The St. Charles Public Library and our fellow neighboring libraries are continuously looking for ways to make selecting book and materials easier.
Currently, we are testing a new and improved catalog on our website that can enhance your library experience. This “beta catalog” is located in the banner at the top of our current catalog. Once you are in the new catalog, peruse the lists of new items on the homepage; and when searching, you’ll notice how multiple formats of the same title are now grouped together. Our goal is to launch this catalog later this spring. After you have tested the new catalog, please click the survey link at the top of the page and share your opinion. Your input is valuable.
Engaging Kids and Teens
Another way we have enhanced your reading and listening experience is through our new Lit Loot subscription box service for middle school-aged kids and teens. Our librarians have created this exciting new service in which students can register to receive a free box filled with a book and library goodies. Each month features a theme: April is graphic novels and May is humor. Upon sign up, each participant is asked to fill out a profile, and our librarians select a title that matches the reader’s interest, based on their comfort level on different topics such as scary, sad or romantic stories.
Each box contains exciting items, most of which can be kept. Items include a fun bookmark, instructions for sharing their unboxing on social media, snacks and an activity. The most important inclusion is a hand-selected book, of course. Interested patrons must sign up by the 10th of each month, and pick up is scheduled between the 15th and 25th. Encourage your children and teens to check out our monthly Lit Loot.
We’re Moving!
Other exciting news to share with our community—we are getting ready to move “home” to our newly-renovated and expanded library. The St. Charles Public Library will be closing our temporary location at 305 S. Ninth St. beginning May 17, 2021. We will be moving back into our permanent building, 1 S. Sixth Ave. and reopening our doors in July. Please follow us on social media and check our website for more information regarding our move. Virtual services will continue during our closure and book drops will remain open for patrons to return materials. All of our neighboring libraries will welcome you for in-person visits while we move. We look forward to welcome you all back to Sixth Avenue in July.
Edith G. Craig is director of the St. Charles Public Library District. The “Discover Your Library” column runs the second Thursday of each month. Feedback can be sent to editorial@kcchronicle.com.