Naperville Public Library has a rich history deeply intertwined with the city’s development, growing from a single bequeathed library to a thriving three-branch system. While the original Nichols Library and the Naper Blvd. Library laid the foundation, the Naperville Public Library 95th Street branch represents a significant chapter in the library’s commitment to serving the expanding south side of Naperville. Understanding the journey of Naperville Public Library helps appreciate the vital role the 95th Street branch plays in the community today.
From a Visionary Gift to a Growing System
The story begins with James Nichols, a man who understood the transformative power of books despite a challenging childhood marked by hardship and limited access to education. Born in Germany in 1851 and later immigrating to the United States, Nichols overcame adversity to become a professor and author. Recalling his own youthful lack of books, on his deathbed in 1895, Nichols bequeathed $10,000 to Naperville with a clear purpose: to establish a library “so that no boy or girl should be without books, as he had been.”
This generous gift materialized into the Nichols Library, which opened in 1898 on Washington Street. Starting with 700 books and under the guidance of dedicated librarians like Edna Goss and Hannah Ditzler, the library quickly became a community hub. Later librarians, including Matie Egermann and Miriam Fry, further expanded its services and collections, navigating periods of growth and change. Egermann even established a city museum within the library, showcasing local history, which later evolved into the Naper Settlement. Fry oversaw an addition to the Nichols Library in 1962 as the need for more space became apparent with Naperville’s increasing population.
Expanding to Meet Community Needs: Naper Blvd. and Beyond
By the 1980s, it was clear that a new, larger library was necessary. Under the leadership of Roger Pearson, the new Nichols Library opened in 1986, and the library system began embracing technological advancements, automating its card catalog in 1989. Naperville’s growth continued at a rapid pace, necessitating further expansion. The Naper Blvd. Library opened its upper floor in 1992, and eventually expanded to occupy two full floors, demonstrating the library’s proactive response to community needs.
However, the burgeoning south side of Naperville still required better access to library services. Recognizing this, library administration began searching for a suitable location for a third branch. Donna Dziedzic, who initially joined as interim director in 1996, played a crucial role in this period of expansion. Under her leadership, and following remodeling projects at the Nichols and Naper Blvd. locations, land was acquired for a new building dedicated to serving the southern part of the city.
The Naperville Public Library 95th Street Branch: A Modern Library for a Growing Community
This vision culminated in the opening of the Naperville Public Library 95th Street branch on September 21, 2003. This state-of-the-art facility provided residents in the southern Naperville area with convenient access to the extensive resources and services of the Naperville Public Library system. The 95th Street Library quickly became an integral part of the community, offering a wide range of programs, collections, and technology to meet the diverse needs of its patrons.
Following Dziedzic’s retirement, John Spears and later Julie Rothenfluh continued to lead the library system, ensuring all three branches, including the Naperville Public Library 95th Street location, remained modern and adaptable. Rothenfluh oversaw a significant renovation project from 2016-2018, enhancing all three locations. Dave Della Terza, taking over as director in 2019, faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the library system to innovate and reimagine services to support the community during uncertain times. In 2022, Della Terza spearheaded a rebranding effort, introducing a new Naperville Public Library logo that visually represents all three branches – Nichols, Naper Blvd., and 95th Street – symbolizing the unified system serving Naperville.
The Naperville Public Library 95th Street branch stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment of Naperville Public Library to evolve and expand alongside the city. From its humble beginnings as a single library born from James Nichols’s generous bequest, the library system has grown to encompass three modern branches, with the 95th Street Library playing a vital role in serving the south Naperville community and ensuring that, true to Nichols’s vision, no child – and no community member – is without books and access to knowledge.
