“What you can do for your library/What your library can do for you” is the heading on a bookmark available at the Washington District Library.
One side shares ideas about information, entertainment and assistance offered by the library, such as computers for Internet access, Wi-Fi for laptop computer use, videos and music for entertainment, programs for kids and teens, school year tutoring and of course great books on a multitude of topics!
The library would also like YOUR suggestions of services, programs, books, movies or music that you would like to see offered at your library.
A survey, currently available at both libraries, gives you an opportunity to provide valuable information for purchasing and planning. Even if you are not a regular library user, completing the survey helps the library determine how to better meet the needs of the entire community. The survey was also conducted at the Cherry Festival, where participants entered their names in a prize drawing, which was won by Tammy Herrmann.
While the library welcomes suggestions for purchase, any materials not owned locally may also be requested from other libraries via the online catalog. Items may then be picked up at the location of your choice. You will be notified when your request arrives. At the Washington District Library, during a single week in June, more than 900 items were sent to and/or received from libraries throughout Illinois.
June was also a record-setting month for new cards issued at Washington. Over 400 people applied for new library cards, indicating that more and more people are finding the library is a valuable community resource! If you and your family live in Washington Township and would like to become library users, simply apply for a library card at one of our two locations.
The flip side of the aforementioned bookmark suggests ways to help your library, such as joining the Friends of Washington Library group and volunteering. The Friends meet several times a year and sponsor fundraising activities such as bi-annual book sales, the proceeds of which fund programming and purchases not included in the library’s regular budget.
Currently, with increased use and decreased funding from the state, the library is seeing some impact on the budget. The annual per capita grant, which has been part of the budget for many years, is approximately $21,400, which is 15 percent less than the previous year. That money has not been received yet, even though it was promised in February. In addition, the area-wide Alliance Library System, which supported libraries throughout central Illinois with group purchasing, consulting, training and other benefits, was recently closed due to state budget cuts.
Whether through the Friends group or individually, library volunteers also help stretch library dollars, and handle projects and tasks which allow the staff to spend more time on other library duties. Contact Emily at the library for more information on volunteering.
Therefore, the next time you are in the library pick up a book or video and the bookmark about ways you can benefit from using the library as well as ways you can help the library. It’s a win-win opportunity for everyone!
Submitted by Pam Tomka, the director of the Washington District Library.
