The mission of the Batavia Public Library is to provide and ensure access to materials and services to meet the lifelong learning needs of residents and organizations, as well as to create a welcoming place to gather, exchange ideas, and participate in cultural events.
In support of this mission, the Board of Trustees of the Batavia Public Library District welcomes the acquisition of art for its permanent collection, and the display of art from its permanent collection, in order to enrich the Library and provide a more culturally diverse place to gather.
Two pediment murals were installed in the Library's Great Hall in August, 2008. The murals were created by Chicago artist Thomas K. Melvin, a renowned painter and muralist, and funded by gifts from the Roger W. Johnson Foundation, Rotary Club of Batavia, and the Friends of the Batavia Public Library.
A Pediment Mural brochure including the mural details and description, and more information about the artist is available at the Library.
In honor of the Batavia Public Library, the northern pediment mural represents the timeless love of books and reading, and features a mother reading to her children, an elderly scholar who uses a bridge as a book rest, a cupola from a previous Library building, a number of charming animals, and more.
In honor of the City of Batavia and the 175th anniversary of its settlement, the southern pediment mural represents the history of Batavia. The mural includes the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag refelected in a dental mirror—a tribute to a Batavia dentist and the "Father of Flag Day," ice skaters on the Fox River, a smokestack from the Challenge Company, a scientist, a fisherman, and more.
Chapter One, a sculpture by artist Kai Schulte, adorns the wall at the top of the stairs to the lower level. The sculpture was purchased by the Batavia Public Library Development Fund in 2007.
Kai [Uwe] Schulte (1960—) Chapter One, 2006 stainless steel. Collection of the Batavia Public Library District. Kai Uwe Schulte was born in Lϋdenscheid, Germany, seat of the Märkischer Kreis [district] in the state of North Rhine–Westphalia. He settled in the Tri-City area in 1982 and now lives in Sugar Grove, Illinois. He trained as a blacksmith and served his apprenticeship with a master smith in Lϋdenscheid. As an artist and metalsmith, Schulte now creates sculpture and highly detailed interior design elements in a variety of media, including wrought iron, brass, copper, glass, and of course, stainless steel.
A group of five watercolors by various artists hangs in the Library’s Northeast Reading Room on the upper level. The subjects of the watercolors are well-known Batavia buildings and include the Newton House, home of the Batavia Public Library from 1921 to 1981.
1. Paul J. Randall (1915–1977) Untitled [Anderson Bros. Block], 1967 watercolor on paper. Collection of the Batavia Public Library District.
The Anderson Bros. Block was built in 1892 at 4 North Batavia Avenue, at Wilson Street, by Oscar Anderson and his brother-in-law, John A. Anderson, who operated what would now be called a department store, offering dry goods, clothing, crockery, and groceries. The W. L. Anderson Shop (named for Oscar Anderson’s son, William), which is shown in the painting, was owned by Miss Mary Anderson, daughter and granddaughter, respectively, of William L. and Oscar Anderson. Artist Paul J. Randall was born on 5 October 1915 in Chicago and died on 29 January 1977 in Sandwich, Illinois. Before moving to Sandwich, he lived in Winfield, Illinois, and was a member of the Aurora Art League.
2. John Dukes McKee (1899–1956) Bellevue Place – Batavia, watercolor on paper. Collection of the Batavia Public Library District.
Built in 1853 (or 1854) as the Batavia Institute, this stone edifice was a private academy for young men and women. Dr. Richard J. Patterson purchased it in 1867. Bellevue Place (as it was named) served as a rest home and sanitarium for women; Mary Todd Lincoln stayed here in 1875. The structure at 333 South Jefferson Street, at Union Avenue, commands the highest piece of ground in the area and was built to present an image of utter formality. The seeds of the Batavia Library Association were planted here in 1866. Artist John Dukes McKee was born on 4 December 1899 in Kokomo, Indiana, and died on 25 July 1956 in Lyons, Illinois.
3. Norman B. Taylor (1899–1999) Batavia Library, watercolor on paper. Gift, probably of Eleanor Jones (a Library trustee from 1975–1983), in memory of her parents, Roy M. and Mildred G. Weaver ca. 1977. Collection of the Batavia Public Library District.
The Newton House, located at 11 N. Batavia Ave. / 317 W. Wilson St., was built in 1870 by Captain Don Carlos Newton (1832–1893) and his wife, Mary Newton (1835–1913). Newton’s father, Levi Newton, founded the Newton Wagon Works. The Batavia Public Library was located here from 1921–1981. Artist Norman B. Taylor was born on 25 March 1899 in Chicago and died in Batavia, Illinois, on 20 March 1999. In Memoriam. Mildred Grace Weaver née Clever (14 May 1901–17 January 1972), a Library trustee from 1963–1969, and Roy Maxwell Weaver (19 January 1894–31 August 1977)
4. Delbert C. Peterson (1926—) Stone Manor, 1977 watercolor on paper. Gift of the Batavia Woman’s Club 1982. Collection of the Batavia Public Library District.
Stone Manor, located at 528 South Batavia Avenue (Route 31), was built by Elijah Shumway Town in 1849. Judge Samuel Lockwood purchased it in 1859 and, in 1871, sold it to William Coffin, who had the first private bank in Batavia on the property. T. W. Snow bought the property, which was later known for many years as the Snow House, in 1906. Artist Delbert C. Peterson was born on 10 June 1926 in Aurora, Illinois. He worked for nine years in industrial art and design with Geneva Modern Kitchens, Inc. and Elgin Watch Co. He opened Del Peterson Art Studio in 1955, later changing the name to Del Peterson Advertising, and continued through 1994. Peterson now teaches art in Vero Beach, Florida, where he makes his home.
5. Paul J. Randall (1915–1977) Untitled [Batavia Depot], 1968 watercolor on board. Collection of the Batavia Public Library District.
The depot, built in Greek Revival style in 1854 (or 1855) for the Chicago and Aurora Branch Railroad (later the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and eventually the Burlington Northern Railroad), was located at Webster and Van Buren Streets. It was purchased by the Batavia Historical Society and moved to its present site at 155 Houston Street on 12 October 1973, and is now owned by the Batavia Park District. Artist Paul J. Randall was born on 5 October 1915 in Chicago and died on 29 January 1977 in Sandwich, Illinois. Before moving to Sandwich, he lived in Winfield, Illinois, and was a member of the Aurora Art League.
Wildly Happy Reading Together is a colorful triptych painted by Mundelein artist Linda Doyle. The three panels done in acrylics hang in the Youth Services department. The work was funded by donations made in memory of Nancy J. Schmidt, a Batavia resident who worked in the Library’s Youth Services department for five years. Mem Fox, an author and educator whose 10 Read Aloud Commandments encourage “wildly happy reading,” was one of Nancy’s favorite authors.
Left Panel
Center Panel
Right Panel