- 1965 - Except for a small volunteer library in Hanover Park, the villages of Streamwood, Bartlett, and Hanover Park have no local service.
- 1966 - Louella Duddy starts a free volunteer library at her house in Streamwood to serve the community.
- 1966 - The original Streamwood Village Library is created after a successful referendum in 1966.The Streamwood Library Board of Trustees is established. The original Board of Trustees was Warren Dahl, Marlene Deuel, Sid Cato, Grace Papp, Richard Isenberger, and Alice Martin.
- 1967 - On March 18, 1967, the Streamwood Village Library opens its doors at its temporary storefront location in the Hillside Shopping Center at 20 Streamwood Boulevard.
- 1967 - Kathryn Belding is hired as first Streamwood Library librarian.
- 1969 - Marge Muzik becomes Streamwood Library's head librarian.
Streamwood Library Floor Plan
- 1972 - Marlene Deuel, an original Library Board trustee in 1966, is appointed as administrative librarian.
- 1973 - The Hanover Park Public Library Association joins with the Streamwood Library District to create the new Poplar Creek Library District.
- 1974 - Poplar Creek Public Library's first Battle of the Books competition is held.
- 1975 - A referendum is passed to build a new, larger library. The groundbreaking is held in November for the 1405 S. Park Avenue location.
- 1978 - The new $2 million library at 1405 S. Park Avenue opens its doors. It is capable of housing 210,000 books.
- 1979 - The Young Adult Services (Teens Department) is added.
Library Groundbreaking, 1975
The Old Tunnel to Children's Dept., 1978
- 1980 - The Library becomes a government depository for federal and state documents. The Government Documents Department is established.
- 1988 - Head Librarian Marlene Deuel retires after 16 years in that position (1972-1988).
Government Documents in 2011
Marlene Deuel, Library Director
- 1990 - The first online catalog for public use among Poplar Creek Public Library District users is introduced.
- 1991 - It is determined that a branch is required in order to better meet the needs of Hanover Park residents. The Hanover Park Branch library opens its doors later this year.
- 1992 - Poplar Creek Library becomes a smoke-free building.
- 1993 - The Reference Department and Government Documents begin using the Internet to answer patron "stumpers."
- 1994 - Adult and Young Adult Services begin purchasing Spanish language materials for the growing Spanish-speaking population in our community.
Hanover Park Branch, 1991
Reference Department in the 1990s
- 2006 - The branch library is renamed Sonya Crawshaw Branch after the late president of Hanover Park.
- 2009 - The main library reopens after a major expansion project, more than doubling its size.
Sonya Crawshaw
Construction, 2008
- 2013 - The Sonya Crawshaw Branch Library renovation is completed. In 2015, the Branch is renovated again to provide for a larger collection and expanded computer usage.
- 2015 - The television show “Empire” is filmed at Poplar Creek Public Library in September. Episode eight of season two, which featured the library, aired in November.
- 2015 - Pat Hogan retired as Administrative Librarian after 26 years (1989-2015).
- 2016 - Debra Stombres became third head librarian after being hired as Executive Director.
- 2016 - Poplar Creek Public Library celebrates 50 years of service.
- 2018 - Studio 1405 opens in Poplar Creek Public Library’s lower level.
- 2018 - The library van rolls out to serve the community.
Empire Filming, 2015
Studio 1405, 2019
- 2020 - The library provides many sources of information to help complete the 2020 census, continuing the library’s commitment to enrich, empower, educate and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds. The library is recognized as "an invaluable member of the 2020 Census Community Partnership and Engagement Program" by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- 2020-2023 - The library follows social distancing guidelines to continue to provide service to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2021 - The local history room is dedicated as the Candace McCreary Local History Room on May 13th, 2021. Candace McCreary served two terms as Library Board President: 2015-2017 and 2019-2021. She served as a Library Board Trustee from 2009-2021.
- 2023 - The Mobile Library is launched in April 2023. The Mobile Library, or Bookmobile, is a mobile branch of the library, serving Streamwood and Hanover Park. The Mobile Library stops at schools, neighborhoods, community events, and senior living facilities.
- 2024 - Executive Director Debra Stombres retires. She served the library as director from 2016-2024. In October, Jose Maldonado becomes the new Executive Director.