New lighting brightens; saves dollars

Rockford Public Library today announced that it has completed installation of new energy efficient indoor lighting fixtures at the Main Library as a result of a $72,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation. The lighting upgrades are expected to improve lighting within the building and help the library move to more environmentally-friendly facilities.

“We are slowly making important upgrades to our Main Library and branches to ensure that our buildings continue to be safe, clean and efficient,” said Frank Novak, Executive Director of the Rockford Public Library. “New lighting goes a long way toward improving the overall appearance of the building and saving energy. We are very grateful for the grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation which allowed us to complete this project.”

The Rockford Public Library consists of the Main Library downtown and five branch locations. The library has operated without a referendum since 1984, so major capital upgrades come from the annual operating budget. Over the past two years, Rockford Public Library has renovated the Northeast Branch, installed a new roof at Main, and partially renovated the first floor of the Main Library. According to Novak, renovations are slated annually for the foreseeable future. The library has also made public its intentions to pursue a new east side branch to serve the growing population and demand for library services on that side of town.                                    

About the Library

The Rockford Public Library, founded in 1872 as the second library in Illinois, currently has six facilities, including the Main Library and five Branch Libraries. The Rockford Public Library’s mission is to enhance community life and development by informing, educating, entertaining, and providing cultural enrichment to all people of all ages by collecting information to address the diverse interests of our dynamic community.

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