The Valmeyer Public Library District began within the Valmeyer Community School Unit 3, sharing space with the school’s library, which had been expanded in 1968. It originated as the Valmeyer Reading Center, established in 1971 by the Valmeyer Women’s Club with support from the Kaskaskia Library System (KLS). Encouraged by KLS Director Edgar Chamberlin, the community successfully passed a referendum in 1983 to create a tax-supported public library, offering greater resources for both the public and the school. By 1984, the library had its governing Board of Trustees, with Portia Stueve appointed as the first Library Director. Over the years, the library flourished with programs such as summer reading, book fairs, and community outreach while steadily integrating technology.

The Great Flood of 1993 became a pivotal moment, forcing the library to evacuate and operate temporarily from school trailers at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. When Valmeyer relocated to higher ground, the new school, opened in 1996, became the library’s home once again, signaling a fresh start. Volunteers worked tirelessly to digitize the collection by 1998, and additional space for technology was added by 1999. Since its inception, the library has been a cultural hub for the community, continually improving its services through the dedicated efforts of its director, trustees, and volunteers, ensuring a bright future for generations to come.

*Anyone living in the Community School District #3 is entitled to a free library card. Once you acquire your library card you can search for books at home at your leisure, order them from home, and receive notification via email when they arrive at the library. All you have to do is pick them up and return them.

300 South Cedar Bluff Drive Valmeyer, IL 62295
(618) 935-2626