Library A Week

Arthur Public Library District

2010 no. 9

Library Profile

Library Name: Arthur Public Library District Location: 225 South Walnut, Arthur, IL 61911 Type: Public Mission:  The Arthur Public Library District will offer a professionally selected and well-organized collection of books and other materials. The collection shall meet the educational, recreational, informational and cultural needs of the Arthur community. Special emphasis will be placed on popular titles, books, and special programs, which stimulate young children’s interest and opportunities for lifelong learning for all the residents of the district. Access to the collection will be assured through well-trained and courteous staff and adequate facility. The library shall endeavor to cooperate will all relevant local state and federal agencies, and shall keep abreast of changing library technology and practices. All of the above shall be done in a fiscally responsible manner. Library Website: http://www.arthur.k12.il.us/apl LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/arn.html LTLS Member Since: 1966   An interview with Librarian, Alice Cisna.

What is unique about your library?

Our library serves a very diverse population. We have many Amish families and support those businesses through our fax and email services. We also search online for them to purchase machinery, goods and services. We show instructional videos for them and search for books and ordering through LTLS that all libraries provide.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our goals are to serve our patrons in every way we can. Developing a love of reading in our children is also a goal we strive to attain. Our library strives to be a vital contributor to the cultural and educational success of our district, serving our community with a wide array of materials, educational and cultural experiences.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

Jill Strawn is our Outreach Coordinator and she works with local nursing homes and retirement homes to make sure elder residents of the community are still being served. We do a lot of reciprocal borrowing with the neighboring communities of Atwood and Lovington. We send and receive about 3,000 items through LTLS interlibrary loan. I have worked with the Mortenson Center and the U of I. We visit the local preschool 2 times a month and the MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) once a month. We also put together a story hour packet each month that has a variety of crafts and information for people to do at home with their children. We were having story hour in the library and no one was coming, so we changed our thinking and it’s worked out great.

Tell us a story about your library.

A man came in with his laptop. He was a local, Amish businessman. He wanted to download new updates for the Microsoft Office program on his computer. We figured out that the laptop did have wireless, but after about 30 minutes, we realized that he did not have Internet Explorer, or any other internet browser on his computer. After we figured that out, we downloaded the updates on one of the library’s computers, put them on a flash drive, and he was able to update the program. We asked him if he would like us to do the same with Internet Explorer, so that he would be able to search the internet, but he politely declined saying that he had no need for internet browsing for his business.

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

We would like to update our computers. Keeping our collection to meet the educational, recreational, informational and cultural needs of the Arthur community is an ongoing expense. Also, it would be great to add a Wii with games and the fitness program for our patrons to use, and a big plasma TV to go along with that.

What is popular in your library?

We have a great inspirational fiction section that is used extensively. Our children’s’ books and video sections are also very popular. Our summer reading program is extremely popular and very well attended.

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

We gave a website with links to LINC where our patrons can order books themselves and can check out books from Media Mall. We showcase new books and videos on our website as well as keep our patrons informed with links to sites like the Illinois Digital Archives.

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