RSAcat Mobile App

 

Another fun fact: We have an app! The RSAcat Mobile app makes it easy to access the library from anywhere. You can browse the library’s collection, see details about items, place a hold for later pickup, and renew items you have checked out.

A less known feature: If you're in the store and wondering if a book for sale is available at the library - you can use this app to scan the ISBN and find it in our system. How cool is that!?

 
Don't forget to join us this Saturday to celebrate the library. Drop in 11-12:30 for finger foods, cookies, and face painting. 

What we have to offer:

 

Fun fact: We're more than just books! We also have DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and puzzles. We don't have CDs, but you can order those! Our patrons can also check out passes for FREE admission to area museums and the zoo. We have computers, Wi-Fi, tables for studying, couches for sitting, toys to be played with, and take and make kits to be claimed. If you need to scan something, to make copies, or to send a fax, we're happy to help.

Don't forget to join us this Saturday to celebrate the library. Drop in 11-12:30 for finger foods, cookies, and face painting.

Games through Interlibrary Loan

Here's a fun fact: Did you know you could borrow games (like for Xbox and PlayStation) through interlibrary loan? This is great if you want to try a game before you buy it. Game on!

It's the library building's birthday week! Don't forget to join us this Saturday to celebrate the library. Drop in 11-12:30 for finger foods, cookies, and face painting. 

Interlibrary Loan

It's the library building's birthday week! We'll be dropping fun facts the whole week to share what we do.

Here's your first fun fact: Did you know we can order books from other libraries in Illinois? If you can't find an item on our shelves, chances are we can order it through interlibrary loan!

Don't forget to join us this Saturday to celebrate the library. Drop in 11-12:30 for finger foods, cookies, and face painting. 

Book Club 5/9/24

Join us May 9 @ 6 PM for our next book club! We're reading "What Lies in the Woods" by Kate Alice Marshall.

National Library Week

 

UPDATE: Congratulations to Vicki Boyles for winning the Friends of the Library National Library Week basket!!! 🥳

We are celebrating National Library Week next week! This is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.

Starting Saturday, April 6, you can get a chance to win this basket! All you need to do is utilize library services. Each time you check out material (books, a puzzle, DVDs, etc), use the computers, get copies made, attend story time, utilize a space for studying or working, come in to read the newspaper, etc. you get yourself a ticket for a chance to win!

The drawing will be Monday, April 15, at 9 AM. See you at the library!

Fine Free FAQ

We are a Fine-Free library! This change is a part of a national institutional movement, guided by the recommendations of the American Library Association, to increase free public access to library services. We are excited to eliminate overdue fines and increase access to our collection!

Why is the Library going fine free?

We are proud to join the thousands of public libraries across the country in eliminating overdue fines to enhance access, provide equitable service, increase use, and remove penalties from children and families who can least afford them.

What about existing overdue fines on Library accounts?

All existing overdue fines on all patron accounts are forgiven. Patrons with overdue or billed items are encouraged to return these items to the Library for a fresh start.

Are there still due dates?

Yes. Our loan periods have not changed. All items have due dates!

What if a checked-out item is not returned?

Any item that is not returned 21 days past the due date will be considered “lost,” and a replacement fee will be charged. When lost items are returned to the Library, the replacement fee is cleared.

If fines have been waived, why does my account still show I owe money?

The Library is eliminating overdue fines, but fees for lost or damaged items remain on customers’ accounts.

Do fines encourage responsibility?

Research shows that charging overdue fines does not result in items being returned on time. Eliminating overdue fines does not eliminate the consequences for not returning items — the Library will continue to charge replacement fees for billed, lost, or damaged items.

I considered payment of fines as my way of supporting the library. Will you still accept payment?

The Library is always grateful for donations of any amount! 

Birthday Party 4/27/24

Can you believe it's already been 5 years since we've moved to our new building!? Come help us celebrate on Sat. April 27th!  Drop in for some snack foods and face painting.

Book Club 4/4/24

Join us April 4th @ 6 PM for our next book club! We're reading "I Shall Be Near to You" by Erin Lindsay McCabe.

Solar Eclipse 4/8/24

                                                SOLAR ECLIPSE

On April 8, 2024, the Sun and the Moon are lining up to give us an opportunity to see a partial solar eclipse.

WHAT IS IT?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, and the Moon (which is between the Sun and Earth) temporarily blocks the Sun’s light. The kind of eclipse you see from your location depends on the Moon’s orbital path across Earth’s surface and how far away the Moon is from Earth and from the Sun.

There are three different types of solar eclipses: partial, total, and annular. A partial solar eclipse is when the Moon partly covers the Sun—it usually looks like a bite has been taken out of it! A total solar eclipse is when the Moon totally covers the Sun. An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon appears a little smaller in the sky than the Sun, so it cannot fully block the Sun’s rays. During an annular eclipse, you’ll see a bright ring around the edges of the Moon with the Sun peeking out from behind it.

Mercer County, Illinois will see a partial eclipse. Southern Illinois will see a total eclipse.

HOW DO WE SEE IT?

You must always use proper solar viewing equipment when looking up at any type of solar eclipse. Regular sunglasses are NOT safe for viewing an eclipse, and irreversible eye damage can occur in seconds. At no time is the Sun safe to view with just your eyes. You won’t feel eye damage until it has happened. You do not have nerve endings inside your eyes that will register pain as the damage is occurring. 

Certified solar viewing glasses or viewers are the best way to protect your eyes so you can look up during an eclipse!

WHERE CAN I GET SOLAR VIEWERS?

The library has free solar viewers to allow for safe viewing of the eclipse. There is a limited supply, so get yours today! Limited to one solar viewer per household.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The length of the eclipse will depend on your viewing location. The partial phases will last 1 to 2 hours both before and after. For most locations, the maximum eclipse will last between 2 and 5 minutes, but it will be longer or shorter in some places.

For April 8, 2024, our best viewing time in the Mercer County area is approximately from 12:46 pm-3:17 pm, with maximum viewing around 2:02 pm. This is the deepest point of the eclipse, with the Sun at its most hidden.

For more information, visit these websites:

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/

https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/explore/solar-eclipses-across-illinois/

All images provided by Adler Planetarium, https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

Congresswoman Mary Miller Mobile Office Hours

Congresswoman Mary Miller’s casework team is hosting mobile office hours here at the library the fourth Wednesday of the month from 11-2 to help with Social Security, IRS, VA, and other federal issues. 

Paint Party 3/16/24

Get ready to kick off spring with this cute new sign! Wood Designs by Di will be here March 16 @ 1PM. Call 309-582-2032 to claim your spot!

RSAcat Mobile App

Great news!! The RSAcat app is back! If you didn't uninstall the app, it should be working. If you uninstalled the app, you will have to reinstall it. The app is currently listed on Android’s Google Play Store and Apple App Store (iOS) 

The RSAcat Mobile app makes it easy to access the library from anywhere. You can browse the library’s collection, see details about items, make your selection and place a hold for later pickup, and renew items you have checked out. The app’s location finder lets you find the location and operating hours of public libraries around you. The comprehensive account management includes the ability to link other library cards to easily manage multiple accounts from one app.

To download the app, search for RSAcat Mobile in your app store.

To use all the features of our new app you need to login with your library card number and pin. If you don’t know your PIN, please contact your library to have it reset.

My Account Major Features:

• View your checkouts, renew them if they have available renewals
• View your current holds, modify the pickup library, set hold suspension dates or cancel one or more holds
• View your fines
• Add Linked Accounts to add additional cards to your app. Linked cards include all My Account features listed above

Searching and Holds Features:

• Use the search box on the homepage to perform searches
• Search results are limited to your home library by default if you are logged in
• If you are not logged in, search results display for all 190+ RSAcat libraries
• Filter your results using the 3 options at the bottom of the results page – Limit To: changes the search library, Format: allows you to limit to books, movies, music and more, Collection: allows you to select an eBook provider
• Touch any title to see more information about it or place a hold
  
  

Other Features:

• Nearest Libraries: allows you to find other public libraries in the area, see their hours, location, contact information, and the library’s website
• Scan ISBN Barcode: scan the barcode of a book with your device’s camera to see if it’s available in an RSAcat library
• My Barcode: if you are logged in, it shows your library card number and barcode and any linked cards you have added to your app. Note: the barcode displayed may not scan in the library

Book Club 3/14/24

 

Join us Mar 14 @ 6 PM for book club! We're reading The Last Flight by Julie Clark. We have extra copies available here at the library.

Blind Date with a Book

Need a date for Valentine's Day? Look no further! Stop in to the library to grab a Blind Date with a Book. Choose a book, check it out, take it home, unwrap, read & enjoy. If your date turns out to be a dud, at least there's chocolate! 😍 Limited time only.

FOL Meeting 4/20/24

 

Mark your calendars for the Spring Friends of the Library Meeting April 20 @ 10 AM.

Closed 1/23

Due to the icy conditions, the library is closed today (1/23). We'll open back up at 9 AM tomorrow!

Linleigh has read 1,000 books before kindergarten! Way to go, Linleigh!!!

To find out more about 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten visit the library or check out our website.

Book Club 2/8/24

Join us Feb 8 @ 6 PM for book club! We're reading Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart. We have extra copies available here at the library.

Senior Center Presentation 2/14/24

 

Michelle from Mercer County Senior Center will be at the library Feb 14th to talk about all the great things they have to offer! Mark your calendars & we'll see you there!