By Stefanie Santos McLeese
Aug. 22 marks one year since Allerton Public Library in Monticello officially stamped its first book out for borrow at its new location at 4000 Green Apple Lane. There were mixed emotions from community residents, as the library had previously been housed in the Monticello Community Building since 1897 where it modestly began with four stacks of books.
Fast-forward more than a century later, the thriving library faced space limitations that made growing its collection and programming almost impossible. A generous $3 million gift from Max Hency allowed the library to purchase its own parcel of land and build a new facility on the edge of town.
From books on CD to keep the kids engaged (and quiet!) on a long car ride, to the latest movie releases like La La Land and Hidden Figures, this library is well-equipped to serve the entire family’s needs. Here’s what to know before you go:
- There’s green space to picnic and play. Unlike the original location downtown, the new location includes plenty of outdoor meadowland for a picnic lunch or snack and logging those summer reading hours while soaking up some sunshine.
- Computer terminals – with a quick link to the the library’s own Kid’s Corner – require a member login. The login expires every 30 minutes. Member credentials may be used on only one terminal at a time, which means each child needs to login using their own, unique member number, or children should be prepared for taking turns using mom’s or dad’s login, if the child isn’t old enough to have their own. Children are eligible to receive their own library card on a family membership beginning in the first grade.
- It’s FREE to attend all children’s programming! Cara Stoerger, youth programming services coordinator, leads with great enthusiasm and care for the kiddos. Always consult the library’s well-maintained calendar for the latest in programming.
- Membership is not free and is required to borrow items. Monticello Township residents already pay a library fee in their property taxes, so membership is covered for them. Others who wish to borrow library items must pay an annual membership fee, which is calculated based on property taxes. Anyone who wants a membership should bring in a photo ID with home address.
Summertime is the perfect time to check out the library, as it has an abundance of specialty programming targeting preschool through elementary children, and Teens in the Kitchen for older kids. Weather permitting, library staff plan to offer as many programs as possible outdoors, which will also include science-based projects.
With ample new space – inside and out – and as one of more than 500 libraries in the Illinois Heartland Library System, Allerton Public Library has more to offer than ever before.
Stefanie Santos McLeese is a native Texan, an independent public relations advisor and the mother of three children (5, almost 4 and 2) who are her “toughest clients.” She met her Monticello-native husband playing rec league flag football in Dallas where they married and had their children before moving to Illinois in June 2015 for a wholesome, Midwest, child-rearing experience, and near retired, babysitting-in-laws who live seven minutes door-to-door.