Library A Week

Milford District Library

2009 no. 11

Library Profile

Library Name: Milford District Library Location: 2 South Grant Avenue, Milford, IL 60953 Type: Public Mission: To provide our community a complete informational system promoting that knowledge is the quickest and safest path to success in any area of life. LTLS Directory Page:http://www.lincolntrail.info/min.html LTLS Member Since: 1966

An interview with Librarian, Sue Crist.

What is unique about your library?

The Milford District Library has a very home-like feeling. When visitors walk through the Carnegie building they often comment that they would love to live here. Everyday, during the winter, the fireplace is lit, and the 2 leather chairs nearby are often filled. The library still uses the original oak tables and chairs throughout the library. We also have a library cat to add to that home-like feeling. A year and a half ago, Willow, a 4 year-old cat moved in. He is now very popular and always “helps” check books out at the circulation desk. Patrons often stop in just to see Willow.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

The primary goal of the library is first and foremost to continue to meet the needs of the patrons. We devote our budget to making our patrons as happy as possible. We may not be able to offer all the services that the bigger libraries can offer, but for a small farming community, we serve our patrons well.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

Our library is a perfect place for all sorts of different organizations to meet, for tutors and students, and for the community to come together. Every December, we have 25 community and school organizations, along with local businesses, decorate the library with Christmas trees. Each tree has a different theme and a different charity. The public is then asked to visit and make a donation to their favorite tree/charity. Some of the charities include: the local food pantry, local teen shelter, humane society, breast cancer awareness, and St. Jude’s. Aside from community cooperation, we are part of the Lincoln Trail Library System. I don’t know how we would get by without LTLS. I do my best to buy the materials that our patrons want and need, but our relationship with LTLS provides us with access to so much more than my budget could ever allow.

Tell us a story about your library.

Once in awhile, I will get a call or a visit from someone with a genealogy question, but last summer I had several in one day. A visitor from Arizona was staying with cousins in Lafayette, and had told them that she wanted to find her grandmother’s farm in Milford. They drove to Milford and thought that the library would be the best place to start. She gave me her grandmother’s name and the name of the farm, but there wasn’t much more she remembered. My husband was born and raised in Milford, so I called him. He actually knew the name and took them to the farm. We also connected her with a distant relative that lived in Sheldon who was able to provide much more family information. Two hours later, I received a phone call from Ohio looking for cousins in Milford. I was able to connect the two family members. I was also able to copy yearbook pictures of some of the relatives and send them to her. On that particular day, I felt like I had brought generations together. I know that they were grateful and I was excited to help.

If money were no object, what services would you add?

I would hire staff members. I am the only employee except for a high school senior who comes in everyday after school. Having a few more staff members would benefit the library. It would be great to have a computer expert who could address Internet and technical problems.

What is popular in your library?

We have an avid adult mystery patron base in our small community. Our book club has 25 participants and 15 of them come in every other day for a new book! Fridays are our busiest day because everyone is getting weekend materials. DVDs are also popular which keeps our rotating video cooperative in high demand. But what is most popular is Willow! I always thought that the kids would be his biggest fans, but actually, my older patrons are the ones who have to stop by and see him. His food and litter needs are taken care of by his many generous admirers.

How does your library use online tools to connect to your users?

We are currently working on a website for the library. We had one a few years ago, but our patrons didn’t use it. We weren’t happy with the set up and at the time we felt the money could be used elsewhere. We’ve always had success using our town paper to list current events and new materials. Recently, we decided that a website would allow us to connect to our patrons, as well as a larger community of people.

Request a visit to your library If you would like to set up a special date for us to visit your library contact LTLS Consultant Michelle Ralston Library of the Week is published by Lincoln Trail Libraries System, 1704 W. Interstate Dr., Champaign, IL 61822 217-352-0047  -   ltls@lincolntrail.info Executive Director: Jan Ison, Editorial and Design Team: Michelle Ralston and David Lottes

Comments

[Nancy O'Brien]

I love the Library a Week feature! I've found really helpful information to share with some of our patrons from this feature. For example, I now know the extensive services available from the Regional Office of Education Learning Resource Library so I can encourage local teachers to contact them when we don't have what they need. The profile of the Milford District Library is frankly heartwarming!

There is no need to post this response; I just wanted to let you know that this feature is useful and appreciated.