Institutional Member Spotlight - Six Mile Regional Library District
November 4, 2024
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Our latest Institutional Member Spotlight is on the Six Mile Regional Library District! The library is located in Granite City, Illinois. Continue reading to learn about the library.
Library's History
Informal library service began when the Granite City Woman's Club borrowed 50 books from the State Extension Library in Springfield and placed them in a florist shop on Delmar Avenue where they were circulated to the public from an old trunk.
The Granite City Public Library was organized by the city council following the laws of Illinois in 1912. The library had two storefront "homes" before a new library was constructed and opened in 1929 at our current location. This building received a complete renovation in 2013-2014, funded in large part by an Illinois Public Library Construction Grant. A separate "porta structure" branch building was opened to the public in 1988; this building is still in use as our branch library.
In 1990 the library converted to a library district thereby expanding the library's official boundaries beyond the city boundaries for the first time. Today the library serves three distinct communities in the same ZIP code: Granite City, Mitchell, and Pontoon Beach. The library district boundaries align with the school district boundaries, allowing all students access to a free library card.
Our name changed to the Six Mile Regional Library District in 2003. Once upon a time, our area was known as Six Mile Prairie because of our proximity to St. Louis.
Mission Statement
The library makes a significant difference in the everyday lives of the people, institutions, and communities of Granite City, Mitchell, and Pontoon Beach by listening, understanding, and then transforming needs into proactive library services.
How Many Patrons Served a Year
From the 2024 Illinois Public Library Annual Report, we had 63,085 total visits to our libraries from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
Departments
Administration, Research & Instruction Services, Customer Service, Materials Services, Youth Services, IT, Facilities.
The Staff Member Who's Worked at the Library the Longest
Julia Ellis, Cataloger, has been with the library since May 4, 1987.
The Newest Staff Member
Travis Fletcher, an Aide, has been with the library since July 15, 2024.
Why Did You Become an ILA Institutional Member?
As an Institutional Member of ILA, the library can stay up-to-date on legal issues and trends in libraries, receive discounts on conference attendance and listing jobs on the JobLine, and participate in iREAD, the Fund for Illinois Libraries, and Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA). Being an Institutional Member broadens our understanding and knowledge of libraries to provide better services to our customers.
The Best Thing About Being an ILA Institutional Member?
Getting to know the ILA staff and librarians from across the state and access to events for non-personal members.
Fun Facts About the Library
- We had a bookmobile from the early 1950s through the mid-1990s. We are hoping to bring bookmobile service back to our constituency soon.
- Three of our Trustees have been named ILA Trustee of the Year: 1983 Joan Yetter, 2014 Linda McDonnell, and 2016 Mary Jo Akeman (Mary Jo is our longest-serving trustee and has been on the library board for 48 years).
- Our current Executive Director, Tina Hubert, received the 2003 Davis Cup (Youth Services Librarian of the Year) and the 2016 Librarian of the Year awards from ILA .
- We have an above-ground exterior storm shelter for our branch library (which is made of steel and glass and sits on a slab).
Popular Events/Programs with Patrons
- Our free tax return preparation for individuals and families with low- to moderate-incomes is exceedingly popular. We have dedicated staff who take the IRS training and become certified tax preparers to file free tax returns.
- Youth storytimes are always popular. One of the most popular events we host at the Library is our annual Winter Reindeer Party, where visitors see and learn about REAL reindeer!
- Our Job Search Training Series presented by expert Frank Alaniz is quite popular too.
Favorite Event
Our favorites are the events we do in partnership with other organizations, which get us out of the library and into the community. A few of those include:
- The Granite City Area Community Foundation's annual Candy Cane Parade is on the first Saturday of each December. SMRLD staff create a float for and walk in the parade.
- The Granite City Park District's annual Halloween Festival is on the Saturday before Halloween. SMRLD staff host spooky stories during the event which is like a huge trunk- or-treat throughout our largest park and so much fun!
- TWIGS's (a local charitable organization that provides children's summer lunches) Back-to-School Family BBQ lets us provide entertainment and promote library use to hundreds of kids and their families in a fun environment.
- Attending Granite City School District's various back-to-school open houses allows us to register folks for library cards on-site at the schools.
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
Latest Library JobLine Listings
