Library A Week

Charleston Carngie Public Library

2011 no. 20

Library Profile

Library Name: Charleston Carnegie Public Library Location: 712 Sixth St. Charleston, IL 61920 Type: Public Mission: The Charleston Public Library will provide to members of the community access to a wide variety of well-organized print and electronic resources for learning and enjoyment. Website: http://www.charlestonlibrary.org LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/crn.html Member Since: 1972 An interview with Jeanne Hamilton.

What is unique about your library?

Our library first opened with Carnegie’s help in 1901. Since then we have had several additions which has resulted in 5 staggered floors- it takes a ride on two separate elevators to access all the floors.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Our primary goal is to provide services and materials that appeal to a wide variety of community members.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We offer a variety of free meeting spaces to community nonprofits, provide community service opportunities, and are offering a job training experience to a first-time worker through a CEFS program.

Tell us a story about your library.

The KidSpace has been holding a Trim-A-Tree silent auction for the last 10 years.  The library purchases two-foot artificial Christmas trees, and patrons "check-out" the trees and decorate them any way they wish.  They then donate the trees back to the KidSpace, and we put them on display for a silent auction.  We give the trees out before Thanksgiving, and the auction runs during the first half of December.  We raise several hundred dollars each year, the room is beautifully decorated for the holidays, and the auction winners have a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree.

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

We would add more hours of service. We would fill those hours with a variety of programs to expand our appeal in the community.

What is popular in your library?

Our computers are very popular- we had almost 19,000 computer sessions last year!

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

We have a website that offers access to the online catalog and MyMediaMall. We also plan to offer trivia questions (and prizes) through our Facebook page as part of our summer reading program.

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