Library A Week

Onarga Community Public District Library

2010 no. 26

Library Profile

Library Name: Onarga Community Public District Library Location: 209 W Seminary Ave, Onarga, IL 60955 Type: Public Mission: The Onarga Community Public District Library will strive to meet the informational and recreational needs of the community by offering, in a fiscally responsible manner, a carefully selected and well-organized collection of library material. Said collection will be housed in an adequate facility with appropriate staff to manage all necessary library functions. LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/onn.html LTLS Member Since: 1966   An interview with Director, Kim Heft.

What is unique about your library?

We started in 1858 as a subscription library and in 1907, we moved into a building built with funding from Andrew Carnegie. We are proud of the way in which we have re-purposed and updated our Carnegie building to meet the needs of our community. The library still has the original letter from Andrew Carnegie along with other historic papers that are an important part of our library’s history.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our main goal is to provide the materials that our patrons need and want. We strive to be a center for the community, not only to help them find the information they need, but also as a place where they can access resources that they don’t have at home. One example is the internet, both through the use of the library's computers as well as the patrons who bring in their laptops to access the wireless network.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We are automated and participate in LTLS interlibrary loan. It is great that our patrons can access materials throughout the system, and that we can share the more unique items we have. The local Master’s Gardener Club participates with our summer reading program. We also share a school district with the Gilman-Danforth Library.

Tell us a story about your library.

It surprises me that people still come in to use the card catalog. We still keep it up to date by title/author. We also had a local businessman come into the library to use our typewriter. Apparently, we have one of, if not the only public typewriter available in town. This year is also our first year that we are doing summer reading for all age groups. In the past we have limited it to children, but this year we have expanded and are including teens and adults in their own programs.

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

I would like to update the building so that it would be handicapped accessible, and add on space for growth in the library including a meeting room. A parking lot would make it easier for our patrons to visit the library and a drive up book drop would make a lot of people happy. I would like to reach out and add a home-bound service if we had the money. I would also like to expand our business hours.

What is popular in your library?

Our patrons come in to use the computers and the wifi. Our adult fiction collection gets the most circulation, and within that the new bestsellers are the first to fly off the shelves.

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

We use LINC to allow access to our collection, as well as, the online catalog, from the library and patrons’ homes. We still use the local newspapers for information distribution.

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