Making the most of … the Champaign Public Library

The Champaign Public Library is a fantastic resource for families. (Photo by lilhelen on flickr)

By Laura Weisskopf Bleill

Since the new Champaign Public Library opened two years ago (can’t believe it’s been that long!), it has become a mecca for area families — a destination where children can play, learn, and discover the world beyond Champaign-Urbana.

In our first entry in an occasional series about making the most of resources for families and children in Champaign-Urbana, we’ll help you take advantage of all the library has to offer. We’ll give you tips on how to maximize your time at the library, as well as how you can utilize its resources from the comfort of your home. For many of these services, you need a CPL card, although cardholders from all the libraries in the Lincoln Trail cooperative system enjoy reciprocal borrowing privileges (such as Urbana, Mahomet, Tolono, etc.).

Part I: Surfing the library from your Jammies

CPL is a prime example of the direction of the 21st-century library: it extends well beyond its walls. There are many ways you can access library services from the comfort of your own home:

• Reserve materials online. If you are interested in a specific book, CD or DVD – especially new releases or popular book club books – you can reserve the item online, and you will be notified when it becomes available and it will be held for you for a certain period of time. You can also suspend your holds to stagger the books you receive, says Nanette Donahue, Technical Services Manager. “If I read a magazine article that lists a bunch of good books that I want to read, I can put them all on hold (so I don’t forget any of them) and suspend the holds until I’m ready to read them. You can set the date that you want the hold to un-suspend. Usually I set them all to suspend for a year, then I re-activate the holds on a book-by-book basis.”

• Renew materials online. This will save you money in fines – they will even send you a reminder when materials are due via text or e-mail if you sign up for  the Library Elf service.

• In special cases when people can’t leave their homes — an expectant mother on bed rest is one example — CPL offers a free Home Delivery service.

• Homework help — your kids can get free help from professional tutors online, everyday, in four subjects via the library!

• With a CPL card, you can access Consumer Reports Online in addition to My Media Mall which has downloadable e-books, audiobooks, and videos.

Part II: Visit the library — for events, borrow materials, even meet a friend for coffee!

• Return your materials before you go into the library using the drive-through drop-off in the back of the building (off Healey). This will help save your back, although your kids may want to do this themselves.

• If you are bringing in a stroller, walker or wheelchair, park on the west side of the parking lot (closer to State Street) for easy access to the ramp.

• There is free wi-fi available throughout the library.
• Free events are aplenty. Build a morning or afternoon outing around one -  the kids can play or read, before or after; pack a snack to eat or buy one at the coffee shop. You can eat on the first floor, near the entrance. There are tables and chairs, and even outside seating available when the weather is nice.

• You don’t need to go to the front lobby to checkout materials. There is a check-out station between the computers and the librarian’s desk in the children’s section.

• Don’t hesitate to talk to the library staff, Donahue says. “Staff know their collections very well, and if you give us the name of an author you like (or a type of book you enjoy reading), we can help you find other materials you might enjoy.”

• Want to try out a Kindle e-reader? CPL has two available for in-library use. You can check them out for up to two hours at the Information Desk upstairs.

Of course, we would love to hear your tips. Please leave a comment below and we can expand the list.

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