Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Groundbreaking Ceremony at LME Library


The Lillie M. Evans Library District will be hosting a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 1:00pm to mark the beginning of construction on our library expansion project.  The groundbreaking ceremony is the culmination of many years of hard work by the library board, staff and community members.  The new addition will address some of the needs that have arisen in the last decade by focusing on the children’s area and community programming needs.

Currently, our children’s area has little space to accommodate visiting children and few places for parents to sit with children.  In addition, heavily attended library programs overfill the meeting room forcing attendees to stand outside of the entrance doors.  By expanding the library, we can move the children’s area to a better sized location, and the addition of a larger meeting room would provide more space for programming and an additional community space.  Accommodating community needs has been a driving force for this project.  

Donald Westlake from the architectural firm of Craig Wright and Associates, is our lead architect.  Mr. Westlake was the architect who designed the 2001 addition.  Our contractor, Bishop Brothers, Inc., plans to have the project completed in 2017. The expansion can be constructed with little impact on library operations.  Construction updates will be posted regularly on the library’s website at lmelibrary.org.

The expansion project will be financed with grants, TIF funds, charitable gifts, and financing.  There are no plans to request a referendum.  Library funds have been used to pay for the property, the consultant and architectural fees and will pay for part of the construction costs.  In addition, we have also been awarded a FY16 $125,000 Live & Learn Construction grant (administered from the Secretary of State and State Librarian) and an annual disbursement of $25,000 from Princeville Village TIF District.  Please contact the library for information on donating to the project.

Friday, September 2, 2016

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time when the nation’s public libraries highlight the value of a library card. As children head back to school, family time is often hindered by homework and afterschool and social activities.
A public library card is your ticket to free educational resources and activities that bring families together. Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Libraries not only provide resources to parents and children that support early literacy and lifelong learning, but truly transform how families spend time together.
Card holders have free access to a family destination that provides a spectrum of free services, including technology instruction; STEAM programs/activities; book clubs; storytimes; and reading programs for all ages.  Today’s public libraries are thriving technology hubs that millions rely on as their first or only choice for Internet access and digital content. In addition to books, magazines, DVDs, computers, games, software and other multimedia materials, libraries provide access to e-books and e-book readers. Ninety percent of libraries offer access to e-books, an increase of 14 percent from 2012. Mobile devices, including e-book readers are available at 39 percent of libraries.
Throughout Library Card Sign-Up Month, libraries will offer a variety of incentives to spur signups and renewals. At the Lillie M. Evans Library, all library card holders can be photographed with their library cards and enter into a prize drawing.  Please stop in today to register or update your library card information and submit your entry!
Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. It is a time when the ALA and libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.

For more information regarding Library Card Sign-up Month, please visit the LME Library website at http://lmelibrary.org.