Institutional Member Spotlight - Peoria Public Library
October 7, 2024
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Our latest Institutional Member Spotlight is on the Peoria Public Library! With this year’s ILA Annual Conference taking place in Peoria, it’s only fitting to highlight the city’s library. Continue reading to learn about the library.
Library's History
Peoria’s claim to fame is Erastus S. Willcox. It was Willcox who drafted the legislation to create free, tax-supported libraries in Illinois. The bill was introduced by Peoria Representative Samuel Caldwell and passed in 1872, becoming a model for the nation. As Willcox, who became Peoria’s first city Librarian (director) boasted, the 1872 law “was the first broadly planned, comprehensive and complete Free Public Library law placed on the statute of books of any state in the Union.”
Source: https://www.lib.niu.edu/1999/il990294.html
Peoria Public Library, established in 1880, started in second floor rooms rented in Downtown Peoria. We’ve grown to five locations across the City. Our first branch library was a Carnegie library, dedicated in 1911. The Main Library remains in the heart of Downtown.
Mission Statement
Peoria Public Library will provide all residents books, other printed materials, new technologies, and programs that stimulate personal intellectual growth and development and provide a satisfying experience that nurtures a love of reading and the joy of discovery.
How Many Patrons Served a Year
In 2023, we had 293,451 visits to the Library. With four months still to go in 2024 we have already had 232,113 visits.
Departments
Administration, Adult Services, Circulation, IT, Maintenance, Public Relations, Programming, Collection Management, Technical Services, Outreach, and four branch locations.
The Staff Member Who's Worked at the Library the Longest
Kathleen Roberts joined the Library in 1979. She works in Technical Services and is the main conduit for Inter-Library Loan requests.
The Newest Staff Member
Josh Knight, a Library Assistant at our Lakeview Branch, just started on September 18.
Why Did You Become an ILA Institutional Member?
ILA does so much for libraries, we feel that it is important that we, as an institution, support the organization.
The Best Thing About Being an ILA Institutional Member?
The institutional membership benefits. In addition to the discounts for staff to attend conferences and events, the ability to be a member of LIRA, as well as take advantage of one complimentary job posting per year on the Library Jobline of Illinois and the complimentary iREAD Resource Guide are great perks.
Fun Fact About the Library
Two years ago, we married history and high-tech during a groundbreaking partnership with local artists, including internationally known and celebrated artist Preston Jackson.
Eight augmented reality murals of notable Peorians, designed by local artists, grace the windows of Peoria Public Library’s Main Library. Scan each mural with a free app and a video featuring a local actor portraying the subject of the mural will tell you stories from a first-person perspective.
Popular Events/Programs with Patrons
- Haunted House at Lincoln Branch – Every year, staff spends weeks designing an all-ages Haunted House. Open for only two hours on Halloween, 300 to 400 patrons of all ages visit for a good scare and Halloween goodie bags.
- Storytime at Luthy Botanical Garden – McClure Branch Manager Miss Rose (yes, her name is fitting) leads a special storytime at Peoria’s botanical garden during the spring and summer.
- Music in the McKenzie – Going strong for 13 years now, Peoria Public Library offers free community concerts featuring local, regional, and sometimes even national acts.
Favorite Event
Hands down, our favorite event has to be Summer Reading. Not only because of the connections we make, but the parties are just so darn fun! For over 20 years, Lincoln Branch has hosted a bike giveaway, where, thanks to community donations, close to 100 brand-new bikes are given to Summer Readers, from toddlers to teenagers.
In addition to the bike giveaway, we’ve also hosted Summer Reading celebrations for families at local venues such as the Peoria Zoo, on the Peoria riverfront, and at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
This year, for the third annual Summer Reading celebration just for adults, we took over the Main Library after hours, bringing in a popular local jazz/funk band. We had games, food, henna tattoos, BINGO, and more spread out across 3 of our 5 floors, so there was something for everyone.
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
Latest Library JobLine Listings
