Library A Week

Paxton Carnegie Library

2010 no. 25

Library Profile

Library Name: Paxton Carnegie Library Location: 254 S Market St, Paxton, IL 60957 Type: Public Mission: The purpose of the Paxton Carnegie Library is to serve the informational, cultural, educational, and recreational needs of all Paxton residents, regardless of age, sex, educational background, race, religion, national origin, handicaps, or special library informational needs. LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/pnn.html Library Webpage: http://www.paxtonlibrary.blogspot.com/ LTLS Member Since: 1966   An interview with Director, Anne Newman.

What is unique about your library?

Built in 1903 with a $10,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, the library’s special architectural features have been carefully preserved, including the copper dome, the rotunda, the marble fireplace, and the original wood floor, bookcases and tables. We also have a library cat. Max is 16 years old and has lived at the Paxton Carnegie Library for the past 8 years.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

We wish to continue to provide the materials and library services that best serve our community, keeping up with changing technology, and honoring the library’s history.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

As part of LTLS, our collection is part of the shared database, so we have a lot of materials coming and going each day. In our own community, we provide some programming for the schools as well as the local Head Start and nursery school.

Tell us a story about your library.

Last year we tried something entirely new. We staged an interactive mystery play, “Murder in the Library.” Library staff, board members, and even the town mayor performed together in front of a live, very appreciative audience. This project was a good way to bring together many different people who care about the library, and everyone keeps asking when we are going to do another play.

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

We would probably add on to the building so that there would be more space for materials, computers and storage, along with a large meeting room. Our current meeting space is small, with a supporting center beam, which limits programs.

What is popular in your library?

The computers are in constant use, and the laptops are a big hit, but we have a lot of books coming and going too. The books that are most popular are the bestsellers, large print, Christian fiction, and easy readers.

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

We have a blog and a FaceBook page. Borrowers can access the online catalog from www.paxtonlibrary.blogspot.com and keep up with all of Max’s activities there too.

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