What's New?
Attention Homeschoolers!
The library offers a wide range of tools for student learning and educational (as well as recreational) fun! We provide reference materials, online databases, and educational DVDs for students and teaching aids for parents. Library tours and instructional demonstrations are available by appointment. Contact a reference librarian to schedule a tour or instructional session. Need more information? Call 309-697-3822, ext. 13.
Things are looking up at Alpha Park!
We keep track of numbers here. Our year is a fiscal year, which has to do with income and budget. The library’s year runs from July 1 to June 30. Here are some numbers from two fiscal years, 7/1/08-6/30/09 and 7/1/09-6/30/10, aka FY 2009 and FY 2010.
FY 2009 |
FY 2010 |
Increase |
|
| Items checked out | 187,302 |
206,435 |
10.2% |
| Library visitors | 147,209 |
149,722 |
1.7% |
| People using computers | 17,923 |
29,495 |
64.5% |
| Hours, computer use | 13,938 |
20,896 |
49.9% |
| Visits to APL’s website | 15,615 |
21,119 |
35.3% |
The last three sets of numbers seem HUGE, and there are suspected reasons. The number of people using computers rose because we added three new computers; we have new software which counts people better than staff ever could, manually. Ditto on the hours of use: more computers, more accurate numbers from the computer software. And we think website visits increased as more people have become aware that they can put a “hold” on books (from other libraries) from their home computers, and have those books and other items delivered to APL. Next year we’ll have better figures to compare. Having said all that, things are looking up, all the way around!
Visitor counts might be higher, too, if we didn’t have to turn people away from using our meeting rooms, as space is snapped up quickly. We hate to turn people away, but we’re popular—and that’s good!
Alpha Park Library - Out And About
This past year, the Library has reached out to more and more patrons in our district. Our collection at the Mapleton Recreation Center has been a big hit with home daycare providers as well as other readers, and continues to be updated with new titles. The Cedars of Lebanon discussion group is as lively as ever and open to any Cedars resident. We’ve also had guest speakers at the Bellevue Senior Center and we visit the Glasford Senior Center once a month as a “library on wheels.” This allows the Glasford seniors the opportunity to browse books and videos, check them out, and return them the following month. If you’d like to learn how the library could meet the needs of your group, contact Heidi Rhea at 309- 697-3822, ext. 13 or hrhea@alphapark.org. We would be happy to talk to your organization or group about what the library has to offer. And keep your eyes open for your library—you never know where we might turn up!
Find Us On Facebook
Attention Facebook users! The Alpha Park Public Library is alive and well on Facebook with over 200 fans already! Be sure to “like” our page to stay up to date with library events or join in on lively discussions. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Facebook, contact Heidi Rhea at 309-697-3822, ext. 13 or hrhea@alphapark.org.
Coupons, Coupons, Coupons—Looking For Coupons?
Did you know that the library offers a free coupon exchange? It’s simple—come into the library, browse through our coupon box and help yourself to coupons for products or restaurants that you patronize. In order to keep the program working, we accept manufacturer’s coupons that have not expired. Coupons are in the magazine reading area.
Library Collection now available at Mapleton Recreation Center!
Near the Mapleton Recreation Center? Stop in and browse our collection for a book or video. There is something for all ages and the titles change frequently. A librarian will be there the first Monday morning each month for questions or suggestion. Looking for a specific title or author? Call ahead (697-3822, ext. 13) and we’ll send the material to the recreation center for you to check out. Stop in and see what the library has for you!