Library News
Had enough of this relentless snow and cold and the cabin fever that goes with it? The library is a great place to weather your winter woes. We’ve actually been busier than ever even during the worst days when our schools were closed. During the month of January:
- We circulated 220,394 items with our popular materials in the Marketplace accounting for 27% of all checkouts.
- A record 504 customers attended a tech class in our Training Center and 264 had Studio appointments to use our media equipment.
- Many found they could use the library from home - a record
The library is the perfect place on a cold winter's day. Grab a magazine or newspaper and warm up by our cozy fireplace, generously funded by the Friends of the Library. While you're here, browse the Marketplace collection and see what's new and trending in the new year.
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library is featured in the December 12 Chicago Tribune article, "Beyond the stacks: Libraries reinvent themselves for the 21st century." The article highlights many of the ways our library has redesigned its spaces and services for the way our customers are using the library. In its mention of AHML offering over 50 tech classes each month, Executive Director Jason Kuhl says, "It's more about learning the tool than just providing the tool." It reflects the commitment we've made to continue to respond to the changing needs of our residents in the most relevant ways. Read
For the sixth consecutive year, AHML has received a five-star rating in Library Journal's national rating of public libraries. Five stars is the highest rating that a library can receive and a recognition achieved by only 1% of the nation's libraries. Star ratings are based on the annual number of library visits, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use.This is an honor for not only our staff and the Library Board of Trustees, but also for you, our customers. Thank you for making us a 5-star library once again. See Library Journal's 2013 Index of Star Libraries.
Are you considering purchasing an eReader or tablet this holiday season? Stop by our Tech Bar and try out a variety of devices. AH cardholders can check out a Nook HD tablet or Nook Simple Touch eReader for two weeks. Once checked out, our Tech Help Desk can assist you in loading the titles of your choice from our 3M Cloud Library or OverDrive eBook collections.
Local middle school student Josh M. spent the day shadowing the library’s Information Technology department. Josh discovered what a career in Information Technology entails in a library setting. They were connected through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.
Sunday is typically a busy day at the library, but the crowd swelled even more on Celebrate Your Library Day on August 18. Community members gathered to:
- Learn about new technology at the Tech Bar and tech classes
- Have their photo taken in the Studio and Lindsey Room
- Play math games in Kids' World
- Visit with A.H. authors and local artist Joe Burlini
- Watch cooking demos and taste some delicious samples
- Learn about library resources for automotive repairs
- Tour the bookmobile
- Sign up to be a Friend of the Library
- Get their first library card
Our thanks to
Congratulations to the prize winners at our Celebrate Your Library Day Open House. Prizes for these lucky AH cardholders were courtesy of the Friends of the Library:
iPad–Anna Lomeyko
Nooks–Edith Nagy and Michael Grafman
Barnes & Noble Gift Cards–Mark Hempel, Jennifer Lynn, Kristin Liegel, and Alan Camposagrado