A library is a place to acquire knowledge.
That’s the belief of Jack Hurwitz, director of the Hinsdale Public Library.
Thus the function of a library is to offer patrons several ways to acquire that knowledge, and books, technology and programming are the most popular, he said.
“Still and primarily, a library is books,” he said. “When people think of a library, they think of books.”
To keep current, the staff continually updates collections.
The library has more than 120,400 books. This includes about 78,000 in the adult collection, about 40,000 in the youth collection and about 2,400 in the young adult collection. The adult collection also has books with large print. There are more than 6,000 audiovisual materials such as CDs, books on tape, videos and DVDs. The library subscribes to more than 335 magazines and newspapers.
The increased use of technology at work and home is having an effect on the way patrons use the library, said Hurwitz, who has worked there for 23 years.
Database use rises
“There is an increase in the use of electronic databases to do research and access information,” he said. “There’s been a major transition to bring in and integrate databases in areas of reference resources and programming.”
To meet those needs, the library has 20 computer terminals for patrons’ use:
– Six are dedicated to card catalog use only–three on the main level, one in the young adult department and two in the youth services department.
– The others are placed throughout the library, including four in the adult section. Two with word-processing software are on the main level and a public-reference terminal with online databases is in the youth services department, along with three terminals with educational games on CD-ROM. There also are four computers with Internet stations, two on the main level and two in the youth services department.
The library has programs for patrons as young as a year old, said Tiffany Auxier, head of youth and young adult services.
Storytimes program popular
Storytimes is one of the most successful, Auxier said. The reading and activity program has sessions for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and children in kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grades. The program runs from September through April. For example:
– Babies and Books offers 20 minutes of story, song and simple finger play for children 12 to 24 months. Parents and caregivers remain with the children during the session.
– Toddler Time features participation activities and felt-board stories for 2-year-olds and young 3-year-olds accompanied by an adult.
During a recent session, toddlers were introduced to books, rhymes and songs about the body. Under the direction of children’s librarian Anne Grisenthwaite, youngsters and adults sang songs about the human body. The words prompted the children to jump, skip and hop, and mimic Grisenthwaite’s actions. One song had the words, “On my face I have a nose, and way down here I have 10 toes.” The children followed Grisenthwaite’s cues and pointed to their nose and toes.
In 1999, 11,267 children, youth and young adults participated in programs at the library.
“Programming helps to publicize the library and what it is doing for the community,” Auxier said. “The goal is to reinforce the idea that the library is a multifaceted, friendly place to visit.”
The library also offers adult programs. “We offer a wide variety of programs, from travel series to opera lectures,” said Jo Ann Schusterich, head of circulation services and public information.
“People want information and they also want to be entertained. A good example of that is the travel series: You learn something, and it’s fun.”
In 1999, 1,300 people attended adult programming.
“It’s not unusual for us to have 100 people show up for a program,” said Schusterich, who schedules adult programs. “Eight years ago, 15 people were a good turnout. Adult programming has become very popular.”
Sharing a home
The library, 20 E. Maple St., is in the Memorial Building, which also houses the village hall. The library has about 32,000 square feet on three levels. There are nine full-time and three part-time librarians with master’s degrees in library science. The rest of the staff includes administrative personnel, library associates and maintenance people.
The youth services and technical services departments, administrative offices, and conference and meeting rooms are on the lower level. Technology services “is where we place orders, process books and enter data into the system,” Hurwitz said.
The main level houses the service desk and the circulation department, as well as the new-book display. This also is where adult fiction, periodicals, large-print books, travel books, and the reference and audiovisual departments are found. A quiet study and reading room are here too.
Young adult services, the nonfiction collection and another study area are on the upper level.
Looking at options
With the increased use of technology and a limited amount of space, the library is examining configuration and expansion options.
“We’re looking at how we can better utilize available space, accommodate growing collections and provide the best service for our patrons,” Hurwitz said.
The board is developing a plan to define areas that need attention, he said.
“In the past four or five years, the major trends have been new computer technology and the expansion of youth and young adult services and programming,” Hurwitz said, noting that he expects these trends to continue.
“Depending on budget constraints, we’d also like to acquire more staff,” he added.
The library also wants to become more active in community events, such as participating in Hinsdale’s annual Christmas Walk.
It also would like to initiate more collaboration between organizations that provide youth services, Hurwitz said. He cited Youth Enrichment Services, known as YES, a consortium of agencies in and around Hinsdale that provides information, services, programming and other activities for children, young adults, parents and other caregivers, families and educators. YES was created in 1993 with the library, Hinsdale Parks and Recreation Services, Hinsdale Historical Society and Hinsdale Center for the Arts. Consortium members explore opportunities to cooperate, working to coordinate programs, planning and other activities whenever possible.
“The library is being used more heavily than ever–just in different ways,” Hurwitz said.
For more information about the Hinsdale Public Library, call 630-986-1976.
Library to host puppets, picnics
Here is a list of upcoming library programs and events at the Hinsdale Public Library.
YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS
Feed Your Need to Read–Get a TASTE for Books!: The summer reading program is for pre-readers, ages 2-4, with their parents and caregivers; kindergartners and 1st graders; 2nd and 3rd graders; 4th and 5th graders; and 6th graders and up. Participants read books to earn prizes. June 1 through July 31.
Family Adventures: Performances by storytellers, puppeteers, singers and others for children and their parents and caregivers. 7 p.m. Mondays June 11-July 30. $1 a person.
Fun Zone: Hands-on program for children in 1st through 5th grades, with a different guest each week. 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays June 14-July 26. $2 per person.
Lock-in: Participants will spend a night locked in the library (under adult supervision). The program will feature get-to-know-you games, mini-Olympics, movies, a storyteller, pizza and more. For children in 6th grade and up. 7 p.m. June 22 to 7 a.m. June 23. $5 per person. Space is limited; call the library to register.
Picture Book Picnic: Participants bring a picnic lunch and listen to storytellers. For children ages 2 and older, their parents and caregivers. 11:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays beginning June 12. Call the library for specific dates.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Adult book discussions: Discussion of selected books and authors. Participants will discuss “On the Road,” by Jack Kerouac, May 17. The discussions take place at 1:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month in the large meeting room. Call the library to enroll.
Friends of the Hinsdale Public Library book sale: The members-only preview night will be 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Book sale hours for the public will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 1-4 p.m. May 6; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. May 7-10; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 11; and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 12. May 12 also is “Make Us an Offer Day.”
Listing your home on the National Register of Historic Places: Betsy Gurlacz, a house history writer and speaker who lives in the western suburbs, will present a program about the types of homes that qualify for the National Register, and how to register them. 7:30 p.m. May 23. Call the library to register.
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For more information about any of the programs, call the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St., at 630-986-1976.
— Compiled by Maryann Traficante Mills.
