FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pressbooks, SELF-e, and BiblioBoard: Let SMRLD help you share your story!

Granite City – July 23, 2018

Six Mile Regional Library District (SMRLD) is now offering a suite of products for local authors to reach a wider reading audience through BiblioBoard and their partners.  Authors now have free access to formatting software, Pressbooks Public, with their library card, enabling them to share their works with the community through SELF-e. Readers have access to more ebook titles, including by self-published authors, through BiblioBoard Library.  SMRLD strives to highlight community talent and provide them with the tools to succeed.  These tools will shine a light on our local writers and introduce readers to many indie writers throughout the state of Illinois.

With the Pressbooks Public tool, writers can create and design their own books, newsletters, poetry, novels, and other written content in digital and print ready formats. The easy-to-use online tool allows writers to create professional quality versions of their book in ePUB, MOBI, PDF and more—all through the library and ready to distribute through any publishing method.  All current and and aspiring authors need is a SMRLD card.

SELF-e is an innovative collaboration between Library Journal and BiblioBoard® that enables authors and libraries to work together to expose notable self-published ebooks to eager readers looking to discover something new.

Indie authors who submit their work also have the opportunity to opt-in to have their book selected by Library Journal editors to become part of a unique discovery platform for participating libraries across the United States & Canada. Using SELF-e, SMRLD encourages submissions from its local indie authors to make those ebooks available to any participating library across Illinois on BiblioBoard’s award-winning PatronsFirst™ platform. Libraries can make these ebooks available with no checkouts, late fees, or multi-user limitations.

In BiblioBoard Library, readers have instant, unlimited access to local, self-published books, a Community Reads collection (Popup Picks), and thousands of other titles. Readers in BiblioBoard Library will never experience waiting for a title, late fees, or lending limit. Users can access BiblioBoard Library through the SMRLD’s website or on the device of their choice, including the iPad^®, iPad^® mini, Kindle Fire^® HD, Galaxy Tab ^®, Nexus^® and more.

Download the app for your Apple, Android or Kindle device now. Or visit library.biblioboard.com on any browser.
To learn more about SELF-e, visit http://self-e.libraryjournal.com/
To learn more about BiblioBoard®, visit http://biblioboard.com/
Let SMRLD help you share your story!  http://www.smrld.org/pressbooks-self-e-and-biblioboard/

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Contact:   Betsy Mahoney, Johnson Road Manager [email protected] 618-452-6238 ext. 785

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tax Preparation available @ Six Mile Regional Library District

Granite City – January 19, 2018

You can get more than a library card at the Six Mile Regional Library District!  Soon, at the Delmar Avenue library, you can also have your taxes filed.

In partnership with Gateway EITC (earned income tax credit) Community Coalition, GCS Credit Union, and the Internal Revenue Service, Six Mile Regional Library District is pleased to announce that the Delmar Avenue library is a place for low to moderate income households to receive free tax preparation services.  Households earning below $54,000 a year can make an appointment to have their taxes prepared and filed for free.

Our IRS trained and certified preparers will prepare your tax return and e-file it for free.  Receive your refund in 7-10 days when you take advantage of direct deposit, for free.  You may also qualify to receive up to $6,318 cash back when you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Tax preparation services are offered by appointment only on Saturdays, February 3 – April 7, 2018. 

Our mission:  The Library makes a significant difference in the everyday lives of the people, institutions, and communities of Granite City, Mitchell, and Pontoon Beach by listening, understanding, and then transforming needs into proactive library services.

For more information and to make an appointment, please call the research desk at 618-452-6238 ext. 730.

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Contacts:    Juliette Douglas, Deputy Director (618) 452-6238 ext. 782

Tina Hubert, Executive Director (618) 452-6238 ext. 781

For Immediate Release

SMRLD Receives Project Next Generation Grant for “Six Mile Community Voices Project”

Granite City, IL

Beginning February 10^th, area youth ages 10-14 will have the opportunity to create their own short films. Six Mile Regional Library District received a Project Next Generation Grant from the Illinois State Library to fund the “Six Mile Community Voices Project”; a series of eleven weekly workshops introducing filmmaking concepts. The workshops will provide hands-on experience and feature guest speakers.  Grant participants will create two films: a veteran interview which will become part of the Illinois Veterans History Project, and a short film about their lives and community. The grant funds purchased film equipment, accompanying materials, a selection of filmmaking titles for youth, and support personnel. Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Kate Kite, Research & Instruction/Teen Services Librarian, wrote the grant and is coordinating the project. Erica Hanke-Young, Youth Services Manager, is heavily involved in the project as well. Our mission: The Library makes a significant difference in the everyday lives of the people, institutions, and communities of Granite City, Mitchell, and Pontoon Beach by listening, understanding, and then transforming needs into proactive library services.

The “Six Mile Community Voices Project” is focusing on, but not limited to, veterans and youth in the 62040 zip code. There is still room in the project for more veteran and youth participation. If you are interested in participating or learning more, contact (618) 452-6238 ext. 755.

Contacts: Kate Kite 452-6238 ext. 755 [email protected]

                    Erica Hanke-Young 452-6238 ext. 787 [email protected]

For more information and updates please visit our Project Next Generation page

Now Accepting Applications

Want to become a Library Trustee and Join the SMRLD Board of Directors?

The Six Mile Regional Library District Board of Trustees is seeking candidates to fill vacancies on our seven-member Board, which sets the library’s tax levy and budget as well as library policies.   Since 1990, when the library became a district, the board has levied taxes for the purposes of maintaining a library for District residents.  The library derived 95% of its operating revenue from property taxes in fiscal year 2017.

Candidates may be selected to be interviewed by the Board.  The appointment of the individual chosen starts this spring and runs through April 2019.  Both positions will be up for election during the general consolidated election process in the spring of 2019; one for a six-year term and one to complete the remaining two-year term. At this time, the Board prefers to appoint a candidate who seriously considers running for election in 2019.

Responsibilities and Duties

Attend Board meetings

Preview the agenda, minutes and documents before each meeting

Participate in discussion and decision making at each meeting

Commit time outside of meetings for the work of the Board

Be knowledgeable about the goals, plans, history, and future of the library

Represent the library at community events, be visible and accessible

Have a sincere commitment to the purpose and mission of the library

Be informed about library issues through state and national library organizations

Be an advocate for the library community

Eligibility and Qualifications

Qualified elector/registered voter residing in the library district (62040)

Relevant professional, volunteer, or board experience

Knowledge of community interests

Submit your application, letter of interest, and resume/cv via email to

[email protected] (preferred) or hand deliver to 2001 Delmar Avenue, by February 5, 2018.

The resume/cv provides the following information: schools/degrees attained/year of graduation; present occupation & employer/# of years with this employer (previous if retired); current and past board, civic, and other volunteer/community activities. 

SMRLD Board Application-FILLABLE

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