About the Macomb Public Library

Checkout, Renewing, and Returning * Computer Access * Services * History of the Library * Support the Library * Staff * Employment * Board of Trustees

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Checkout Periods, Renewing Items, and Returning Items

Check Out

All circulating items check out for a 2-week time frame. This includes books, magazines (other than the current issue), audio books, CDs, and DVDs. If additional time is required, items may be renewed, unless there is a waiting list for the title. The Friends of the Library purchase multiple copies of best sellers to decrease waiting time.

Renewal

Items may be renewed if no one else is waiting for them. Renewals may be done once (in person, by telephone at 309-833-2714, or online) without a re-scan. Please do not request a renewal via email or on our answering machine -- these requests can be delayed, and you will not know immediately if the item can be renewed.

Extensions after the first renewal will require the item to be brought in for a re-scan. The renewal period is two weeks (14 days). If you have special needs (vacations, out-of-town), please inform the staff before checkout.

Book Return

Books and magazines may be returned at the Information Desk or in the drive-up book return on the south side of the building on Jefferson Street. Please help us take care of our audiovisual materials (including audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs) by returning them inside at the Information Desk. They may be damaged if dropped in the book return.

Fines

Fines for overdue items are five cents per day. If fines reach five dollars or more, the circulation computer will not allow you to check out more items until your account is paid.

Lost or Damaged Materials

Replaceable Materials: When a card holder returns materials in a damaged condition, or fails to return Library materials which the card holder has checked out, that person shall reimburse the Library for the cost of replacing the lost or damaged materials, plus a $2.00 processing charge.

Non-Replaceable Materials: If an exact replacement is not available for purchase, the Library will charge a fee based on the average price of similar materials as listed in the "Prices of U.S. and Foreign Published Materials" from the most current issue of Bowker Annual: Library and Book Trade Almanac.

A card holder may not check out additional materials until reimbursement for lost or damaged materials is made in full.

Macomb Public Library will not accept replacement copies for lost Library items. All Library items are purchased through Library vendors.

Appropriate procedural and legal action will be taken by the Library to recover materials or their replacement cost.

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Computer Access

The Macomb Public Library currently has six public computers with internet access and Open Office software (word processing, spreadsheets).

• Please ask at the Adult Services Desk before getting on a computer.
• Sessions are limited to 30 minutes to ensure all patrons have access.
• Patrons may request up to 2 sessions per day.
• Children under the age of 18 are required to provide a signed copy of the parental permission form before they use the computers.
• A printer is attached to all computers. The first three pages printed are free; all pages after that are 10 cents each.

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Services

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Books not available at Macomb Public Library may be borrowed from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). You may place hold requests electronically on RSACat (https://alsi.sdp.sirsi.net/client/en_US/MacombPLD/) or fill out an Interlibrary Loan Request form at the Circulation Desk. Sorry, requests cannot be made by phone. Please allow approximately 10 days for books to arrive at Macomb Public Library. A valid Macomb library card is necessary for Interlibrary Loan.

Request Forms

The library staff will reserve a book or item from our collection upon your request. You may place your holds electronically on RSACat (https://alsi.sdp.sirsi.net/client/en_US/MacombPLD/) or fill out the appropriate local request form at the Information Desk. Sorry, requests cannot be made by phone. One Book Request form (yellow) or Audio Book Request form (pink) must be completed for each desired item. You will be contacted by telephone or e-mail when items become available.

Fax Machine

A fax machine is available at the Information Desk. The cost is one dollar per page to send, and fifty cents per page to receive.

Copy Machine

A coin-operated copy machine is available for public use across from the Information Desk. Cost is ten cents per side. The machine accepts quarters, nickels, and dimes. Employees are available to assist if needed.

Notary Services

The Library offers free notary public services during regular library hours. Please call ahead to set up an appointment with Dennis Danowski, Library Director and Notary Public.

Microfilm, Microfiche, and Historical Documents

The Local History Collection is located on the second floor of the Macomb Public Library. Please ask at the Information or Adult Services Desks for assistance with microfilm and/or microfiche. For other sources of local newspapers, local history, and genealogy materials, please refer to our Genealogical Sources Available in Macomb handout. The WIU Archives at Western Illinois University or the McDonough County Genealogical Society may have the local history resources you need.

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History of the Macomb Public Library

The Macomb City Library was formed by action of the City Council. The Library was organized on November 10, 1881 when the mayor appointed a Library Board of Directors of nine members. The first library opened on April 8, 1882 on the upper floor of the Stocker Building at 109 South Side Square.

In 1883 when the City of Macomb purchased the building at 108 South Lafayette Street, the Macomb City Library was moved to the second floor. On October 28, 1904 the Macomb City Public Library opened in a new Carnegie Building at 235 South Lafayette Street.

The Children's Library was opened to the public on June 20, 1980. A hallway and two rooms were added to connect the two buildings on July 3, 1983.

On July 1, 1992, by action of the Library Board of Trustees, Macomb City Council, and McDonough County Circuit Court Action, the Macomb City Library became the Macomb Public Library District.

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Support the Library

The Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization made up of area residents interested in the promotion and welfare of the library as a cultural, educational, and recreational asset to the community. Visit the Friends of the Library website for more information on how to join.

The Macomb Public Library accepts book and audiovisual donations year-round. You may drop them off at the children's help desk or Library Annex help desk any time, or call to make arrangements if you have a larger number of items. Library staff can give you a statement of donation with an item count if you are interested in a tax write-off. Sorry, we do not accept donations of encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines, or Reader's Digest Condensed Books at this time.

The Macomb Public Library reserves the right to decide the disposition of all donations received. Gifts accepted for addition to the library's collection become the property of Macomb Public Library and will be placed where most appropriate. Material not utilized in the library's collection will be transferred to the Friends of the Macomb Public Library for use in their book sales. The proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales are donated to the Library in support of its mission, programs, and to enhance the library's collections.

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Library Staff

Library Director:	Dennis Danowski
Youth Services :	Tiffany Erickson
Adult Services:	Carla Ainslie Sharon Sample
Pages:	Rachel Bosworth Ben Clemmens Gabi Douglas Sarah Sadler

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Employment

The Macomb Public Library takes employment applications at any time. Fill out the employee application (page one, page two) and mail it to the library, or drop it off at the front desk. You can also pick up a print copy of the application at the front desk.

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Library Board of Trustees

	Member:	Term ends:
President	George Wanamaker	May 2025
Vice President	Carol Clemons	May 2021
Secretary	Lin Stults	May 2021
Treasurer	Dean Watson	May 2023
	Sue Anstine	May 2023
	Stacy Dorsett	May 2021
	Shirley Adams	May 2025

The Macomb Public Library Board of Trustees meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the Macomb Public Library, Multi-Purpose Room, 235 S. Lafayette Street at 7:00 PM. Special Committee meetings may be called with 48 hours notice given to the public. Notices are posted at the library.