For generations, the Fox River has influenced how Aurora grew, worked, and came together as a community. In 2026, the Aurora Public Library District will highlight that connection with Aurora on the Fox, a yearlong initiative that combines an engaging exhibit with a diverse lineup of programs about the river that runs through the heart of the city.
At the center of the initiative is the Aurora on the Fox exhibit, on display this month in the Santori Library Atrium and online. The exhibit highlights the history and importance of the Fox River in Aurora, from its earliest role as a transportation route and source of power to its place in modern environmental and recreational life. Viewers will encounter fascinating snapshots of the river’s story, including how Aurora’s east–west divide shaped the city’s charter, how floods transformed the community, and how residents once staged mock funerals to protest pollution in the river.
The exhibit is just the beginning. Throughout the year, APLD will host programs inspired by the Fox River that span history, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. “It’s easy to take for granted the natural beauty and historical significance of the Fox River when you spend every day living nearby,” said adult services librarian Ethan. “Hopefully, this program series can reignite people’s interest in preserving the Fox!”
Families with young children can kick things off with A River Near Me Storytime Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Society 57, featuring river-themed stories, songs, and rhymes. History buffs and environmentalists won’t want to miss The Fox: Lessons from a Legendary Local Environmentalist Monday, Feb. 2 at Santori Library. Gary Swick, president of Friends of the Fox River, will share the story of James ‘The Fox’ Phillips, the local activist who took on industrial polluters decades ago. “Learning about his environmental activism in Kane County helped me conceptualize our community’s role in the larger, national environmental movement,” adds Ethan.
Additional programs include Homeschool Huddle: Winter Wildlife Thursday, Feb. 12, Getting Started with Fishing Thursday, March 26, a program on the local impact of climate change in April, and a full slate of recreational programming this summer. “The goal of this series is to connect people to the place they live, to each other, and to their environment,” added community history librarian Cailín. “The Fox River is a great asset in our community, and we’re excited to showcase it all year long.”
Aurora on the Fox invites everyone to discover—or rediscover—their own connection to the river and the places we share. Program details can be found at aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or by contacting the library at 630-264-4117 and the exhibit will be on display until January 31. Most of all, with this initiative we’re looking forward to hearing people’s stories. What is your connection to the Fox River? Maybe you haven’t thought too much about it before, but now is the time to start!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.