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Welcome to Our New Managers! | Peoria Public Library is excited to announce some new leadership.
Our new manager of McClure Branch is Kathryn McBride, and our new Manager of Outreach Services is Beth Dutton. You will be seeing a lot of them, but we like to introduce them to you with some questions we ask all new managers. |
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Kathryn McBride started Jan. 12 as new manager of McClure Branch. She replaces Rose Farrell, who moved to a new position at PPL as the Youth Collection Development Librarian. McBride, who, as you’ll read, has been the director of a small library in Tennessee, says she feels very welcomed in Peoria.
First, please tell us about yourself. I graduated from Earlham College with a bachelors in African & African-American Studies (A tiny liberal college in Indiana started by Quakers. Since the graduating classes were about 600 people when I attended, I'd be amazed to discover any Earlham alums, or even anyone familiar with the school at all!).
I earned my MLIS from Florida State University and have since been a librarian for a community college, the director of McIver's Grant Public Library in Tennessee and a state-hired consultant for 19 independent public libraries in the northwest corner of Tennessee. I even tried opening a (very, very tiny) library in South Africa when I was in the Peace Corps.
I'm still using luggage and boxes to hold my clothes, but I'm excited to eventually get my sewing room set up again. I sew all my clothes, and I LOVE to talk about fabrics, couture techniques, fashion and all things sewing related.
What inspired you to become a librarian?
Libraries are life. They represent the very best version of ourselves and our narrative of what America is. Amazingly, crucially and against all odds, they are a part of government structure! After I got a little history under my belt in college, public libraries were something that made me feel patriotic, proud of our country and hopeful for our future. I wanted to be a part of them to help ensure they stuck around for a long time to give hope to others.
Do you have a favorite book/author/genre? This is a tough question. There's too much amazing stuff out there to choose from. I tend to read a lot of murder mysteries, modern romance and science fiction, but I love discovering new (to me) titles and authors in genres I usually overlook by getting recommendations from fellow librarians.
It's through amazing colleagues that I've read great books by Ariel Lawhon (Code Name Helene was knock-your-socks-off), Mary Roach (I listened to Gulp and laughed out loud/ stopped dead in my tracks often) and Kevin Wilson, one of the best things to come out of Tennessee besides whiskey and blues. (Start with Nothing to See Here and you'll get hooked on him.)
Finally, there are a few books I'll reread occasionally - that's how good they are: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix (especially the audio version, narrated by Tim Curry) and Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg when I need a little inspiration.
You’re very new to this role, but any initial thoughts on Peoria? I am quickly learning that Peoria has so much to offer and I'm excited, once the dust settles, to explore the city and all the hidden gems to be found in nooks and crannies. The number of parks alone is staggering to me! |
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Beth Dutton is our new Manager of Outreach Services, leaving our Reference Department at Main Library, where she is sorely missed. She and her staff handle our home delivery program, available to new moms and others who can’t come to us. They also deliver capsule collections to nursing homes, work with schools and daycares and manager the state’s Talking Books program for those with vision impairment.
First, please tell us about yourself.
I am a Central Illinois native, and I’ve lived in Chillicothe pretty much my whole life. I am an Illinois State (University) alum, where I studied Therapeutic Recreation. My “elevator speech” explaining what that is goes like this, ‘Everyone has the right to recreate, but some people have a harder time accessing that than others. That’s where therapeutic recreation steps in and helps people navigate that situation.’
I think working in Outreach is very, very similar. For a variety of reasons, some people have a hard time accessing the library, and we want to do what we can to reduce those barriers for folks.
Tools from my previous work in partnership development, volunteer administration and senior living settings will all come into play as we work to make connections for the benefit of our patrons. I am so excited to be here and, whether it be individuals or larger organizations, I’m very much looking forward to being out in the community, meeting with folks and figuring it out.
What inspired you to become a librarian (or work in a library)? I am not a librarian, but I do have the best memories of weekly library visits with my dad when I was growing up. My sister and brother and I would all load up in the car and drive to the Carnegie library in downtown Chilli.
I can still remember the sound of the bells on the door, the way the floor creaked and pitched, the feel of the handrail on the stairs down to the children's area. I didn't know too many adults outside of school, but the librarians were definitely some of my favorites. It would be an extreme honor if I could be that for someone else!
Do you have a favorite book/author/genre?
I generally enjoy reading biographies or digging through other nonfiction. It's interesting to me to get a "behind the scenes" look into what makes a person tick. I also love all things art and nature. I can literally feel the change in my brain chemistry when I flip through a book about flowers or architecture or travel. I also CAN NOT walk through our children's sections without coming out with an armload of picture books!
Thoughts on Peoria? Peoria is the best! It has so many resources. I LOVE the history of theatre in Peoria. I love, love, LOVE the trail system that Peoria Park District keeps on the ready for all of us. There are so many great small businesses to grab a bite to eat or to shop for the perfect gift for a friend. |
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And a Fond Farewell...
We would also like to wish a fond farewell to Carolyn Conklin, who is retiring this month after 24 years in the Reference Department at Peoria Public Library. A steadfast employee who has helped countless patrons over the years, Carolyn is committed to the work, but not the rewards. She is leaving quietly and without fanfare, by her choice.We will miss her dearly. |
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| Peoria Public Library Celebrates Black History Month | Peoria Public Library is hosting a rare opportunity to meet the director of a documentary that captures the work of one of Illinois' Civil Rights pioneers, Alice Tregay.
| Tregay marched and organized with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson, Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and even an up-and-comer, Barack Obama, when he was a community organizer in Chicago.
We'll watch the one-hour documentary and then talk with Director Craig Dudnick. ------- Alice's Ordinary People Screening and Q&A
2 PM to 3:30 PM Saturday, Feb.7 Peoria Public Main Library, 107 NE Monroe (lower level 2 auditorium) Free and open to all. |
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Additional Black History Month programming… Monday, Feb. 9: Sinners movie screening at Lincoln Branch ~ 5:30 PM ** Note: Sinners (2025) has made history by securing 16 Academy Award nominations for the 98th Oscars, the most for any film ever.
Join us for the viewing and afterwards a discussion of the movie Sinners. Set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta, the movie stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as a criminal twin brother who return to their hometown, where they are confronted by a supernatural evil. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Adults only. Friday, Feb. 20: Alma Thomas-Inspired Art ~ 3 PM at McClure Branch
Alma Thomas was the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her abstract art is influenced by nature and it will be our inspiration as we create paintings in her style. All supplies provided. Registration required. Adults only. Monday, Feb. 23: Read On Book Club: The Vice President’s Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn ~ 5:30 PM at Lincoln Branch
All Month Long: African-American Book Display at Lincoln Branch, celebrating 100 years since the 1st "Negro Week" that was launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. All month long we will celebrate with books that identify with fact-based history, to novels that inspire us all.
Black History Month Display of Hats in Honor of Mae Reeves at Lincoln Branch Mae Reeves was the first African American woman from Philadelphia whom in 1942, became an entrepreneur by opening her hat shop, called Mae's Millinery. Ms. Reeves helped dress some of the most famous African-American women including Marian Anderson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lena Horne.
Black History Month Knowledge Quest at Lakeview Branch In celebration of 100 years of Black History Month, Lakeview Branch will be having a knowledge quest featuring 16 Black heroes who have each made history with their talents and courage. Come and learn about these individuals with us for the entire month of February. Visit the front desk to participate! |
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| New Partnership: Peoria Public Library and the Fine Arts Society of Peoria | Starting this month, our patrons will have the opportunity to attend a Fine Arts Society (FAS) program for free, thanks to a limited number of passes being shared by the nonprofit.
| The first program part of this partnership is Black History Month-themed. |
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The next FAS program is Thursday, Feb. 12 ~ 9:30 AM at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Lecture by Dr. Phoebe Wolfskill of Indiana University on the photography and paintings by Archibald Motley, who focused on The Great Migration, which is the movement of five million African Americans out of the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West between 1910 and 1970.
To check out at Fine Arts Society of Peoria pass at Peoria Public Library: Patrons can visit any PPL location to check out the ONE pass available.
- First come, first served. Reservations will not be taken.
- Patrons must show their library card or have an active card we can verify with photo ID.
Many thanks to our former Deputy Director Roberta Koscielski, who is on the board of the Fine Arts Society, for this nice offering. |
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| Winter Reading Challenge ~ For All Ages ~ Ends Feb. 28 | It’s not too late to sign up for our Winter Reading Challenge.
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All ages can sign up to get rewarded for reading! We have invested in bigger, better prizes -- something the entire family can droll over. Just signing up gets you a small prize. |
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Visit peoriapubliclibrary.beanstack.org to register virtually or pick up a paper log at any of the Peoria Public Library locations to get started!
Complete your log by February 28th to earn a completion prize (fun plushie or campfire mug) as well as a chance to win a branch prize of a $50 Walmart gift card. Grand prizes for each age: ** Tonie Box 2 Bundle (ages 0-5)
** Yoto Mini Player Bundle (ages 6-12) **Samsung Galaxy tablet (teen & adult)! Free to enter. |
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| New Year, New Languages at Peoria Public Library | Perhaps you’ve noticed we have new books in new languages on our shelves. Yes, we do!
Last year, our Collection Department started a concerted effort to grow our World Language holdings.
| We have, and continue to, add new Spanish books at Main Library, as well as Lincoln and McClure branches. You will also see we’ve grown our collection of children’s books in Tamil at North Branch. |
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Curious about what’s coming next or have a suggestion, reach out to our Collection Department at (309) 497-2149. We want to hear from you.
Along those lines, we also have a new Latinx book club -- ¡Viva Literatura! – which meets at Main Library. This book club alternates months, meeting one month for adults and the other for teens.
The next meeting is for teens on Feb. 20 at 4:30 PM in our community room. New members are always welcome. We will discuss Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older.
For more information about this and other book clubs, visit https://peoriapubliclibrary.org/book-film-clubs/ |
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| Resource Spotlight: Digitized Peoria Journal Star | Every month, we will highlight a different library resource you might not be aware of. This month, it’s the recent launch of digitized issues of the Peoria Journal Star dating back to 1951.
| Digital scans of the Peoria Journal Star, as the issues appeared in print, are now freely available online from 1951 through 2007. Issues from 2008 to 2017 are available, but still a work in progress. Digitized issues from 2019 to current day were already available for the Peoria Journal Star and continue to be added daily. All digitized issues are keyword searchable. |
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“Seeing our local newspaper, as it appeared, with its photographs, layout and ads, brings history to life in a way that just seeing the text of a story does not,” Yelverton said. “This will be ideal for classroom use too. We believe historic events – national or local – will be more meaningful and relatable to students when viewed this way.”
Peoria Public Library patrons can access this digitized newspaper archive remotely with an internet connection and library card. Otherwise, the collection can be accessed from within the library via our public computers or in our Local History and Genealogy Department at Main Library in Downtown Peoria.
The Friends of Peoria Public Library have helped support this financial investment. Anyone interested in contributing to the library’s ongoing digitization project can make tax-deductible donations to the Friends of Peoria Public Library. Please mail checks, specifying the donation is for digitization, to:
Friends of Peoria Public Library 107 NE Monroe St. Peoria, IL 61602-1070 |
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| Coming in March… | Save the Date and spread the word for our upcoming Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 11 at Main Library.
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We’ve partnered with key area organizations so you can find support in areas like mental health, housing, legal aid, job readiness, hygiene and more – all in one place. |
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Each attendee will receive a care package. Attendees will have the chance to win a $50 Walmart gift card (3 winners) or a 30-Day CityLink Bus Pass for unlimited rides (2 winners).
Resource Fair Weds., March 11 ~ 2-5 PM at Main Library, auditorium Free and open to all adults.
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| Also blooming in March… | Keep an eye out for our new Seed Library at Main Library.
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