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Hudson Area Library Interlibrary Loan totes

The World Expands While It Contracts

Posted on February 25, 2021

At the end of 2020, Hudson Area Public Library District found a hopeful and fun fact while reviewing patron statistics. Out of 977 active patron cards, 955 of those cards had been used in the prior six months. While their world was closing in, patrons – almost all of them – were using their cards to explore the universe. That’s smart pandemic behavior.

Twirly colorful mobile sculpture.

Encouraging the Creative Spirit

Posted on February 22, 2021

We are all born with an innate creative spirit. As humans, we have the instinctive drive to create, and as someone who works in early literacy and with young children, my job is to nurture that creative spirit in our youngest library patrons. When I plan programs, my primary goal always revolves around the question, “How can I encourage children to think freely and creatively?”  

Champagne glasses

Princeton Public Library's New Year’s Eve Non-Event

Posted on February 19, 2021

The staff at the Princeton Public Library held a New Year’s Eve Non-event fundraiser this past December. We thought it would be an apropos way to bring a laugh to the community and say goodbye to 2020.

Still image from podcast

Quincy's Funding Success Story in Recent Sparks Podcast

Posted on February 19, 2021

Representatives from Quincy Public Library (QPL) recently sat down and Zoomed in for a RAILS Sparks podcast to discuss their successful marketing campaign to stave off library budget cuts.

Writing in a notebook. Image credit: Unsplash.com.

An Invitation to Share Your Story

Posted on February 15, 2021

No matter what your position is within your organization, sooner or later, you are going to be approached to write something. It may be a description for an upcoming program, a press release, a grant proposal, or something as simple as an email to a patron or colleague. For some, writing any of these would be easy.

Clothing donations for Popular Creek Public Library.

Pins & Needles Group Stitches Poplar Creek Community Together

Posted on February 12, 2021

At first, I thought our knitting and crochet group, Pins & Needles, was just group of good friends who liked to get together, knit and chat.  It turns out that that's not all the ladies come for and it's not even their only goal. 

Bing Boxes at Carol Stream PL

My Library Is... Creating Enthusiastic Fans

Posted on February 11, 2021

Amid the chaos and stress of the past year, my library has found a way to establish personal relationships with patrons and create an enthusiastic fandom—and boost collection use at the same time.

Adult craft kit: lovebird string art.

Tapping Into the Creativity with Adult Craft Kits

Posted on February 10, 2021

When I arrived at Warrenville Public Library back in 2018, I wanted to explore the benefits of active engagement and library outreach via creative programming and art.  We already had a very popular and highly anticipated arts programs series for kids. Time and time again I would hear from parents who wished we also offered craft programs geared towards adults, they wanted in on the fun.

Elders of the Internet video featuring Nick Offerman.

Talking Points for Why Libraries Are Needed in the Age of the Internet

Posted on February 9, 2021

The following talking points can be used by library staff when faced with the question: Why do I need the library when I have the internet? They can easily be adapted to fit any situation that might arise in an academic, public, school, or specialized library. 

AG bag kit

Paw Paw Public Library District offers Ag in the Classroom Bags

Posted on February 4, 2021

At the end of last September, my co-worker Kathy, who also works at Big Rock Library in Big Rock, told me about an activity they were offering. She said, the Hinckley Big Rock High School FFA with help from the DeKalb County Farm Bureau had make up activity kits for kids about apples and were being offered for free to the local kids.