Did You Know: 5 Free Library Services
- Rachel
- Mar 20
- 6 min read
The library provides a wide range of services, programs, and items available for checkout, all at no cost. Although all our services are valuable, we've decided to spotlight 5 that you might not be aware of!
Thousands of Free Materials / Digital Content
Although this one is widely known, not everyone is aware of the various items we offer. All of the following can be checked out for two weeks completely free with your library card.
On the Children's Floor
All the books! Board Books, Picture Books, Easy Reader, Holiday Books, Chapter Books, Graphic Novels, Non-fiction, and Junior High Books
Wonder Books - Books that Talk!
Rita Harris Book Bags - Includes a book, items that tie to the book, and an activity sheet
Science Kits - Including Microscope Science Lab, Planetarium Projector, Explore Circuits, My Amazing Body, and several more
Botley, The Coding Robot
Children's DVD's & Blu-rays
On the Adult Floor
More books! Young Adult Books and Regular Print and Large Type Books for adults
Hi-Low Books - Books that offer brief reads ideal for individuals with limited time or reading difficulties
Audiobooks on CD
Graphic Novels
Non-Fiction Books
Movies and TV series on DVD and Blu-ray
Video Games - Including Switch, PS3, PS4, PS 5, Wii, WiiU, Xbox 1, Xbox 360, and Xbox Series X
Library of Things - Including Telescope, Roku, Lawn Games, Ukuleles, Pickleball Set, Tool Kits, Kindles, and several more
Puzzles
Local History
Board Games
On Our Digital Platforms: hoopla, cloudLibrary, Kanopy, Libby
Movies
TV Series
Documentaries
Magazines
E-books
E-audiobooks
BBC Programs
Comics
Music
The Great Courses
PBS Programs
Mango Language
This app available with your library card allows you to learn different languages from French to German to ASL and many more!
Although we aim to offer a wide range of resources for our community, we cannot accommodate everything available. Therefore, we participate in Interlibrary Loan, our first featured free service.
Free Library Service #1
Interlibrary Loan
Our library contains over 45,000 items available for daily checkout, but we cannot accommodate all items from every publisher and movie producer. Enter Interlibrary Loan (IHLS)! Whether you're searching for an item in our library or placing a hold through the Share App from the comfort of your home, interlibrary loan enables cardholders to request items from across Illinois and have them delivered to our library. Each morning, Monday through Friday, we receive shipments that return items we've loaned out and bring in items from other libraries for our community to borrow. On average, we send out 1,500 items monthly to other libraries and receive 600 items for our library cardholders from other
libraries. This amounts to about 3 tubs of items daily. This service is free for our community, funded by federal grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS grants also help fund the Share App, which you can download to your phone to manage your account, place holds, and renew items from home.
Visit the Institute of Museum and Library Services Website (IMLS) to learn more about this federal agency.
For more information about Interlibrary Loan (IHLS), visit the Illinois Heartland Library System Website.
Free Library Service #2:
Notary
Community members require notaries public for various legal documents. The library employs 3 notaries and provides mobile and curbside notary services. Although it is recommended to call ahead to ensure a notary is available, the library aims to have a notary present during regular operating hours. This service is free for all community members, and no library card is needed.
To learn more about the library's complimentary notary service, visit the Notaries Public section on the library's website.
Free Library Service #3
Free Wi-Fi & Public Access Computers
The library offers free Wi-Fi to everyone inside the building, with no library card needed. The Wi-Fi service also reaches the parking lot and library grounds, ensuring free and easy access for all. There are six public access computers available for anyone to use within the library. These computers come equipped with programs such as Word, Excel, Paint, ABCmouse, and many more. Don't have computer or internet access at home but need to check your email, write a resume, apply for social security, fill out a job application, or file for unemployment? The library has you covered with available free resources.
For more information on our Wi-Fi and Public Access Computers please refer to the Computers & Internet section on the library's website.
Free Library Service #4
Local History
Local History Section
The library contains numerous resources related to local history. On the main floor, there is a local history section that features books on DeWitt County history, cookbooks created by local churches and organizations, yearbooks from DeWitt County schools, and various newspaper clippings highlighting DeWitt County history. While some of these resources can be checked out, many items are only available for use within the library.
The DeWitt County Genealogical Society
Located in the library's basement, the genealogy room offers access to census, death, marriage, birth, obituary, cemetery, land, military, and probate records, as well as family files and histories, ancestor charts, funeral home records, and DeWitt County histories and atlases. This room is accessible to the public during the library's regular hours, with local genealogists available on Thursdays. The resources provided by the Genealogical Society are free for everyone to use.
For additional details, visit the DeWitt County Genealogical Society website or check the Local History section on the library's website.
Archives and Special Collections
The library features a large archive and a secured special collection section. This collection comprises documents, photographs, and artifacts related to DeWitt County history. The C.H. Moore Collection contains the original items from the library's opening in 1908. The Civil War Collection includes diaries, photographs, and artifacts. Service records, letters, and photographs can be found in the DeWitt County World War I Collection. While the records in the archives and special collections cannot be checked out, they are available for viewing in the library by anyone. Additionally, the library hosts the Weinberg Library of Comparative Religion on the main floor, offering a variety of books for checkout to anyone with a library card.
Visit the library's website and explore the Local History section to view all items cataloged in the library's archives and special collections.
Free Library Service #5
Programs for Everyone
Throughout the year, the library provides programs suitable for all ages and skill levels. Weekly storytimes are available for toddlers and preschoolers in the community. Terrific Toddlers takes place on Wednesdays at 10 am, ideal for you and your child aged 0-3! We enjoy dancing to songs and listening to stories! Preschool Pals occurs on Fridays at 10 am, designed for children aged 3-5 and their caregivers! Fantastic stories, songs, and activities make this storytime incredibly enjoyable! Family and Youth Lego Clubs are also held weekly. For adults, a monthly book discussion group is offered.
Some programs are available weekly or monthly, while others are offered for children (0-8), youth (8-12), teens (12-18), and adults (18+) with fresh and exciting options each month. Recent offerings have featured slime parties, tea with a dinosaur, a youth book club, Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, paint parties, dance lessons, paranormal investigations, and a reading journal class. Upcoming events include Astronomy Club, Egg Decorating, International Night, Painting Class, Swing Dance Lessons, and Teen Yoga. All library programs are free and open to the public, although some require reservations.
You can find a full list of upcoming events on the library's Upcoming Events Page. Be sure to check frequently as new programs are introduced every month!
BONUS! Free Library Service #6
Library Staff
The Vespasian Warner Public Library aims to be an inviting and inclusive space for all community members. To achieve this, the library employs a knowledgeable and friendly staff. Whether you're searching for a favorite book, materials for a school project, or resources on our public access computer, the staff is here to assist everyone in finding what they need.
Until Next Time Library Friends!
That's it! The 5 free library services accessible to you daily without any charge! If you have questions about these services or any other free services mentioned, don't hesitate to reach out to the library staff at library@vwarner.org, call 217-935-5174, or visit us in person! The staff is always eager to assist you in finding what you need, showcase our beautiful building, and share the fascinating history of our library with anyone interested! We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Vespasian Warner Library is located at 310 N. Quincy St in Clinton, IL 61727. Contact us by phone, 217-935-5174, by email library@vwarner.org, or drop in and say hello!
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