four Star Public Library was opened as a demonstration library on April 29, 1990 by the Great River Library System and was funded by a federal L.S.C.A. grant. The first library director was Kimberly Dickhut. On November 6, 1990 a referendum establishing the library district was approved by voters. The first location of the library was a small one room building on East South Street. The library moved in June of 1992 to rented space in the First Bankers Trust building. In 1994, the library applied for and received a $76,300 State of Illinois Live and Learn Construction grant for the construction of a new library building. Construction began in the spring of 1995. The total cost of the building project was $221,600. The library opened in the new building in December, 1995 with formal dedication on January 20, 1996. The library is governed by a Board of Library Trustees consisting of seven elected members and is supported by local property taxes, state and private grants, and donations. Four Star Public Library District serves the 4,670 residents of a 200 square mile area in northwest Adams, County, IL. The geographical area includes the villages of Mendon, Lima, Loraine, and Ursa and the unincorporated surrounding areas and is contiguous with the Unit School District #4.

Mission Statement:

To provide an access point for all persons to the world of information.  To make available the resources needed to fill the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the individuals and groups of the Four Star Public Library District while promoting the right to access knowledge through expansion and cooperation with other libraries.