To the editor,
Polo’s Carnegie Library has been serving its community for 116 years and is a valuable asset.
Join us in exploring how using the library can enrich your life and help you save money, too.
Ask yourself “what are the barriers to using the library?” You may say it’s hours, no time to read, finding time to attend a program or maybe you have a late fee you’ve been dreading paying.
The library is open Monday - Saturday, a total of 47 hours each week. Hopefully, you can find a time to visit that is convenient.
Maybe you work odd hours, are a full time caregiver, or for some other reason it’s hard for you to get to the Library.
Our digital collection is available to you anytime. If you need free internet, public Wi-Fi is available 24/7 with your device or ours (during Library hours) and is extended to the pavilion.
We are now offering some Saturday programs in addition to those offered on weekdays and evenings.
To help save you time we’ve identified programs that require registration on our website and added an option to register online, straight from your phone or computer!
And finally, those pesky late fees. I am pleased to tell you Polo Library is eliminating them. Items checked out from Polo Library after March 1 will not accrue late fees.
There will still be a due date, and your card will be blocked if an item is not returned on time, but you will only be charged a fee if the item is lost or damaged.
Now that we have removed most, if not all, of the barriers to using the library we hope to see you soon.
Ellen Finfrock
Director, Polo Public Library District
Christmas tree recycling program was a success
To the Editor,
The 2019-2020 Christmas Tree Recycling Program recently wrapped up and was successful despite some weather difficulties.
Even though the winter has been very mild, timely winter storms hampered the local high school FFA collections as the safety of the students took priority.
There were approximately 500 trees that were chipped in Ogle County this year, which is about 13 tons of waste diverted from the landfill.
About 15,400 trees have been recycled since the beginning of the program in the winter of 1998-1999, which is about 386 tons of trees that have been kept out of the landfill.
Drop offs were located in seven communities, including Byron, Forreston, Leaf River, Monroe Center, Oregon, Polo, and Rochelle.
In addition, high school FFA organizations from Byron, Oregon, Polo and Forreston were scheduled to collect trees on Jan. 11 and on Jan. 18.
The weather caused some difficulties each of those days, but the FFA programs adjusted and went out when possible and coordinated with local street departments to ensure trees were collected.
The trees were all chipped into usable mulch, which is available at some of the sites for pick-up.
Contact the Solid Waste Department at 815-732-4040 if you are interested in the free mulch in your area.
The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department wishes to thank the following groups for their contribution to the Ogle County Christmas Tree Recycling Program: The City of Byron, Byron High School FFA, Lichty’s Landscaping Service, Village of Forreston, Forreston High School FFA, Village of Leaf River, Oregon Park District, Oregon High School FFA, Flagg-Rochelle Park District, City of Rochelle, Polo High School FFA and Morgan’s Tree Service.
Sincerely,
Paul Cooney
Solid Waste Management Specialist
Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department