Kankakee Public Library

The Kankakee Public Library Genealogical resources include census data, cemetery records, local histories, old city directories, and hundreds of other books to help the amateur or serious genealogist trace his/her roots. The library also owns the Kankakee newspaper on microfilm from the 1850's to the present, facilitating obituary and local history research. The newspaper is in the process of being digitized. Available issues can be viewed here: https://www.jstor.org/site/olivetnazareneuniversity/newspapers/kankakeedailyjournal-36607046/?so=item_title_str_asc&searchkey=1773953212639

If you don't know where to turn to start your homework research, you've come to the right place. Sites listed on the library's website can help kids get the information they need.

The Kankakee Public Library website references out to a variety of online resources. Project Palace and OverDrive's Libby databases are available for ebooks and audio materials. Kanopy allows free access to thousands of movies. Museum Adventure Pass and Explore More Illinois has free and discounted to tickets to some of your favorite attractions in the Chicagoland area. For Genealogy interests the library has; Daily Journal archives, Kankakee Regional Obituary Index, ProQuest African American Heritage, and HeritageQuest. The library also partners with Illinois Legal Aid and provides access to a Legal Self-Help Center and Westlaw.

We strive to inform, enrich and empower every citizen in our diverse community by creating and promoting access to a vast array of ideas and information and by supporting lifelong learning and love of reading. The Kankakee Public Library maintains an adult and youth services department, interlibrary loan, downloadable eBooks, computer/internet, reference and research assistance, a genealogy archive, teen and youth programming, a growing number of print and audio-visual materials available in Spanish, Summer Reading Program, talking books, descriptive videos and closed-caption videos.

Westlaw is now available to the public in the Adult Services Department on the third floor of the Kankakee Public Library. Westlaw is an online legal research service. It provides quick, easy access to a vast collection of statutes, case law materials, public records, and other legal resources, along with current news articles and business information. Attorneys or patrons who wish to use Westlaw may visit the Adult Services Department.