About Ida Public Library
The Ida Public Library is named in memory of Ida Fuller Hovey. In 1883 her father, General Allen Fuller, gave the city of Belvidere $5,000 to establish a public library in her memory.
Born July 6th, 1859 in Belvidere, Ida was much beloved by her family and very popular in the community. Ida graduated from the musical department of Rockford Seminary in 1875 at the age of sixteen. On July 6th, 1878, she was married to Theron Adelbert Hovey in Belvidere. Ida was very involved in the Belvidere community, hosting parties, attending functions, performing at concerts, and joining the Belvidere Ladies Library Society.
Today Ida Public Library houses approximately 80,000 volumes, collecting in English and Spanish. It provides patrons with an ever-expanding range of services that include: public computer access, free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks, a balanced variety of database resources, and a local history collection with research assistance. The library also provides community programming that includes classes, workshops, story hour, and book discussion groups, it boasts a community garden and offers meeting spaces to community members.
