• 1918
The Library was started by Miss Florence Smith along with her group of Camp Fire Girls. The Girls went from house to house collecting donations to start a library. They collected about $100.00 for the new library. The library was located in a small room in the back of the old Village Hall. It was located at 4 Crystal Street.
• 1951
Mrs. Elden Weaver led a movement to become tax-supported by referendum. A six member board was elected.
• 1954
The Library was offered the larger room of the Village Hall when the fire department moved to their new location. The Library remodeled and redecorated and moved into the new room with the help of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
• 1955
The Village moved its location to 441 Main Street. They offered the Library the entire first floor at 4 Crystal Street.
• 1976
The Library rented a store two doors down from the main building to alleviate the crowded conditions. The rented space was also used for board meetings and juvenile story hours and programs. Also in 1976, a referendum was passed for a new building that would be part of the planned Community Center.
• 1978
With the help of 100 volunteers, the Library moved to its new location at 255 Stonegate Road.
• 1985
The children’s collection was moved to the remodeled lower level. New shelves were added to the adult section and also a serious study room was set aside.
• 1986
The Library acquired its first Apple computer and printer for patron use.
• 1995
The Cary Public Library became the Cary Area Public Library District as a result of a referendum passed to include unincorporated Cary and a small portion of unincorporated Crystal Lake.
• 1995
The District also became a member of the North Suburban Library System.
• 1997
Ground was broken for the new Library donated by Thomas Decker, a local developer. The building bears his name on the front.
• 1999
The Cary Area Public Library District moved to its new location at 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary, Illinois in March 1999 and was dedicated on July 30, 1999.
• 2001
The Library celebrated 50 years of service to the community. We continue to grow each year and add new items daily. We strive to stay current with the needs of the community by providing internet access and new and upcoming popular items for loan.
• 2009
The Library celebrated its 10 year anniversary in the new building on Three Oaks. The building was updated by replacing worn carpeting, roofing, paint, lighting, and furniture.
• 2016
The Library underwent a major renovation. We added a Drive-up book return and pick-up window, study rooms, a conference room, Makerspace/multi-purpose room, an additional self-checkout machine, a new automated return system, and a new shelving layout. One of the things patrons wanted from the Library is increased programming. We converted a staff office and the little-used storytime room into one dividable space to use for more programs for all ages, which became the multi-purpose room.
• 2023
June 2023, the Library replaced our Service Center and Tech desks with height-adjustable options which allows us to better serve all of our patrons, including children and patrons using wheelchairs. We also replaced the 24-year old furniture in our staff work areas and added two more staff workstations.