Last fall, the library presented a survey to the public to see where the library was excelling and to identify opportunities to better serve our community. Bobbi, the library's Executive Director, also held meetings with various focus groups, such as homeschool families, Encore staff and employees, members of The Vault youth center, and the DeWitt County Genealogy Society. Additionally, Bobbi met with a patron with a mobility disability to explore ways to enhance our accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
What We Are Doing Right!
From all this information, we learned a lot! According to feedback, we were delighted to find that we continue to serve the community effectively. We continue to serve as a key center delivering valuable free resources and information with a variety of materials and perspectives, offering free internet and technology resources, and acting as a hub for local history. We offer a safe gathering place for people to socialize, play, study, engage in free programs, and find a quiet space for independent reading. We aim to have a staff that is helpful, patient, and friendly, making it easy to approach them for the information and resources you need and it seems we are succeeding!
Time For 8 Important Changes!
While all of this was so wonderful to hear, we were also looking for areas where we might be lacking. How could we improve? What new offerings could benefit our community? Based on several suggestions from the survey and focus groups, 8 important changes have been made, with more to come.
ABCmouse
A suggestion was made to offer reading curriculum and games on the children's floor computers. As a result, the library now provides ABCmouse on all library computers and on any personal device connected to the library's Wi-Fi. ABCmouse is an online educational program featuring over 10,000 free literacy activities for children aged 2 to 8.
Youth Book Clubs
The feedback found that older kids would be interested in a book club. Last fall, the Youth Book Club for older kids ages 8-12 was launched. This book club will meet every quarter and has already covered Charlotte's Web and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Keep an eye on our Upcoming Events for the next book club selection! Once you register, the library will supply you with the book to read before the Youth Book Club meeting, along with pizza and drinks during the book discussion.
High-Interest, Low-Ability Reads
Hi-Low books offer brief reads ideal for individuals with limited time or reduced attention spans, making them perfect for ESL students, readers with dyslexia or other reading challenges, and those who find reading difficult. These books are accessible to children, junior high, young adult, and adult readers. A huge thank you to the Friends of the Warner Library for making this collection possible!
Hi-Low books for children (First 5 books listed)
Hi-Low books for junior high (First 7 books listed)
Hi-Low books for young adult (First 12 books listed)
Hi-Low books for adults (First 13 books listed)
Take-Home Science Kits
An idea coming from the homeschool focus group, the library applied for and received a $2,000 grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation - Youth Engaged in Philanthropy to purchase several take-home science kits to add to our Library of Things! Kits added to the collection include: Green Energy, Microscope Science Lab, Planetarium Projector, Explore Circuits, My Amazing Body, Early Motor Skills, Electronics Coding & Bots, and I Love Animals. All of these kits are available for checkout on the children's floor with your library card!
Library of Things Science Kits (First 8 Items Listed)
Mango Language
Want to learn a new language? People in our community do! The Friends of the Warner Library donated funds to make it a possibility with a Mango Language subscription. Mango combines advanced technology with their proven language-learning methodology, Intuitive Language Construction. Their courses deliver phrases from real-life situations that get you conversational quickly. With over 70 language courses and more than 20 ESL courses available at your fingertips, Mango Language is available to anyone with a Vespasian Warner Library Card!
(Please Note: To begin, click the "Sign Up" button to set up your own profile. All you need is your library card number and your PIN. Need help? Give us a call at 935-5174 or drop in!)
Lego Clubs
The creation of our two Lego clubs also grew from an idea presented in one of the focus groups. Lego Club is a free weekly program where the library provides the Legos, and you provide the fun. The Family Lego Club takes place every Tuesday from 5-6pm, ideal for children aged 3-7 and their caregivers. The Youth Lego Club occurs every Wednesday from 5-6PM, designed for youth aged 8-12. No registration is needed for either Lego Club. Visit our Upcoming Events page for future dates!
Updated Signage
During discussions with staff and employees from Encore, as well as a patron with a mobility disability, it was mentioned that the library's signage could benefit from an update. Several signs were added to the lobby and to the main floor to help everyone navigate the library a little easier.
Accessibility and Equity
The most significant change was incorporating the Accessibility and Equity section into the library's strategic plan. This section states, "The library will ensure that all its patrons, regardless of ability, have equitable access to library resources." Although accessibility and equity have always been priorities, they are now officially included in our strategic plan. The introduction of High-Interest, Low-Ability books and the implementation of updated signage suggestions and changes support this strategic focus. Upcoming projects, such as creating an ADA-compliant website and upgrading the ramp, sidewalk, and handrails from the parking lot to the front door, are currently in the planning stages.
For more details on the library's strategic plan, visit the Strategic Plan Blog from January 2025.
Do You Have Any Suggestions?
The team at the Vespasian Warner Library is committed to being the best it can be! We appreciate everyone who participated in our recent survey and focus groups. Based on the feedback from our community, we will continue to introduce new services, programs, and resources. We are eager to announce some exciting developments that are in the planning stages through future press releases, social media posts, and blogs. If you have any concerns or suggestions on how we can better serve you and our community, please reach out! We would love to hear your ideas via email at library@vwarner.org, by phone at 217-935-5174, or with a personal visit during our hours of operation. Your opinion matters and is very important to us.
Interested in using some of these services but don't have a library card? No worries! Visit our "Get a Card" section on our website or stop by in person. Our staff will gladly help you obtain your own library card!
Interested in volunteering in the Friends of the Library organization? The Friends of the Library meet on the first Saturday of every month at 10AM in the Activity Room on the Children's Floor of the library. No dues are required. For more information about the Friends of the Library organization, please contact the organization by email FRIENDSOFVWARNERLIBRARY@GMAIL.COM
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