Here’s how the library staff made it a little brighter.
All while reducing expenses by almost half a million dollars in supplies, staffing, and other pandemic economies, and without raising the tax levy in 2021!
1. We were ALWAYS open.
Des Plaines Public Library staff delivered e-books, magazines, movies, and audiobooks, online classes and story times, and much more, 24/7. Staff was ready to answer your questions by phone and email, too!
2. Librarians ordered every bestseller you wanted.
Our mission is to fill your holds - whether an online or physical book. Even during a pandemic, DPPL is on track to check out over 750,000 books, music, and movies in 2020.
3. We made you a library card.
And you never had to leave your house! Lobby staff made hundreds of online cards that residents could use right away to download books.
4. We continued to bring you quality programs, classes and events - online!
Our enthusiastic staff swiftly moved our story times, crafts, and other learning adventures to online platforms. You can bake along with the Reader’s Services staff! Get moving with the Youth Services folks!
5. We brought your favorite authors (like Eric Litwin and Candace Fleming) into your homes
with exclusive online programs and book talks.
6. We provided take-home kits for all ages to pass the hours at home.
Rocky’s Kits for kids, STEM kits, mini-cross stitch and pumkin pompoms Teen Take-Away kits, book boxes, Polish Day teddy bears, and other “take and make” goodies have been a big hit.
7. Our reference librarians learned all about remote technologies and taught you how to use them as well.
Classes on Zoom filled up fast, and basic and advanced online computer classes helped patrons brush up their job skills.
8. We visited your classroom – wherever it was!
In September alone (Library Card Sign-up Month), YS staff visited over 800 students in their online classroom.
9. We helped you register to vote, learn more about the candidates, and hosted Early Voting.
More than 15,000 people safely and easily cast their ballot at Des Plaines Public Library in October and November.
10. The Library Director and the Board of Trustees made it possible for local children to have library cards who never had them before.
By special agreement with District 62 and Maine West High School, the library provided cards to more than 250 students this year.
And we are not stopping.
The staff of Des Plaines Public Library is in the building and working daily to continue to serve the residents of Des Plaines in every way we can.
We are dedicated to bringing you the services you want and need, in a fiscally responsible way, both now and always!
We have some wonderful new offerings coming in 2021 - stay tuned!
