Featured
Job Search Training Session Series at 2001 Delmar Avenue
Wednesday, May 25th, 2022Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded nearly $6 million in pandemic recovery grants to libraries focused on responding directly to the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying services, transforming spaces and developing resources for their local recovering workforce. Funding 211 academic, school, special and public libraries, all of which received grants ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million. A combination of funding sources provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), both from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and state technology funds were used to maximize the statewide impact.
SMRLD is the proud recipient of $50,000 of funding from the Illinois State Library’s (ISL) Bouncing Back from the Pandemic grant. As a part of our project, Building a Job Ready Workforce, expert, Frank Alantz will be presenting a series of job search training sessions.
Registration Required
June 1, 2022 1:30 – 2:30 Job Searching -Where Do I Even Start?
June 15, 2022 1:30 – 3:30 How to Write an Effective Resume (will include time for brief resume reviews)
August 24, 2022 1:30 – 2:30 Job Searching – Where Do I Even Start?
August 31, 2022 1:30 – 3:30 How to Write an Effective Resume (will include time for brief resume reviews)
September 7, 2022 1:30 – 2:30 Online Job Applications – What Do I Need to Know?
To register call 618-452-6238
We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you in the future about what we are able to accomplish through our grant funded project, Building a Job Ready Workforce.
StoryWalk® at Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive
Friday, April 1st, 2022
Six Mile Regional Library District, in partnership with the Granite City Park District, is excited to present the StoryWalk® at Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive.
A StoryWalk is an innovative way to get people of all ages out walking while reading children’s picture books thereby combining nature and physical activity with literacy.
Pages of a picture book are transformed into signs that are then laid out on a trail inviting families, children, and others to follow the path of pages. While reading along, participants will discover each of the 20 stations located throughout the park along the walking trail. These stations allow families to enjoy activities focused on reading, singing, movement, and other skills which are crucial to early literacy.
The StoryWalk is a free activity available to all residents during the park’s open hours.
Our first title will be in honor of former Six Mile Regional Library District’s employee, Judy Modrusic. Judy worked in the circulation department for many years. We chose a fun book set in a library’s children department, Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher in her honor. When walking the StoryWalk, you can follow along as feathered friends return to the library each week. With its eye-catching illustrations and fun activities, this book is sure to be a hit with children and adults alike!
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, formerly of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Vermont over a decade ago. You can now find StoryWalk® projects installed in all 50 states and internationally in countries including, Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea.
Individuals, families, or organizations may sponsor a month of Six Mile Regional Library District (SMRLD) StoryWalk for $75. The sponsor’s name or logo will be featured on the opening frame of the StoryWalk located in Worthen Park.
Each donation will contribute to the cost of supplies, including book copies, lamination, and mounting paper. Books will be prepared in advance and installed by library staff. Each book will be displayed for approximately one month.
For more information on this StoryWalk, and the other programs and services the Six Mile Regional Library District offers, please visit our website, smrld.org, and follow us on Social Media.
To sponsor a month please complete the Six Mile Regional Library District StoryWalk® Sponsorship Form and return it with payment to Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Avenue, Granite City, IL 62040 or email to [email protected]
StoryWalk® Grand Opening
Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive
Saturday, May 7, 2022
10:00 AM
Six Mile Regional Library District, Welcomes Masters of Social Work Intern, Sydnie Vahling
Tuesday, March 1st, 2022
Sydnie Vahling joins SMRLD as a Masters of Social Work intern. Sydnie received her Bachelors in Social Work at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Sydnie is currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the specialized Master’s program. Sydnie’s goal at the library is to help and connect any customer who is in need with the services and resources provided within the community. Sydnie has a passion for helping others and using solution-focused practice to help customers through any crisis in their life.
Social work in libraries is a new and evolving field within social work practice. When working in libraries, social workers can be useful in many different ways. Library social work merges macro and micro practice to serve customers needs by serving as a learning resource, building community networks, and providing crisis intervention. Sydnie will be accessible to any customer who is in need of connecting to resources available within the 62040 area by phone at 618-452-6238 ext 732 or email at [email protected].
Librarian Reads: October 2021 Book Review and Recommendation
Tuesday, October 12th, 2021
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I absolutely fell in love with this story. And, while it has a slow start, it is well worth the journey. Backman has written a poignant comedy of errors, or idiots.
Anxious People reveals how a shared event can change a variety of people’s lives. Multiple interwoven events are uncovered as the story progresses, hooking readers as layers are peeled away.
When a young boy tries to stop a man from jumping from a bridge. When the man who jumped from the bridge leaves a note for another person. When a young girl contemplates what it might mean to jump from a bridge. What are the resulting impacts? Who do these people become and why?
When a bank robber doesn’t rob the bank and instead flees across the street to enter an open house, and takes a group of strangers hostage – these characters become the worst group of hostages in the world, or so says the bank robber. The hostages include a recently retired couple who purchase apartments to live in while fixing them for resale. A wealthy bank director who is shut off from her (and others’) feelings. A young couple about to have their first baby and who can’t agree on anything. An eighty-seven-year-old woman who is fearless. A real estate agent who just wants to close the deal. And, a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom.
The two policemen on the scene turn out to be father and son, and can’t seem to communicate with each other. Yet they try their best to discover who the bank robber is, where they disappeared to, and why the hostages are so reluctant to give a straight answer. It’s a convoluted trail that leads to a world of real insight into the human condition.
Originally published in Sweden as Folk med angest, in the end I couldn’t put it down. Full disclosure – a colleague absolutely hated this book. You be the judge.
Tina Hubert, Executive Director Six Mile Regional Library District
Anxious People is available from the Six Mile Regional Library District in hardback, as an e-book, and an e-audiobook. For more information, visit smrld.org or call 618-452-6238 ext. 730.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month & SMRLD Goes Fine Free!
Thursday, September 2nd, 2021Granite City – September 1, 2021
What’s in your wallet? A Library card gives you access to a wealth of information! September is Library Card Sign-up Month and now that SMRLD is fine free it’s a perfect time to get your Library Card.
Anyone living in 62040 is eligible to get a free SMRLD library card. To get your library card, either fill in the online form at smrld.org/connect/get-a-library-card/ or visit us at 2001 Delmar Avenue or 2145 Johnson Road. There is nothing more empowering than getting your own library card. It gives you access to technology, resources, and services to pursue your passions and dreams.
The Six Mile Regional Library District, along with libraries everywhere, continue to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. Libraries offer everything from early literacy programs to job search assistance, helping transform lives and communities through education. At SMRLD, you’ll find a wide variety of educational resources and activities, including Research Databases and Streaming Movies, Music, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, & eMagazines for all ages.
The Six Mile Regional Library District is committed to providing equal access to every member of our community and eliminating fines offers our cardholders a fresh start to rediscover all that their library has to offer. By eliminating most fines, the library is removing barriers and making access easy, equitable, and enjoyable for everyone. Existing fines for overdue items will be forgiven to ensure that everyone can start a new chapter at their now fine-free libraries. Fees for lost or damaged items will remain on the users account.
Customers are still encouraged to return materials on time but are no longer charged daily overdue fines on most items. Items borrowed through certain interlibrary loan systems will still accrue daily overdue fines. Customers remain responsible for replacement charges for lost and damaged items. As in the past, customers will receive multiple overdue notifications before their account is blocked or replacement costs charged. Blocks and replacement charges will be removed once items are returned.
Libraries have traditionally viewed overdue fines as a means to ensure that customers returned materials on time. Recent research, however, suggests that fines may actually discourage customers from using or returning to the library. Fines can be punitive to the most active and loyal customers, and they can disproportionately affect low-income households. Libraries that have gone fine free report positive public response as well as an increase of customers returning to the library. Many bring back materials that they have had out for years. In addition, most libraries that have gone fine free report that a majority of their customers still return items on time.
Come in and get your fine-free library card today or!
For more information, call 618-452-6238 ext. 710.
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Contacts: Tina Hubert, Executive Director, 618-452-6238 ext. 781
Kate Kite, AD/Delmar Ave Manager, 618-452-6238 ext. 782
Betsy Mahoney, AD/Johnson Rd Manager, 618-452-6238 ext. 785
Six Mile Regional Library Receives Edwardsville Community Foundation’s Healing Illinois Grant
Tuesday, August 17th, 2021Six Mile Regional Library District received a Healing Illinois grant from the Edwardsville Community Foundation. The grant was available to schools and libraries to assist in the efforts to teach children and adults about racial differences through books.
The Edwardsville Community Foundation is a group of local business and community leaders founded to impact the quality of life in the local communities, including: Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Hamel, Moro, Dorsey and Worden and surrounding areas.
Six Mile Regional Library District used these grant funds to create multigenerational book kits. Each kit is designed to help facilitate conversations no matter the age.
There are eleven kits divided into two categories, Tough Topics and Experience Stories. The Tough Topics kits are primarily composed of non-fiction books about various issues including anti racism, immigration and activism. The Experience Stories kits are composed of fiction books that highlight lives of characters of minority backgrounds including, African Americans, Muslims and Asian Americans. All kits include one adult book, one teen book, one juvenile book and one picture book, plus a folder containing discussion questions.
The book kits are great for families to share together, inspire reading, and family discussions. They also work well for small book clubs or anyone interested in a particular topic or experience. You can find the kits in the parent collection of the youth department at our Delmar Avenue location or request one through our online catalog.
Multigenerational Book Kits
Tough Topics
- Activism
- Anti Racism
- Housing Insecurity
- Immigration
- Incarceration
- White Privilege
Experience Stories
- African American
- Asian American
- First Nation
- Latin American
- Muslim American
Reading Colors Your World! 2021 Summer All Ages Reading Challenge
Thursday, May 13th, 2021Six Mile Regional Library District announces it’s 2021 Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is Reading Colors Your World!
Reading Colors Your World has a broad motif of “colors” that provide context for exploring humanity, nature, culture, and science, as well as demonstrates how libraries and reading can expand our world through kindness, growth, and community. Library customers young and old will be encouraged to be creative, try new things, explore art, and find beauty in diversity.
Each year the SMRLD summer reading theme is decided by iREAD. Who is iREAD? Librarians, which currently includes our very own Youth Service Manager, Erica Hanke-Young; the readers of all ages infant through adult participate each year; and the renowned illustrators create artwork for our materials. Where is iREAD? Developed by the Illinois Library Association, the program is adopted in other states including Minnesota, California, Alaska, Iowa, and Oregon, and worldwide by the Department of Defense for libraries on military bases. iREAD is implemented in thousands of individual libraries across the country.
Why participate?
There is also a serious side to summer reading. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss. Studies also indicate children who read recreationally outperform those who don’t. They also read more when they can choose materials based on their own interests. Six Mile Regional Library District is committed to supporting lifelong learning and educational enrichment for all ages.
With the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge, Teens have the opportunity to choose how they would like to engage with the Six Mile Regional Library District. The Teen Reading Challenge includes many different ways for teens to earn reading credit through various challenges and reading badges. This allows for each teen to tailor the program to their own personal interests and needs.
The summer reading challenge is not just for kids! Ten years ago, we expanded our summer reading challenge to include adults so no matter your age everyone can participate in the fun. We encourage you to read or listen all year long and challenge you to finish an extra book or two over the summer. When you show off your reading habits, it encourages your kids, grandkids, and neighbors’ kids to pick up a book and read as well. No matter how many books you read this summer, everyone who has registered for summer reading will be entered into a weekly drawing for a Reading Colors Your World ceramic mug. If you do complete the summer challenge, you will receive a special edition SMRLD summer reading t-shirt.
How to participate?
There are two ways to sign up for the challenge. The first is online through Beanstack. What is Beanstack, you ask? It is an online platform to keep track of your reading. With Beanstack, you are able to participate in the library’s reading challenges and log your family’s reading through the SMRLD Beanstack website, the mobile app, or connect through Alexa. As you log your books, you earn badges that correspond to milestones within the reading challenge. You can also write reviews for books, read other reviews from Six Mile Library users, and opt to receive weekly book recommendations. It is an interactive experience you take anywhere, without worrying about keeping track of a piece of paper!
Beanstack
How do I use Beanstack?
- Website smrld.beanstack.com
- How to create a Beanstack account on the webpage: https://zoobean.wistia.com/medias/5nedhz8ivr
- How to log your reading on the webpage: https://zoobean.wistia.com/medias/4xan3g248d
- Beanstack Tracker App
- How to register for a Beanstack account through the mobile app: https://zoobean.wistia.com/medias/3wkb50dk3o
- How to register for reading challenges once you have an account: https://zoobean.wistia.com/medias/c5dz8mda78
- Alexa
- How to add Beanstack to Alexa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVz_v467hXo
Paper
If you still prefer paper, you may register in person at either library and pick up a paper log. Kids and teens will register in the Youth Services department and adults will register at the Customer Service desk. Once you complete a book, you will add the title and author to the paper log. When you have completed the challenge, return the log to the desk where you received it.
Read along with 62040 this summer and let reading color your world!
Important Dates
The challenge begins on May 28, however if you choose to use Beanstack you may preregister starting May 21.The challenge ends on July 23.
All Ages Summer Reading Challenge Finale: Saturday, July 24 | 11 AM at Worthen Park, 2599 Parkview Drive
Get Your Challenge Completion T-shirt Prize at the Shirts Galore Mobile Printer & Enjoy the Bubble Bus!
Important Information for RBdigital Users
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021
Due to a change in ownership of the RBdigital Media Company, the unlimited subscription model for lending eAudiobooks and magazines is no longer being offered for library licensing. In addition, the new owners announced the intent to discontinue the RBdigital apps and website in the near future.
Digital eAudiobook access on RBdigital ended March 15, 2021. Digital magazine access will end on March 31, 2021.
We do not have a replacement for digital magazines at this time, but we are in conversation with a company who may be able to provide a comparable consortial lending model which is what we are losing in RBdigital. Consortial lending models allow us the ability to offer a robust collection of titles at a cost we can afford.
While we do not have a replacement for the digital magazine content, we do have many other options for eAudiobook material. If you are not a user of the CloudLibrary or Hoopla, both have eAudiobook content and we hope you’ll enjoy our these or our other Streaming Services. Please, feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at 618-452-6238 with any questions.
We regret having to bring you this news as particularly the digital magazines were very popular with our users. We hope to have a solution in the coming months.
Ancestry® & HeritageQuest® Library Editions
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021Powered by Ancestry® & HeritageQuest® / Distributed by ProQuest
Ancestry® & HeritageQuest® Library Editions, the largest online family history resources available, provide unprecedented access to family history via documents that record the lineage of individuals from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and more. Distributed exclusively by ProQuest, they bring the world’s most popular consumer online family history resources to your library. Access to these valuable Premium eResources are only available for free while accessing the internet in the library.
Answers await all users—professional or hobbyist, expert or novice, genealogist or historian—inside the thousands of databases of family information. User-friendly search tools and comprehensive indexing make it easy to start discovering personal histories.
MEET THE FAMILY FIRSTHAND …
… with millions of unique, full-text primary sources and enhanced images, including:
- Census records from the U.S., the U.K., Australia,
- and Germany
- Canadian Census (1851-1911)
- Birth, marriage, and death records for the U.S.,
- Canada, and the U.K.
- Canadian Genealogy Index (1600s-1900s)
- U.S. military records (back to the 1600s)
- Canadian military collections
- Drouin Collection of French-Canadian and Quebec historical records (1621-1967)
- Immigration, emigration, passport, and naturalization records
- Jewish family history records
- U.S. and Canadian passenger lists (1865-1935)
- Directories and members lists from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
- Court, land, tax, and probate records
- Freedman’s Bank & Trust register of depositors’ signatures (1861-1875) via HeritageQuest®
In addition to collections from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., Ancestry Library Edition also features major collections from France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Australia, and China.
SEE HOW THEY LIVED …
… with additional collections that add context and background to individuals’ stories, such as:
- Biographies and histories, including American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) and WPA Slave Narratives
- Collections that bring together diverse materials on communities of people, such as Jewish Family History
- Photos and maps, ranging from postcards and panoramas to family photos and headstones
RECORD YOUR HISTORY …
… and find others on the same path. Ancestry Library Edition features helpful tools such as charts, summaries, calendars, message boards, and more. Beginners can use the tools and resources in the Learning Center to:
- Begin their family trees
- Get the most out of historical records
- Connect with other researchers
- Find answers to tough research questions
- And more
More advanced users can share their expertise with others by contributing content to the Ancestry.com Family History Wiki, which you can access through the Help tab.
Looking for more family history resources visit our Genealogy page. Interested in learning more about history check out some of our other valuable Premium eResources.
Librarian Reads: November 2020 Book Review and Recommendation
Monday, November 2nd, 2020
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Who knew? I certainly didn’t. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation. And why was that? Because they retained the mineral rights to the lands in Oklahoma to which they had been relocated – they owned the “underground reservation” that was rich with oil during the boom times.
While to some this might seem like a really fortunate life, for the Osage it was cursed with murder, misfortune, and disaster. And, for the United States, it was the birth of the FBI. The “Reign of Terror,” as this time in Osage history is known, was only finally dealt with by an undercover team leading the Bureau of Investigation’s first substantial case.
The story illuminates what was possibly one of the biggest serial murder conspiracies in US history and one of the most forgotten. From the 1910s through the 1930s hundreds of the Osage were murdered for their “headrights” – the legal grant of lands, or in this case the underground mineral rights. At that time there were about 2,000 Osage who were registered on the tribal roll; each one of them received a headright, or their individual share in the mineral trust. Headrights could not be sold, they could only be inherited, which made the Osage quite desirable spouses for unscrupulous persons.
At the zenith of the oil boom in Oklahoma, in the 1920s, the Osage had accumulated millions and millions of dollars, equivalent to about $400 million today. BUT the Osage control of and access to their money was limited by restrictions imposed by the US government. Many of the Osage were assigned guardians to oversee and supervise how the Osage spent their money. Becoming an Osage guardian was also a desirable position that was maintained by a handful of untrustworthy people.
This is a tale of families who were being methodically whittled down in order to funnel wealth for easier access by shameless reprobates. Reading like a novel, this book is full of intrigue, mystery, sleuthing, and human interest. Racism against Native Americans is startling and unfortunate. Using primary sources including both published and unpublished letters, diaries, family papers, and records from the FBI and other sources, the author paints a vivid picture. I recommend this title to those who enjoy history, mystery, thrillers, memoirs, and just plain interesting stories.
Tina Hubert, Executive Director Six Mile Regional Library District
Killers of the Flower Moon is available from the Six Mile Regional Library District in hardback, audiobook, as an e-book and an e-audiobook. For more information, visit elibrary.smrld.org or call 618-452-6238 ext. 730.
Ever wonder what your SMRLD librarians are reading? Well now you can follow along at smrld.org/librarianreads with some of their recommendations.
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