Library A Week

Piper City Public Library District

2011 no. 5

Library Profile

Library Name: Piper City Public Library District Location: 39 W. Main St, Piper City, IL 60959 Type: Public Mission: The mission of the library is to provide access to informational, educational, cultural and recreational library materials and services in a variety of formats and technologies; to provide programs and services that reflect the composition, diversity and ages of all the people of the community in an attempt to improve their quality of life; to be responsive to the public library needs of the community in a timely manner; to be fiscally responsible; and to uphold the public’s freedom of access to information. LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/pcn.hml Member Since: 1967 An interview with Julie Kurtenbach.

What is unique about your library?

The building itself is special. Over the years we have made many improvements thanks to memorial gifts from the community. We have been able to add new windows and doors, as well as, update the furniture and cases. The most recent memorial gift allowed us to remove all the carpeting in the library and re-finish the wood floors, which makes the library more quaint and comfortable for visitors. We hope all our changes don’t overshadow the vast variety of resources offered to all young and old patrons.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our goal is to provide quality service to all patrons in a professional manner and to have materials available for the needs of the community. We strive to be a service to all and to encourage the library to be used!

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We work with schoolteachers in cooperation with their assignments. We want to have the materials available at the library for their projects. We work with the county on programs to be held at the library or that the library can take out to the community.

Tell us a story about your library.

The Piper City Library is the center of our community. It is there for information about all subjects in and around our area. The services are numerous and are available to all who come through our doors. The village is small (approx. 850) and we have no local newspaper, so the library is one of the places people come for information. The support from the community is by far our best asset and it continues each year. We are glad to be so valuable to the community. We are proud to be a part of that community and to receive memorials from them. We also house the Piper City Historical Society. Our library board has been conservative with improvements and so we haven’t had to raise the tax base.

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

We would definitely extend the days and hours of the library. Space is our number one problem right now. With more space we could hold more community programs. With more money we would be able to hold more programs with special authors and entertainers. We would completely update our computers and technology for our patrons’ use. We would also do more outreach to our shut-in population.

What is popular in your library?

The most popular is probably the new books. Our large print collection, mysteries and DVDs also have high circulation. Many patrons come into the library to use the computers and internet, as well as the copy and fax machines.

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

Most of our patrons come into the library or phone in with requests or questions. We do have patrons who request books through LTLS at home. If we have program or library information for the public, we publish in the Paxton paper or the Lone Tree Reader. We have been publishing our new booklists lately.

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