Library A Week WEN

Westville Public Library District

2010 no. 11

Library Profile

Library Name: Westville Public Library District Location: 233 South State Street, Westville, IL 61883 Type: Public Mission: The role of the Westville Public Library District is to provide materials and services to assist patrons in meeting their personal and educational needs. Emphasis is on making available current and popular items to people of all ages, serving as a center for personal growth and entertainment. Library Website: http://www.westvillepubliclibrarydistrict.org/ LTLS Directory Page: http://www.lincolntrail.info/wen LTLS Member Since: 1967   An interview with Director, Rick Balsamello.

What is unique about your library?

In 2003 we were very lucky to get a new building. The larger building helped to give space for the collection to grow and to increase traffic. In 2005 we annexed several unserved areas and almost doubled our service population. This has been a growing and learning experience for our library.

What are the primary goals and objectives of your library?

Of course going along with the mission we have the continuous goal of making sure our patrons needs are met as best we can. Right now we are also focusing on making sure that our patrons' know we are here. I have people come in from the community for the first time who have lived here several years. I know that some of the people in the communities we’ve annexed don’t know that they can come for library service. I want to focus on getting the word out that we’re here for them. I am also trying to get patron records cleared up so more people can use their accounts.

What cooperative efforts are you currently doing?

We've worked with Chrisman, Catlin, Georgetown, Sidell, Ridge Farm, and Fairmont to have several rotating collections. They were started in 1995 and some are still circulating today. We participate in interlibrary loan through LTLS. Recently, it seems we are sending more out than we are receiving, but I am glad to know that my patron have access through LINC to the materials they want that we don't have. We also have 6-8 community groups that regularly use our meeting room. It's always nice to have connections with the community groups.

Tell us a story about your library.

We often have patrons come in looking for a book, but have very little information to go on. Once, we had a man call looking for a book that his mother used to read to him. He couldn’t recall the title, author or much about the story, but he remembered that on the cover of the book was an old woman, a mouse, a white picket fence and an alligator. Through key word searching and other research we were able to find the book he was looking for. It made him very happy and made us feel good that we could help him.

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

We could use a few extra part-time staff members, and it would really be helpful if one of them could focus on technology in the library and teaching technology to patrons. Also, it would be nice to have more time to devote to finding and acquiring audio books, with emphasis on Christian fiction. It would be nice to add a computer lab and a stage/performance area to the children's department. I would like to make the library wireless and have laptops that patrons could use in the library.

What is popular in your library?

Large print materials are very popular in our library. The computers are always full and well used. Our meeting room is very popular, especially for community groups.

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

We have a website, but do not use other online tools. Right now, we have to focus on helping patrons use FirstSearch and the LINC catalog.

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