Library Happenings by Julie Jarman

Library Land 101: Since it is once again time to go back to school for young people and teachers alike, not to mention all the people headed back to college, it's the perfect time to go back in the archives and do a crash course in library education as well.

The following sections are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions of Illinois Libraries.

What is an Illinois Library? A public library is an entity that is established under state funding or regulations to serve a community, district or region and that provides the following:

An organized collection of printed or other library materials or a combination thereof; paid staff, an established schedule in which services of the staff are available to the public, facilities necessary to support such a collection, a staff, and a posted schedule, and is supported in part or whole with public funds.

What type of libraries are there in Illinois? There are four types of libraries found in Illinois: city, district, township and county libraries. The most common types are city and district libraries.

What type of library does Staunton have? Staunton Public Library is a city library supported solely by local city taxes.

What do I need to do to get a Library card in Staunton? If you live inside the city of Staunton or own property in Staunton you are entitled to a library card since your city taxes help support the library. To receive a library card, you need to bring in two pieces of identification to prove residence requirements preferably one thing with a photo identification such as a drivers' license or state identification. A water bill, electric bill, voter's card, and FOID card are all acceptable forms of identification along with the photo identification.

If I live just outside the city limits can I get a library card? If a person lives close to Staunton but just outside the city limits and/or resides in the Staunton school district, they can then buy a non-resident card for a fee of $35 per year. Proof of residency is also required to get a non-resident card.

How are non-resident fees determined? This fee is determined by a combination of figuring property tax divided by population multiplied by the average number of households in our town. By state law non-resident fees can be equal to or greater than the mathematical equation determined, but it can't be lower. This is how the $35 non-resident fee for the Staunton Public Library is determined. It is the equivalent of what city residents pay in local taxes to the library.

Free cards for kids: There is a program now available that was passed through the Illinois Assembly allowing young people ages 3 to 18 years of age who live in non-resident library areas to qualify for a free library card. If a child is eligible for the reduced lunch program based on income, they can then bring that documentation to the library for a free card to check out items. The idea is to get materials into the hands of those who might otherwise not be able to access them. Families will need to visit the Staunton area school to get the documentation needed to qualify for the library card program. Proof of address also needs to be shown.

First Story Time of the school year starts Thursday, Sept. 8 - for ages 3 and up. It starts at 4 p.m. Let us know if you want to be on our story time list for reminders. It should be a fun time for all!

Check out our facebook page for updates, email us at staunton [email protected] for any questions or copies you might need printed. Our fax line is 618-635-2246 or give us a call at 618-635-3852. Come see us as the Staunton Public Library soon!