Parking lot project approved by Board

The MPLD Board of Trustees has approved the parking lot expansion project. Construction tentatively will begin around Sept. 15, concluding around late October/early November.

There will be some disruption of service - possible closed days as well as daily vehicles moves, areas of the parking lot cordoned off/not available for both patrons and staff, possibly an entrance (North) not being available. This will result in restricted parking at times. But in the end, the favorable result will produce more parking and less congestion. We'll try to do a good job of forecasting, signage, maps, etc. as the construction project progresses.

Parking Lot Expansion Project to Begin Soon

We're happy to announce that we're about to begin the process of expanding our parking lot. Bids for construction will be going out in August. We'll be adding 41 more spaces to our empty lot just to the north (as you can see by the heavily outlined area in the diagram at right). The board has budgeted no more than $400,000 for this project, which will be paid for out of the money we saved by coming in under budget on last year's renovation. The new parking area will have lighting as well, and a pedestrian walkway to the main entrance.

Peterson Farm Day June 26

Come see the library at the farm! Peterson Farm Day, that is. Sunday, June 26 from 10 to 4. Find us by the animals and get a free gift!

Bloodmobile at Library June 8

Donate blood and the Heartland Blood Center will give you a gift card for a free quart of Oberweis ice cream! Heartland's mobile bloodmobile will be in the McHenry Public Library's parking lot on Wednesday, June 8 from 12 to 4 p.m. Appointments aren't necessary, but can be made at the library's Checkout Desk. The library is located on Route 31 just north of Lillian St. For more info, visit www.heartlandbc.org or www.mchenrylibrary.org or call 800-786-4483 or 815-385-0036.

Summer Reading Club 2011

Join us this summer as we travel the globe to read! Summer Reading Club is just around the corner. We’ll have different summer reading programs for kids, teens and adults. Our big kickoff is Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drop by the library that day for games, prizes, refreshments, entertainment, and to pick up your book bag/book log and register for summer programs. Kids and teens will get prizes as they read more books, and adults get a free paperback when they register and an entry into the Grand Prize drawing.

Kids' theme: One World, Many Stories

Teen's theme: You are Here!

Adult's theme: Novel Destinations

For more info, visit www.mchenrylibrary.org or stop by at 809 N. Front St. (Rt. 31).

Welcome to MPLD's blog!

We've changed the focus of our blog from our recently completed building renovation to general information.

Latest Library News:

• Check out an eReader (we have four Nooks available) or download books to your own device from home -- instructions on our website!
• New online catalog -- BiblioCommons replaces iBistro. Easier to use, interact with other users, create lists and manage your library account!
• Register for Spring programs. Use the "Events" link on our website.
  

New carpeting and other items

Greetings McHenry Library Patrons, Now that our renovation is finished, it's time for a bit of clean-up on various projects. During the first week in Jan. 2011, we will be relaying carpeting in the main library, service desk area because the rubberized/cork surface did not stick well. Hopefully this carpeting will remedy the situation. We have also changed the outdoor drive-up materials drop - basically lowering it, restripping the return lane, adding signage for drivers/pedestrians and wrapping the drop for weather/damage. In Feb./Mar., we'll be adding interior blinds/window coverings. Also in Feb., we'll be changing our PC reservation and printing/wireless printing software to an updated version, easier for staff and patrons to use.

In Mar. 2011, patrons will be able to use a social network catalog - much like Amazon.com - called BiblioCommons to access our card catalog. Wish lists, writing reviews and commentary, doing RSS feeds and linking to your Facebook page will all be part of this software. Additionally, we'll be launching e-readers with pre-loaded books for children and adults. Patrons will be able to check them out and/or use them in-house.

We hope you like what we've done with the place and what we have planned in the near future. We'd love to hear from you by e-mail and or written suggestions. Thanks. Jim Scholtz.