Library News

OREGON-MT. MORRIS School, two libraries partner for student cards

‘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.”

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 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 computer 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.

High hopes for 2021 after cancellation of the 2020 fair due to COVID-19 pandemic

BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com

The Ogle County Fair Association didn’t have much to discuss at its annual meeting on Nov. 14 thanks to the 2020 cancellation of the fair due to COVID-19.

The fair association still held its meeting to meet its bylaw obligations. Masks were worn and members socially distanced. The usual potluck dinner that comes with the meeting had to be scrapped.

“Basically, it’s just going through what happened this year, which was nothing,” President Tom Simpson said. “With it being a unique year, all our 2020 contacts, we talked with them and moved them to 2021. Planning has been done, there’s just fine tuning to do.”

The association voted on new officers at the meeting, naming Tom Simpson president, Brad Larson vice president, Roseanne Hurst treasurer and Brenda Holm secretary. Tom Snodgrass was named Volunteer of the Year.

A plaque was also presented to the family of the late Harlan Holm at the meeting. Holm, a former president and member of the board, passed away earlier this fall.

“We’re definitely going to miss him,” Simpson said. “He did a lot for the fair and his heart and soul was in it. There will be a few bumps in the road. We’ve all learned from him and we’ll try to carry on his legacy.”

Simpson said updates regarding next year’s fair will start to be put out on Facebook as the months go by. The 2021 fair dates are July 28 through Aug. 1.

“We don’t know what our future holds,” Simpson said of planning during COVID-19. “With this past year, everything has changed. Will it change what we do next year? I hope not. We have all our traditions and we’d like to continue them. As we get closer, things may change. We’ll have recommendations from the state and the Ogle County Health Department. I want to believe it’ll be a normal year.”

The Ogle County Fair Association voted on new officers this week for 2021. Tom Simpson was named president, Brad Larson was named vice president, Roseanne Hurst was named treasurer and Brenda Holm was named secretary. Pictured, left to right, are Hurst, Larson, Simpson, and Holm. Photo supplied.