Library Happenings

We made it to Dec. The calendar months go by faster and faster each passing year. Good reading material, a funny movie, hot beverages and plenty of indoor activities is the key to successful living in the Midwest in winter.

The last month of the year brings in so much activity. The library is busy planning a children’s Christmas party, putting up a new Christmas themed Story Book Walk at Water Tower Park and tying up loose ends before 2024 begins.

One new thing the library is introducing beginning next month is a new pilot program featuring the way we will do fines in the future. Up until recently, the fine policy was twenty cents a day once the item was overdue. These charges accumulated daily until the item was renewed or returned. Fines were not allowed to accumulate above $6 or borrowing privileges would be suspended until the balance was paid.

The new policy is simply no fines assessed until after the item has been checked out for twice the amount. All check outs will remain at two weeks giving everyone ample time to enjoy the item. If you fail to bring it back by then, phone calls will be made asking for renewal of the item or a reminder to bring it back soon. If the item remains still out in the fourth week without any renewals, letters will be mailed requesting it’s safe return along with a bill stating the costs of the item. The cost of the item will show up on patron accounts until issue is resolved. However, once the item is checked in, all fines or billing costs should disappear from patron accounts.

We feel this is a simple and fair way for all involved without having to routinely hassle our loyal library patrons and twenty and forty cent fines at the circulation desk. Many other libraries in our Illinois Heartland Library System have gone this route and they all seem to agree that it works easier and is more practical for all involved. The patron is still responsible for all items borrowed. The same procedure still applies for lost and damaged items. Once the patron pays for a lost book, the account will clear. No refunds will be made once the lost or damaged book is paid for. It will be a bit of a learning curve at first but hopefully it will run smoothly once the kinks are out.

Come check out the new story at Water Tower Park. There is a new story up at Water Tower Park, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, by Jan Brett, is the perfect way to enjoy the holiday season. We hope you will bundle up for a few minutes and take time to read the story on the way to the playground. The pictures are stunningly beautiful. The reindeer look so life like. New Stories will go up every four to five or six weeks in the cold weather months, weather permitting. What a way to enjoy the season with a fun party.

Story Time Christmas Party will be on Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. for children ages three and up. A story, an activity and games will all be featured in the children’s library, it should be a great time.

The library is also hosting two student book clubs twice a month. One for grades 4 and 5 and one for grades 6, 7, and 8. Let us know if your child is interested in participating. You do not need a library card to be in the book club.

Library Holiday Closures

Saturday, Dec. 23; Monday, Dec. 25; Tuesday, Dec. 26; Saturday, Dec. 30; and Monday, Jan. 1.

Stauntons Lions Secret Santa Just a reminder that the Staunton Lions will be doing their event coming up soon. Staunton library basement, on Saturday, Dec. 16 at from 9 to 11 a.m. But you need to registered in order to participate. Applications are at the Library’s circulation desk and the deadline is quickly approaching, being Tuesday, Dec. 12. All applications need to be mailed to the address listed. The library only assist Lions with this event. We do not handle any forms.

This should wrap up the last Library Happenings of the year. Call us at 618.635.3852, email us at [email protected] or check us out on Instagram at stauntonpubliclibrary1. Our facebook page is not currently available but we hope to have it up again soon. See you all at the library.