IN THE LIBRARY LOOP - AUGUST 2026
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We Rocked Summer Reading! |
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Thanks to you, Peoria Public Library’s Summer Reading program rocked!
We had 4,528 Summer Readers, the highest number we’ve seen in years. Thanks to you, we are finally rebounding back to the participation we saw before COVID.
We offered more and bigger programs. Remember the swashbuckling Duelling Dames, the BMX stunt show, the Whiz Bang Science show with exploding volcano, to name a few. We also invested in some nicer weekly Summer Reading prizes. Our PPL-branded pint glasses were very popular!
New this year, we kicked off things with a special concert on the Peoria Riverfront with Grammy-nominated family friendly musician Justin Roberts. We also made keeping track of everything related to Summer Reading easier with a slick, 16-page Summer Reading program guide.
We kept and enhanced our Summer Reading celebrations – one for families, one for just adults. And our Summer Reading Bike Giveaway, exclusive to Lincoln Branch, had record participation.
All this, but we’d still like to know your thoughts. Please take a minute to complete this survey And, in case you missed it on our social media, our Grand Prize winners were:
Ages 0-5: Everett K. Ages 6-12: Simon Z. Ages 13-17: Carson M.
Adult: Janaysha Y.
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Editor’s Note: We’ve had some nice feedback when we’ve included Q & As from new and retiring staff so we’re going to do more of that. We have quite a bit of staff news this month! |
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| Welcome, Jacob! | Peoria Public Library is so pleased to welcome Jacob Roberts as our new Lakeview Branch manager.
Some of you may remember Jacob from North and Lincoln branches a few years ago. In between then and now he’s had other library experiences, but we are thrilled to have him back with us.
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Please tell us a bit about yourself?
First, I have a beautiful wife and four wonderful kids! Second, I have been in libraries for nearly as long as I have been in Peoria. Anytime we go on a trip, I always make my family visit the nearest library. I also am a collector of weird talents. I can juggle while reading, play a few instruments, do magic tricks (only kids would appreciate), and a handful of other random necessary talents to have in a library.
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How did you get your start in libraries?
Early on in college I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but then I soon felt restricted with the curriculum. I began to look to other professions that still gave back to the community. That's when I found libraries. I started volunteering, and eventually working, at Fondulac District Library during college. From there, I fell in love! I actually started my first full-time job as a Reference Assistant at Peoria Public Library's North Branch, before moving on to other branches and libraries for the last 8 years. Now I am back, and excited to serve the Peoria community in this new role!
What is your proudest professional moment to date?
Up to this point, my proudest professional moment was writing an in-house grant at Fondulac District Library to bring AI and mixed-reality programs to the community. It gave access to these new technologies and software to the youth in the area. The goal behind the idea was to create a safe environment where the youth could learn how to use and manipulate these technologies to better serve their creativity, rather than using them as just another form of entertainment.
Do you have a favorite book/author/genre? This is always a hard question for me. I really read whatever piques my interest. However, right now one author that I love reading with my kids is Kate DiCamillo. She has such a fun and quirky way of writing about the world. I just love her!
Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all? My preference is a physical book. However, I read whatever format that is available! One person you would like to meet, dead or alive and why?
One person I would like to meet is Tom Holland. I think he is a phenomenal actor, but also just seems like a very down-to-Earth guy. Plus, I found out we are the same age, and I don't know if that makes me feel old or young? |
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| Congratulations, Jay! | Congratulations to Jay Johnston, our new Youth Services Librarian at North Branch!
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Yes, the name and face you know, but this new role means, in Jay’s words, “even more chances to promote early literacy, work with youth and their families -- both in the library and across Peoria, plan fun programming, being able to continue building the next generation of library kids and future leaders, and a newly cleaned desk.” |
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"For the nearly three years I was a Reference Assistant, I have been so lucky to get to know our amazing patrons and community across the city. Working with the youth and their families has been monumentally impactful on me. I was always a library kid and grew up going to the library (a 15-minute drive for my parents) 3- or 4-times a week. Yet, working in a library and being a librarian felt like an impossible dream when I was younger. I never thought that such a job would be possible, as all library workers must be librarians and those need master's degrees, obviously. As I would come to learn, not everyone at the library is a librarian, or needs a MLIS — some of the most monumental work at the library is done by those without master's degrees.
Yet, I think some part of myself always knew where I would end up, though. This road is only just beginning for me, but becoming a librarian feels like slipping on the most comfortable shoes. I am so excited to put my knowledge and experience to work in this new role." - Jay |
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| Congratulations, Adam! | Congratulations to Adam Scachette, our librarian at Lakeview Branch, for being honored at this summer’s River City Pride Festival with the Lucchesi Community Growth Award.
| Adam was nominated by local author Joseph Chianakas who wrote in his nomination:
“Adam is a librarian, an advocate, an educator, and a community builder. Through his work at the Peoria Public Library, he has created welcoming spaces for young people by organizing queer young adult book clubs, promoting diverse literature, and ensuring LGBTQ+ youth know they belong.
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Adam never does the minimum. Whether organizing events, connecting authors with readers, advocating for inclusive programming, or supporting youth, he consistently goes above and beyond. His work is driven by kindness, conviction, and a belief that libraries should be places where everyone feels seen, respected, and celebrated.
Our community is stronger because of people like Adam Scachette. I cannot think of someone more deserving of this recognition.”
We agree! Well done, Adam!
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| Saying ‘So Long’ to Peoria Public Library Family | Best wishes, Barb B!!
After 27 years at Peoria Public Library, our good friend and yours, Barb Brown, retired.
| You still might see her around North Branch — because she has some holds she’s waiting on.
We will miss her wry sense of humor, her no nonsense love and care for patrons and her work ethic. She also wore the best costumes for programs! Don’t be a stranger, friend!
We had to ask her for her thoughts. You know, just to prolong the goodbye.
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Barb Brown, left, with North Branch Manager Jamie Jones
How did you get your start in libraries?
Barb: I just kind of fell into it. I was studying a lot in the Illinois Central College library so they offered me a job, and then when I transferred to Eureka College they saw I’d worked at ICC’s library so they offered me a job in their library. My interview to work at Peoria Public Library was my first real job interview after college.
Do you have a favorite memory? Barb: I have a lot. I remember years ago one mom who came in after our Summer Reading party to thank me for telling her son that audio books count as reading. Her son was dyslexic, and even though they had been telling him that audio books are reading, she said he didn’t believe it until the librarian told him so. It made such a difference, she said, just that short conversation. I remember she even wrote into the paper about it.
What will you do in retirement? Barb: I want to spend more time with my grandkids and go to their events. There are a couple dream trips I’d like to take too. Like Greece.
Any last thoughts?
Barb: I’m going to miss my co-workers and my patrons, the ones I have established a relationship with. Some of them, the little ones, I’ve gotten down on the floor to explain how a library card works. But it was time (to retire.) My body was telling me. |
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| Library News: Leased Books | Starting this month, you may see something that looks a little different on our shelves.
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In an effort to save a little money while also giving our patrons quick access to the most popular titles, Peoria Public Library is beginning a leasing program with our publishers. |
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What does this mean? For you, it means we will have more copies of the hot titles you want to read.
For us, it means we can meet your wishes while the surge of popularity is there, but we can return excess books once demand fades – saving us both some money and shelf space. So, if you see a book with an orange band at the bottom, don’t worry. It’s not a content warning. It’s just to let our staff know that it is a leased book.
Happy reading!
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| Get Your Library Card Now for Freebies in September! | Thanks to the continued support and generosity of CityLink, you can get more mileage out of your library card this fall.
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In honor of September being National Library Card Sign-up Month, CityLink will offer free bus rides (regular routes) to those who show their library cards.
We call it Fine Free + Fare Free. All the participating libraries are fine free – either all the time or just for September. (Peoria Public Library is always fine free.)
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So be sure to renew your library card this month so you can take full advantage of free public transportation, Sept. 1-30 on CityLink.
Participating libraries in addition to Peoria Public Library are Fondulac District Library in East Peoria, Peoria Heights Public Library and Pekin Public Library. Show any of these library cards and ride for free throughout these communities for all of September, thanks to CityLink’s sponsorship.
And if you need more incentive, Peoria Public Library will unveil a new library card design for National Library Card Sign-Up month (pictured above). |
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Coming in September: Peoria Reads Celebrates 25 Years! |
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