Sponsorships and Awards

Sponsorships Available

The Waukegan Public Library is primarily funded through tax dollars.  It is through public and private partnerships, fundraising and sponsorship that we can go the extra distance to provide our tax payers with the buildings, programs and services they deserve.

The Waukegan Public Library has the following sponsorship opportunities available:

Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival 

The Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival is fast becoming a yearly tradition among people of all ages. In tribute to the celebrated author, the Waukegan Public Library launched the annual festival in 2006. Each festival, held in October, features a matinee for school kids and an evening performance for those age 12 and older.  Since field trips are cost-prohibitive to many schools, the library strives to keep its matinee price very low, just $5 per student, by soliciting sponsorships.  Your gift will help children develop an appreciation for both classic literature and the art of storytelling.  Get more information on this year’s festival.    Print sponsorship form.  Sponsorship forms may be mailed to Linda Gfesser at the address listed on the bottom of the form.  For more information on this sponsorship opportunity, please contact Elizabeth Stearns at 847-623-2041 ext. 256 or elizabethstearns [at] waukeganpl [dot] info. 

Concerts

The Courtyard Concerts and First Friday Concerts are free concerts offered to the community at the library to enjoy the arts and musical talents of our area.  For more information on the concerts or a sponsorship, please contact Elizabeth Stearns at 847-263-2041 ext. 256 or elizabethstearns [at] waukeganpl [dot] info.   See current concert lineup.

Exhibits

Sponsor an Exhibit in the library and help bring to life subjects that inform and entertain our community.  Some of our major exhibits include dinosaurs and sea life – “Dig the Dinos” and “Under the Sea” in the Early Learning Center and “Lake Michigan – A Great Lake” in the Children’s Department.  Smaller exhibits that have been on display include an interactive video and mural images celebrating Ray Bradbury’s 90th birthday and an upcoming project detailing the library’s commitment to “Going Green”.   For more information on sponsoring an exhibit, please contact Mitch Siegel at 847-623-2041 ext. 231 or mitchsiegel [at] waukeganpl [dot] info.

El Dia De Los Niños/Libros

The El Dia De Los Niños/Libros Festival is a family festival held every spring at the library and celebrates children and books!  For more information on sponsoring the El Dia Festival, please contact David Villalobos at 847-553-5100 or davidvillalobos [at] waukeganpl [dot] info.

  The Lake County Mariposa Festival

The Lake County Mariposa Festival is a celebration of nature, culture and the arts for the citizens of Lake County.  Held rain or shine, this sprawling open-air festival offers multiple stages with bands playing everything from rock to blues, dance and theater performances, food demos, arts and crafts, environmental displays and other celebrations of nature.  Click here for more information on sponsoring the festival or contact Mitch Siegel at 847-623-2041 ext. 231 or mitchsiegel [at] waukeganpl [dot] info.

Reading Clubs

Reading Clubs are an incentive-based way to promote reading year round.  From 2008 to 2010 adult, teen, and child participation in the Waukegan Public Library reading clubs has increased yearly.  Our children’s reading club has seen a 273% increase in participation from 2008 to 2010.  Help encourage reading by supporting our reading clubs.  Coupons, gifts card, and monetary donations are welcome and will be used for prizes.   For more information on sponsoring a Reading Club, please contact Patrick Toto at 847-623-2041 ext. 285 or patricktoto [at] waukeganpl [dot] info or David Villalobos at 847-553-5100 or davidvillalobos [at] waukeganpl [dot] info.

Awards Received in 2011

The Waukegan Public Library is the recipient of 5 First Place Awards in the 2011 ILA Excellence in Marketing & Public Relations Competition:  Most Creative Visual or Interactive Display, Most Creative Video, Best Singular Direct Mail or Promotional Piece, Newsletter Series, and Most Original Event/Festival.  

The Waukegan Public Library Early Learning Center is the recipient of the 2011 Illinois Library Association Highsmith Library Innovative Award.  This award recognizes a library’s achievement in planning and implementing an innovative or creative program or service which has had a measurable impact on its users.  The award is sponsored by Highsmith, Inc.  

The Waukegan Public Library Literacy Suite is the 2011 recipient of the Illinois Library Association’s Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial/DEMCO Award.  The award recognizes an individual, a group, a program, or an institution for a sustained activity and contribution having a lasting impact on librarianship.  The award is sponsored by DEMCO.

Awards Received in 2010 

The Illinois Library Association (ILA) awarded this year’s Highsmith Library Innovation Award to the Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival, sponsored annually by the Waukegan Public Library. School and public libraries across Illinois compete for the award, designed to recognize a library’s achievement in planning and implementing an innovative program or service which has a measurable impact on its users.