Eola Road Branch
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Available for download.
The Aurora Public Library District is proud to announce that three of its staff members have been selected as 2025 ALA Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association. This prestigious national honor supports the advancement of diversity in the library profession through scholarships and professional development.
The recipients — Mariana Guerrero, Shaheen Kapambwe and Zeel Parikh — were chosen for their commitment to equitable access, community engagement, and leadership in library services. Each will receive a scholarship to support their graduate studies in library and information science.
Mariana has been part of the Aurora Public Library District for over 13 years serving in various roles such as Library Assistant, Spanish Programmer and Elementary School Services Coordinator. She plans to continue her MLIS at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Shaheen joined APLD in 2024 serving in the Library Assistant role within the Adult Services department and will be attending Simmons University.
Zeel has been with APLD for 2 years as a Library Assistant and continues to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“This is an incredible achievement for our team and a reflection of their passion for inclusive service,” said Michaela Haberkern, Executive Director of the Aurora Public Library District. “We’re thrilled to see their dedication recognized at the national level.”
The ALA Spectrum Scholarship Program has supported more than 1,300 scholars since its founding in 1997. The addition of these three awardees reinforces Aurora Public Library District’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and the future of librarianship.
The Aurora Public Library District was selected as the recipient of the Kane County Bar Association’s (KCBA) prestigious Liberty Bell Award at the 2025 KCBA Annual Dinner. This nationally recognized award is bestowed on a non-attorney individual or community organization who has promoted a better understanding of the law, encouraged a greater respect for the law and the courts, who stimulates a sense of civic responsibility, and who contributes to good government within the community.
This award was presented recognizing the library’s court support and access initiatives with the Lawyers in the Library program series, participation in the statewide pilot program of Court Access Library Centers, and its partnerships with outside agencies to host expungement clinics and immigration consultations.
Hallē Eichert, Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center Director says “The work of the Aurora Public Library District staff in ensuring that your constituents have access to and understanding of the court system has been nothing less than remarkable.”
The Lawyers in the library series offers free, monthly consultations at the Santori library. The library, in partnership with the Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center, provides a pro-bono walk-in service for legal assistance. Two attorneys volunteer their time with a limit of 15 minutes per person. Library customers are welcome to bring paperwork and legal questions. The Court Access Library Centers pilot program’s goal is to break down barriers for people without lawyers and limited resources in an effort to easily access legal information and assistance at their local public library. The Aurora Public Library District is one of 18 libraries across the state of Illinois participating in the program and offers assistance with finding and filling court documents, attending court hearings via Zoom, and finding general information about court rules and procedures.
Library Executive Director Michaela Haberkern says “The legal system can be confusing and intimidating, and it’s important and meaningful work to make access easier for everyone who needs it.”
Previous recipients of the award include Linda Hagemann (2024), Lori Herte (2023), Nancylee Brown (2022), and Jenny Maxwell (2021).
Comcast joined Aurora Public Library District officials today to announce a $30,000 donation to the Aurora Public Library District Foundation to fund a digital navigator program at Santori Library, located at 101 S. River St. in Aurora. Digital navigators are professionals who link residents to resources that can help them build the digital skills needed to succeed in school, participate in the workforce and connect to programs that can help them access and pay for broadband Internet service at home, including:
• Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program which can provide up to $30 per month toward the cost of eligible households’ Internet and mobile bills;
• Internet Essentials, a Comcast program that provides low-cost Internet service at home to eligible low-income households with students of all ages, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and public housing residents. Internet Essentials has helped 1.9 million Illinois residents connect to the Internet at home since it launched in 2011. The ACP can cover the full cost of Internet Essentials, making it free for eligible households... read more.
The Library has a weekly feature in The Voice. The Voice is an independent newspaper based in Aurora which is designed to give both individuals and groups avenues of expression, a voice.
The Voice serves selected areas in northern and north central Illinois, including, but not limited to the Fox River Valley in Kane, Kendall, DuPage, and Will Counties. The Voice serves other counties and is available online, through mail subscription, and on newsstands.
If you haven’t been to Aurora Public Library District’s Eola Road Branch in a while, there’s a lot going on! So much has happened since we first shared our renovation plans with the community summer of 2024. Thanks to all the work that’s been done, we are happy to announce that Phase 2 of construction will begin very soon and that means additional changes for the branch. With renovations estimated for completion in July 2026, we’re excited to finally see our years of planning come to life!... read more
In a perfect world, libraries would be open 24/7. But alas, our books (and staff) need their beauty sleep. Luckily, our digital collection never closes! With your Aurora Public Library District (APLD) card, you have round-the-clock access to amazing resources like PressReader—no matter the time or day. Whether you’re a night owl catching up on global news or just want to flip through your favorite magazine on a lazy Sunday morning, PressReader is ready when you are. It’s just one of the many ways APLD connects you to the world, anytime, anywhere... read more
The Aurora Public Library District is a place full of possibilities—whether you’re diving into a new book, attending a program, or exploring a new skill. But tucked within its walls is one space where imagination and innovation come to life in a hands-on way: the Makerspace. As we prepare to expand this service in the coming years, we’re opening the doors wider than ever—and we want you to see what’s inside... read more
If you are looking for a unique and enriching experience to broaden your understanding of Native American culture, history, and values, the Aurora Public Library District has a program for you! The Santori Library is proud to welcome back local storyteller Gerald Savage, also known as Chief White Winnebago, at 3 p.m. Monday, July 14 for an afternoon of traditional stories from the Ho-Chunk people... read more
What if you could earn prizes, explore literary worlds, and walk into high school with the confidence of a seasoned reader? That’s the mission behind the Aurora Public Library District’s 100 Books Before High School program. Designed to inspire and reward young readers in grades fourth through eighth, this program invites students to read 100 books at their own pace, while gaining valuable skills and discovering the joy of reading along the way... read more
The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is committed to empowering families through programs and resources that foster learning, strengthen connections, and draw on community support. This month we are holding our second annual Homeschool Book Swap and Info Panel Friday, June 27, at the Santori Library to help with that effort. It’s an event designed to bring families together, share valuable resources, and celebrate the vibrant homeschool community in Aurora... read more