New addition, remodeling coming in 2012

Homer Township Public Library is moving forward with plans to construct a 11,000 square foot addition and remodel our existing space, all without impacting taxes.

Yes, you heard that correctly.  No tax increase - just a decade's worth of conservative budget oversight, proactive grant writing, and planning correctly. 

The south side expansion will add a quiet reading room, six study rooms, a family activity center, an expanded computer area, a new teen zone, a dedicated story hour and craft room, a community room and social commons area for residents to enjoy.  It will be a phased project and we will remain open throughout the process.  Plans for the space include more natural light, vaulted ceilings, and the re-positioning of the entrance and parking lot to the west.  Check out the library website for more details and read our Q & A about the construction project.

Please feel free to contact me @ 708-301-7908 with any questions.

DVDs @ your library

For the first ten months of 2011 we have loaned our customers more than 16,000 DVDs, which is a 9% increase from last year.  The DVD collection began as a donation initiative to help establish a core collection.  We asked every patron, resident and business to consider donating one DVD  and to date we have received 1,782 DVDs.  Some donated movies are popular duplicates and some titles brand new to the library collection.

We continue to welcome DVD donations and with additional budget and grant support are actively adding titles to the collection.  500 movies are taken home weekly or about 70 DVDs check out each day, so we know the DVD collection is becoming very popular.

I thank our many library friends, scouts, seniors, families, organizations and businesses who have donated a DVD to the library.  Your generosity is appreciated and the above statistics tell the story.  Our library (and community) has much to be thankful for!

Sundays @ your library

The newest statistics for usage show that Sunday library hours (4 hours from 4-8pm) grow increasingly popular @ our library.  We serve approximately 112 visitors each hour or 449 customers each Sunday.  Over the past two years we have seen a 30% increase in Sunday usage.  Last year we circulated approximately 80 items each hour or 322 items every Sunday we were open.  Capitalizing on strong Sunday usage, we have begun offering Sunday programming, such as the Reptile Club and Family Movie Night. 

The genesis of Sunday hours began when I saw a need for non-traditional hours instead of the typical 1-5pm hours that many libraries offered.  Often after dinner my family needed some library time, but area libraries closed by 5pm.  So at Homer we opened with unique 5-9pm hours and as we assessed how much use we had, we eventually settled on the hours of 4-8pm.  Time and again I am delighted by positive resident comments that we have initiated these hours.  I am very proud that we chose to think out of the box for our community.  Our strong usage patterns indicate it was the right choice for our library and our community.  Drop in and enjoy an evening with your family soon!

6th Annual Author Fair coming soon!

Join us on September 19th beginning at 6:30 p.m. to meet eight local authors.  They will discuss their works through mini-presentations of their books, how they write and gather ideas, their personal writing philosophies, and more.  Each author's table will also offer books for sale and book signings.

Does the public still use the library?

Resoundingly YES!  Customer visits have increased 5% in the past year and we see up to 600 people each and every day.

Our items being used (checked out) increased 4% this past year.  Staff checks out 753 items daily or 236,976 items a year.  If you really wanted to get technical that is approximately 40 items each hour.

We held a total of 922 programs this past year, an astounding 36% increase.  And more than 16,000 people used our nine public internet computers this past year.

Libraries offer social opportunities as well as support lifelong learning.  We see use growing is many ways and our long range planning will support this additional usage.  Drop in and see us sometime soon.

Our generous community

We have received many donations in memory of PFC Michael C. "Mikey" Olivieri.  Thank you.  We extend deep appreciation to those who have supported the Olivieri Family in their wishes to have the new Quiet Reading Room established in his honor.  Thank you for your generosity.

Honoring Hometown Hero PFC Michael C. Olivieri

We extend our deepest sympathy to Jody and Mike Olivieri and family on the loss of their son PFC Michael C. "Mikey" Olivieri U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, who lost his life as the result of insurgent fire in Iraq on June 6, 2011. He was the cherished husband of Sharon Olivieri and devoted brother of Abby, Ashley and Joe.

The staff of the Homer Township Public Library would like to extend our appreciation to our community members and to those who paid tribute to PFC Michael C. Olivieri in many meaningful ways. The Olivieri family would like to raise funding that supports a Heroes Quiet Reading Room, honoring all courageous military personnel who serve our country. Donations can be made to the Homer Township Public Library Olivieri Memorial. Donations or cards to the family can be sent to:

PFC Michael C. Olivieri Memorial Fund
c/o Homer Township Public Library
14320 W. 151st Street
Homer Glen, IL 60491

The library is honored to accept donations in PFC Michael C. Olivieri's memory and we thank you for supporting the Olivieri family.


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Long range planning underway

Tell Us What You Want...
We seek your input and are listening to you - our customer. As the Library continues to evolve and change we strive to be user-centered and keep the library essential and meaningful for community members. This means encouraging your participation and dialogue, reaching out to new users in new ways, and creating community and social areas. Your communication will ensure the library remains vital and convenient.

As our trustee and management team undertakes long range planning we continue to ask: What do you want to see here? How can we make the library a destination point for you? How can we assist you better in the area of remote access? What programs, collections, services, etc. would you and your family benefit from? What do you want the library space to include? Help us keep the user at the heart of library services; community conversation is essential for this to happen.

What is your vision for the future of library services and our space to serve you well? I'm listening, so let me know.

p.s. We have a ton of great programs this summer! Read all about it in our newsletter here.

New grant awarded!

I am pleased to announce that we received funding for the Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy program for the second year in a row. Our newest award is named The KEY to Success: Knowledge, Education & You @ Homer Library. This grant will provide opportunities that support local families and reading or writing skills that allow a person to function successfully in the home, workplace, and community. Reading and comprehending a newspaper article, writing a check, filling out a job application, understanding product warning labels, etc. are examples of pertinent and necessary life skills. Last year we established partnerships with both Joliet Junior College and Lewis University to have them provide adult and family reading and literacy instructors to support grant activities. More details about this year's programs and partners to follow!

Attaining grant funding increases our ability to make more available to the Homer community and increases resident awareness of the library as a strong community leader and collaborator. Additional grants have been submitted and we hope for continued success.

Happy Spring

We are gearing up for spring and our newsletter showcases lots of great programs. Is there something that you would like to see at your library? Let us know.

Long range planning underway

We continue to examine usage, need, and how to best serve our community. We will be posting a brief survey on the web site and encourage you to provide feedback. Your input counts!

What do you GEEK?

geek verb
1. To love, to enjoy, to celebrate, to have an intense passion for.
2. To express interest in.
3. To possess a large amount of knowledge in.
4. To promote.

What do you Geek? Everyone has something they are passionate about-- something they geek. Maybe you geek football or hip hop. Maybe you are passionate about organic gardening, classic movies or volunteering. Or maybe you just geek the weather.

Whatever you geek, serious or fun, the public library supports you.
Public libraries inspire and empower. Everyone is welcome. Knowledgeable librarians help millions of people find out more about what they geek, discover new interests, prepare for job or school, and continue their path in lifelong learning. As librarians we are passionate about our community and about finding the information to help you with what you geek.

Libraries improve your life.
We offer innovative geeking opportunities for kids, teens and adults. Come to a couponing class, join a discussion or writing group, use our online databases, update your computer skills, bring the kids to make a craft, learn at a financial seminar - we have it all. Come visit the heart of the community - your public library - and gather with friends and neighbors to explore and enjoy books, programs and more to make your life better.

Geekthelibrary is a national campaign that promotes awareness and advocacy of the public library. So please share what you geek. Share what your library does for you and your community. And help us spread the word that your public library needs everyone's support.

Why visit your library in 2011?

A snapshot of your library reveals:

* You can save money by using the library! The Library offers over 225 magazines and a collection of more than 120,000 books and other items to make life-long learning possible. We have expanded access to thousands of materials that we can get for you. Don't buy it; get in on loan from your library.

* A DVD movie collection is anchored by family and classic films but offers something for everyone. We accept your gently used family or children’s films to help expand the library collection. Save money by using the library. Don't rent it; borrow it from your library.

* Play Literacy Areas @ Homer Library encourage children to become aware of and comfortable with books, computers, and the library. Our new train, lego and creative play areas can stimulate a child’s intellectual and social development and prepare them for learning and school activities. Enjoy and explore the library with your family.

* Teens Rock @ Homer Library! Library teens have a creative personal space to meet with friends for study, homework, and socializing. Grant funds and help from the Friends of the Library group subsidized the teen area, which is bright, inviting, and anchored by art created by our very own library teens. Teens have tons of programs & club activities, too!

* VIP Adults/Seniors offers popular programs for adults including Armchair Travelers, Knitting Club, Cooking Classes, and other educational and inviting programs. We see growing use in these tough economic times. Learn something new and enjoy quality time at Homer Library.

DISCOVER MORE @ Your Library!

• New programs like “Reptile Club” and “Family Literacy” support our community with activities and opportunities to learn and socialize with others.
• The Bookmobile extends library services throughout the Township. With a core collection of 5,000 items it also features contests, special weekly themes, reading clubs, and more that encourage reading, library use and participation.
• Gaming @ Homer Library provides an opportunity to socialize with others, play Guitar Hero, enjoy Dance Dance Revolution, and more. Did you know that studies show there is a direct correlation to game playing and improved school performance? It’s true!
• Wiggles ‘N Giggles and Polish/English Story Time remain favorite preschool children’s programs. They provide opportunities to enjoy the library, books, and more.
• Our Teen Intern Program has 105 active teens, who volunteered 1,047 hours this past year. Library teens undertook community service activities to support the Goodings Grove Lions Club, Homer Twp. Chamber of Commerce, Homer Township, and more!
• Sunday 4-8pm hours increase your access to the library at convenient times.

We hope to see you soon.