1. Library Hours, phone numbers and address

2. Normal Public Library - A Brief History

3. Driving Directions to the Library

4. Library Floor Plan

5. Library Resources

6. Library Services

7. Services for Special Needs

8. Interlibrary Loan

9. How to get a Library Card

10. Friends of the Normal Public Library

LIBRARY HOURS & CONTACTS

Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

And yes, the Normal Public Library is open on Sundays all year round!

Phone: 309-452-1757
Children's Dept.: 309-454-4668
FAX: 309-452-5312

The Library's address is 206 W. College Ave. Normal, IL 61761

NORMAL PUBLIC LIBRARY - A BRIEF HISTORY

Individuals who have served as Head Librarian at Normal Public Library are Margaret Hanna (1935-65); Arlita Austin (1966-68); Frances Brennan (1969-71); Ruby Hundley (1971-72); and Robert Wegman (1972-present).

The Normal Public Library began modestly in 1935 as a Reading Room sponsored by
the Community Council and funded by the Works Project Administration (WPA).
Miss Margaret Hanna volunteered her services as librarian for the collection of 300 books. The first location was over the old Normal State Bank—now Waiting Room Records at 113 W. North Street; the second, Douglas Store—now Homespun Treasures at
117 W. North Street.

In 1938, citizens voted to support the library by public taxation. The library moved to a large room over Hildebrandt’s Drug Store in Payne’s Community Hall at
118 ½ W. North Street -- where the first Board of Trustees meeting was held on
April 27, 1938. The six elected members drew straws to determine the lengths of
their terms. Miss Hanna was hired as the first Head Librarian.

The next two locations for the library were 207 North Street—now Paintin’ Place; and
in August 1964, the former Eisner Grocery, 205 Broadway Street—now the parking
lot across from Commerce Bank.

In 1971, citizens approved a bond issue to finance a new building. The library moved to
its current location at 206 W. College Avenue on May 5, 1973, with the help of staff, volunteers, and the Illinois National Guard.

Circulation, materials, and demand for services continued to grow rapidly. In 1985, a
needs assessment by staff and community concluded that the library was in desperate
need of additional space. In 1989-1990, the Town of Normal approved a plan to raise
the property tax level by $1.4 million over a four-year period for library construction.
Bids for the library addition project went out in November 1991 on a design-build basis. Groundbreaking for the 25,700 sq. ft. addition took place on April 8, 1992, with completion of the addition and remodeling of the old building projected for the fall of 1993.

Normal Public Library has grown from 300 donated books to a diverse collection of nearly 200,000 materials. Traditional printed materials and the latest in computer and CD-ROM technology are available for public use. The library has changed as the community’s information needs have changed, but one thing is constant: the desire to provide the best possible service to our community.

LIBRARY RESOURCES

BOOKS--the strength of any public library lies in its book collection. Normal Public Library's book collection includes: general fiction, mysteries, westerns, romances, science fiction, non-fiction, large print, biographies, paperbacks, young adult titles, children's titles, test study guides (for ACT, SAT, LSAT, GED, GRE, TOEFL, ASVAB, etc.).

MAGAZINES--NPL subscribes to over 300 magazines, everything from "Antiques" to "UTNE Reader", from "Growing Without Schooling" to "National Enquirer." Most of NPL's magazines are of general interest; we do not subscribe to scholarly journals. Back issues of magazines are kept for four years; all but the current issue are available for checkout.

NEWSPAPERS--NPL receives 16 newspapers, including major dailies throughout central Illinois, both Chicago papers, and assorted out-of-state papers such as "Wall Street Journal" and "New York Times." Newspapers are kept for four weeks.

AUDIO/VISUAL--NPL offers a variety of audiovisual materials for checkout, including one of the largest collections of books-on-tape in the downstate area (both abridged & unabridged); books-on-cd, books-on-mp3cd, compact discs, videos, dvd's, and computer software.

COMPUTER--NPL offers computer software (IBM and Apple) and IBM Compatible CD-ROMS for checkout to adult cardholders.

REFERENCE--NPL is constantly expanding our reference resources to serve the information needs of our patrons. Sources available include: reference books in all areas; tax forms; college catalogs on microfiche; local history materials; and access to the Internet and Online Databases.

LIBRARY SERVICES

• Children's Department
• Sign on to our E-mail List
• Reference & Information Desk
• Computerized Card Catalog
• Community Room available free of charge to local groups for meetings.
• Programs for adults, including author visits, reading clubs, and guest speakers.
• Special Services for homebound patrons.
• Coin-operated copiers
• Microcomputers for public use, including access to the Internet
• Bestseller Rental Collection
• Reserve Cards
• Handicapped Accessible
• Quiet Study Rooms
• Reciprocal borrowing for patrons with valid library card from most Illinois public libraries.
• Notary publics on staff
• Library Newsletter

SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

HOMEBOUND DELIVERY of library materials is available to patrons living in Normal who are unable to come to the library due to permanent or temporary disability or illness.

DEPOSIT COLLECTIONS are placed in nursing homes and retirement communities upon request.

TALKING BOOK SERVICE, a free service for persons unable to read standard print because of a visual or physical disability.

BI-FOCAL KITS, multimedia kits used to stimulate discussion; often used in nursing home settings or with intergenerational groups. Topics include "Farm Days", "Birthdays", "Remembering the Depression", "Remembering County Fairs" and many others.

COMPUTER FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED individuals is available in the upstairs computer lab. Call 452-1757 to set up an appointment, or stop in and talk to any of the friendly A-V staff.

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE COMPUTER TERMINALS

TDD -- 309-452-3233

For further information about special services available at Normal Public Library, contact Mary Lou Lawson, 309-452-1757.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN

Since Normal Public Library is unable to acquire all of the printed material available, we, in cooperation with libraries throughout the world, offer Interlibrary Loan service. Patrons may fill out request forms for items not owned by NPL. Requests are searched by computer in the collections of the Resource Sharing Alliance; materials not found at these sites may be found through state and nationwide computer searches. If you cannot find the book you need at NPL, just ask for an Interlibrary Loan form, and we'll track it down!

HOW TO GET A LIBRARY CARD

Materials in the Normal Public Library are available to the public for use in the library. If you wish to check out materials, you must have a current library card for NPL or from cooperating public libraries in Illinois.

If you are a resident of the Town of Normal, you will get your FREE library card at NPL. Proof of address is required, as is parental consent for anyone under age 14. To show proof of address, we ask that you bring a picture ID and something with your name and current address on it -- for example, your checkbook, a piece of mail addressed to you, a rental agreement, a driver's license, a car insurance form, etc. Children may receive a library card when they enter kindergarten or turn five years old, whichever comes first; in order for a child to have a library card, at least one parent or guardian must also have a card.

Patrons with a library card from Bloomington, Hudson, El Paso, Towanda, Golden Prairie District, or other local public libraries, may check out materials at Normal Public Library, and vice versa. However, you must get your library card in the city/town where you live and to whom you pay your taxes! This is the sole factor that determines where you get your library card. For example, if you live in the Unit 5 school district, you will only get an NPL card if you live in Normal; otherwise you must get your card in Bloomington, Towanda, Carlock, Hudson, or wherever you live. It is confusing! But remember -- you can use your library card at any cooperating public library in Illinois, but you must get your card in the city where you live. (One exception to this rule is patrons with a card from the LeRoy Public Library; because the LeRoy library does not participate in reciprocal borrowing agreements with other state libraries, LeRoy cards are good for checkout ONLY at the LeRoy library. LeRoy patrons are, of course, welcome to use NPL materials in the library, but they cannot check out NPL material).

Illinois State University students are eligible for an NPL card, provided they are living in a dorm or in housing in the Town of Normal. ISU students must bring a photo ID and proof of address in order to receive a card for NPL.

FRIENDS OF THE NORMAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Friends of Normal Public Library are individuals who share a common belief that a good public library is essential to the intellectual and cultural growth of the community. Members of the Friends work together to promote the continued development and improvement of the Normal Public Library. Over the years, the Friends have contributed thousands of dollars to the library to make possible the purchase of books, equipment, and continuing education for staff that are not covered in the budget. The Friends have held book sales, underwritten program costs, served on committees, and helped out at special library events.

Annual membership fees are $5.00 individual, $10.00 family, and $100 lifetime. Ask for membership information at the Circulation Desk or print out a registration form to mail in, and show your support of Normal Public Library by becoming a Friend.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one"
--Ralph Waldo Emerson