Using Library PCs

This week’s question: Do I need a library card to use a library PC?

You do need to sign on to our PCs with the bar code number on the back of your card and your last name. If you forget to bring your card, ask a librarian to look up the number for you. If you live in our district, but don’t yet have a card, you can obtain one with a photo ID and proof of residence at our Check-Out desk. See more…

If you live in another Illinois library district, please obtain a card from your district library and bring it with you. Register it at our Check-Out desk, and from then on you will be able to log on to a computer with your card number and last name. Guest passes, for the use of occasional visitors from other areas, are available at the Reference Desk.

Reserving and Using Library PCs: FAQs

Joomla Upgrade

Our web site was recently upgraded to a newer version of Joomla, the Content Management System (CMS) we use to create and update our pages. There are no changes to the organization or appearance of the site. However, the upgrade has caused a few temporary problems.

• You may have noticed that there is no longer a correctly functioning catalog search box on the front page. We hope to have that restored soon. Fixed.
• Links from the slides on the front page for program registration are currently not working. Fixed.
• Some internal links were broken in the transition and we are in the process of repairing those as well.

Thanks for your patience as we resolve these issues.

Renewing Options

A patron asked, What are my options for renewing library materials?

Renewals on most items are available for two additional loan periods, if no holds are pending and the item has not been billed for replacement. However, neither eBooks nor eAudiobooks can be renewed, nor can Hot Picks. To request a renewal of an Interlibrary Loan item, contact a Reference Desk at 847-362-2330.

Renewals of other items may be done in person, online in your library account, or by calling 847-362-0438. You will be asked for your library card number and the barcodes of the items when you call.

Here's the scoop on renewing online:

1. Go to My Account.

2. Select the materials you want to renew by checking the boxes in the RENEW column and then click the Renew Selected button. To renew everything at once, click the Renew All button.

3. A confirmation screen will appear. Confirm that you want to renew the items listed by clicking the Yes button.

4. Check the STATUS column for information on the success or failure of each renewal. If the renewal is successful, a new due date will appear in the STATUS column.

Online Encyclopedias

Another question from last fall’s survey: Does the library have subscriptions to online encyclopedias, such as the Britannica?

We do have the Britannica and several others available on our web site. To access them, Click Research a Topic on our front page. On the Research a Topic page, you will see a tab for an A-Z list of all our databases, one for finding newspaper and magazine articles, and a third tab for online encyclopedias.


When you visit that page you will find links to Britannica and Britannica for Kids, as well as the Americana Encyclopedia, the Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, the Oxford English Dictionary, and five different versions of the World Book for various audiences. Have your library card handy when you visit this page, because you will need to enter your card number to search the encyclopedias.