This is a picture for the "Then and Now" page of the LaSalle Public Library. It includes a picture of the LaSalle Public Library as seen from the southwest.. It also includes the following quote by Andrew Carnegie: "There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration."

Link to the What's New page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Catalog page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the About Us page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Using the Library page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Services page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Youth Services page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Collections page of the LaSalle Public Library
Link to the Links page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Then and Now page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the EBranch page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the New Acquisions page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Reference and AskAway page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Electronic Resources page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Centennial Celebration page of the LaSalle Public LibraryLink to the Home Page for the LaSalle Public Library

 

Beginning with construction of the addition to the Library in September 2002, the LaSalle Public Library has undergone a remarkable transformation!  Originally built in 1905/1906 and opened in January of 1907, very few changes were made to the interior or exterior of the building.  Below are some "Then" and "Now" pictures sure to bring back memories of years past and appreciation of the many hours of hard work spent to transform the library into a spectacular and functional library of the 21st century.

Then

 Now

Construction of the LaSalle Public Library in 1905/1906 and the old entrance off of Marquette Street.

View of the new entrance off of Third Street with the old part of the building on the right-hand side of the picture.
Construction of the LaSalle Public Library in 1905/1906 and the old entrance off of Marquette Street. View of the new entrance off of Third Street with the old part of the building on the right-hand side of the picture.
   
A view of the original building from the southeast corner before construction of the addition in 2003.

The LaSalle Public Library after completion of the construction in September 2003, viewed from the southeast corner.
A view of the original building from the southeast corner before construction.   The LaSalle Public Library after completion of the construction in September 2003.
   

The old entry off of Marquette Street. The entryway to the stairs leading to the lower level.   The pie shaped stairs that led to the lower level.

The new entryway on Marquette Street.

The old entry off of Marquette Street.  The center picture and the picture on the right shows the stairwell down to the lower level.

 The new entryway on Marquette Street.  The old inside staircases have been removed.
   

View of the old circulation desk, stacks, and mezzanine in the adult area of the library. Note the columns and the pendant light fixture.

This view shows the entrance from the old part of the building into the addition through the west wall.

View of the old circulation desk, stacks, and mezzanine in the adult area of the library.  Note the columns and the pendant light fixture. Same view.  The mezzanine area was demolished and this view shows the entrance from the old part of the building into the addition through the west wall.
   
While not the original circulation desk, this desk was split in the middle to allow access to adult stack area.

A view of the new circulation desk located on the upper level of the new addition.
While not the original circulation desk, this desk was split in the middle to allow access to adult stack area. A view of the new circulation desk located on the upper level of the new addition.
   
View of the south reading room in the upper level of the original building before renovations. This room was originally the Children's Room when the Library was first built.

A view of the current south reading room. This room now houses the biography collection and comfortable seating.

View of the south reading room in the upper level of the original building.  This room was originally the Children's Room when the Library was first built.

A view of the south reading room.  This room now houses the biography collection and comfortable seating.
   

A view of one of three computers the Library had available in the adult area before 2003.

A view of the eight computers the Library now has available in the adult area.

One of three computers the Library had available in the adult area.

With the completion of the construction, the Library now offers eight public access computers in the adult area.
   
This is a view of Director's office as well as the local history collection.

The study room on the upper level of the Library.
Originally the board room, this room also housed the Director's office as well as the local history collection.

Today, this room on the upper level of the Library is a quiet study room.
   

This is a view of the old north reading room that housed the reference and biography collection.

The Alwin C. Carus Local History and Genealogy Room.
This is a view of the old north reading room that housed the reference and biography collection. The original north reading room now houses the  Local History and Genealogy collection.
   

The lower level of the original Library that housed more of the local history collection.

This is the entry into the new Alwin C. Carus Local History and Genealogy Room with a glass wall and locking door for security purposes.
A portion of the local history collection was on the lower level of the original Library. This is the entry into the new Local History and Genealogy room.  Note: a glass wall and locking door have been added for security purposes.
   

This is the Children's circulation desk in the lower level of the original building.

This is the new Children's Room circulation desk located in the lower level of the addition as you walk in off of Third Street.
Children's circulation desk in the lower level of the original building.  When built the lower level was used for meeting room purposes. The new Children's Room circulation desk located in the lower level of the addition as you walk in off of Third Street.
   

This is the Children's stack area in the lower level of the original building before renovations

This is the new Children's room stack area on the lower level of the addition.
Children's stack area in the lower level of the original building. The new Children's room stack area.
   

This is the stage in the Children's Room in the original building before the 2003 renovations.

This is a picture of the gazebo "book nook" and lower tables for in the present Children's Room.
The stage in the Children's Room in the original building. A gazebo "book nook" and lower tables for our youngest readers.

 

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