Library A Week

Catlin Public Library District

2011 no. 4

Library Profile

Library Name: Catlin Public Library District Location: 101 Mapleleaf Drive, Catlin, IL 61817 Type: Public Mission: To provide quality materials and services which fulfill educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the entire community in an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful, and business like. LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/cnn.html Member Since: 1973   An interview with Janette Nash.

What is unique about your library?

Our library is located in a residential area. We really feel like we are part of the neighborhood. We do our best to make our library warm and inviting to our patrons, so that it feels more like visiting a friend, than a hushed library. We are kid and family friendly and have seen more and more families coming into the library.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our goal is to always serve the public to the best of our ability and make sure their needs are met.  We strive to serve the public through our materials, computers, and programming.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We work with the schools to help students with projects. We have AR books and can check to see if the test is available. We often do grants with our neighboring libraries. We work closely with the museum, especially with genealogy related information. We have several home school families that we are constantly working with. Anytime we can participate in village-sponsored events in the community, we do.

Tell us a story about your library.

Since we are such a small community, we not only get to know our patrons, but we get to watch them grow. We have children who start coming to the library when they are in pre-school and end up being helpers when they are in high school. It is amazing that we can be a part of their growing and see them come full circle as library patrons.

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

We could really use a bigger parking lot. Sometimes, our programs are very popular and there is little space for our patrons to park. It would be nice if we could add a little coffee nook to the library.

What is popular in your library?

Our computers and wifi are heavily used. Our programming is very popular, especially the summer reading program. As far as books, our inspirational section sees the most usage. Our patrons also appreciate being able to request materials through LTLS.

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

We do not have a library website, but use Facebook to keep our patrons informed about what is going on in the library.

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