OREGON-MT. MORRIS
‘Getting children access is one impact I wanted to make’ BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com Hilaree Lombardo has always found it hard to explain to non-district patrons that they can’t have a library card. A new program in conjunction with the Mt. Morris Library and the Oregon School District has helped the Oregon Public Library Executive Director to get library cards to some out-of-district patrons, maybe the population that needs it most— kids.
All students in the school district are eligible for library cards at both libraries. “It’d be nice if in the state you could get one anywhere, but you can’t,” Lombardo said. “Getting children access is one impact I wanted to make to start out. Non-district resident fee is $120. Mt. Morris is a smaller amount. Working with the school, we can provide all kids cards.” Lombardo is unsure how many kids will get library cards in response to the program, but she’s already seen 20 families reach out to get cards. There are residents in areas between the two towns that aren’t in either library district that will now have access to both. The state recently passed an act for kids at or below the poverty line to get access to cards, but Lombardo
is unsure how that will be rolled out and thinks her program will cover more people. The Oregon Public Library has about 2,200 patrons currently in its district of 6,100 people. She hopes that will grow due to the program. “It promotes us and they can use the library along with school,” Lombardo said. Oregon’s library has expanded its electronic resources due to COVID19. Lombardo said that wouldn’t have happened if not for the pandemic. Internet hotspots have been in demand to help families with remote learning. “The area is bad for getting a good connection,” Lombardo said. “We had a number of calls that wanted one. One was a mother with three kids doing e learning with not enough bandwidth.”
The library will be offering space for families to use for remote learning on a scheduled basis with limited capacity as the school deals with a two-week adaptive pause to in-person learning due to a COVID19 outbreak. The library has been operating in a different capacity since the pandemic and is prepared if it has to close indoors due to elevated spread in the community. “Staff has worked so hard on ways to reach out and stay open,” Lombardo said. “If we have to move back to curbside or close, we’ll answer phones and get materials to them. We rely on our delivery system from library to library, that sounds like it would be able to keep going. We’re prepared more than we were in March.”
email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to pick up yours. Family Storytime In-person family storytime is available on Fridays by appointment and for one family at a time. It will last approximately 30 minutes and will include books, rhymes and a craft. Masks will be required for ages 3 and up and you will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entry to the library. Call the library at 815-734-4927 or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.com to register. Browsing & Computer Use By Appointment We are open for browsing and com-
puter use by appointment; call they library to schedule a time. Masks are required and you will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon entering the library. No unaccompanied children are allowed in the library at this time (do not bring your children if you will be using the computer). Browsing is limited to 30 minutes and computer use to one hour. Curbside Pickup, Interlibrary Loans, Curbside Service and Interlibrary Loans are available during regular business hours. Mt. Morris patrons can place holds through the catalog, by calling or emailing. Library staff is quarantining all returned items for a period of time. Recently returned materials may remain on your account longer than usual. No overdue fines will be charged. New library cards: Patrons can call or email the library to set up an appointment to renew or receive new library cards. Please bring a photo id and a second form of id with current address. Contact the library at 815-734-4927 or mmlib@ mtmorris-il.org. Open Trustee Positions We have two Trustee positions expiring. If you are interested in being in the Spring elections, packets are available for pickup from Village Hall.
MT. MORRIS LIBRARY Light Up the Village, Parade and Tree Lighting Mt. Morris Public Library, in conjunction with Light up the Village, will be doing a small raffle for both adults and children. Every time you check out books (NOT every book you check out) between Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 will get an entry into the raffle. We will pick the winner on Saturday, Dec. 5. We will also have to-go craft kits available – bead ornament for children, book page ornament for teens and red napkin poinsettias for adults to pick up on Saturday. To-Go Craft Kits! Kids Craft (ages 3-9): “Pom Turkey” available while supplies last. We will provide everything except glue. Adult Craft for ages 19 and up is Rock Painting, we provide everything! Call the library (815-734-4927) or email dawn.mtmorrislib@gmail.org to reserve yours. Free Library Cards for all OCUSD 220 Students Mt. Morris Public Library and Oregon Public Library, in conjunction with OCUSD 220, are partnering for a pilot program where all students qualify for a free library card. Information and forms will be sent home from the school. Contact the library at 815-734-4927.
To-Go Craft Kits Kids Craft for ages 3-9: “Pom Turkey” available while supplies last. We will provide everything except glue. Adult Craft for ages 19 and up is Rock Painting and we provide everything! Call the library at 815-734-4927 or email dawn. mtmorrislib@gmail.com to reserve and pick up yours. Virtual Storytime & To-Go Kits Virtual Storytime will be at 11:15 a.m. via Facebook Live every Wednesday. Weekly Storytime themed kits will be available and will include a free book, a craft, a letter book, stickers and tracing page. Call the library at 815-734-4927 or
• Oregon Republican Reporter • Mt. Morris Times •Tri-County Press • Forreston Journal Only $39 a year for subscribers living in Ogle County. Call 815-732-6166, ext. 2518 to subscribe today!
OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, November 27, 2020
School, two libraries partner for student cards
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