Prospect Heights Public Library News & Announcements

Why Some eBooks Aren't Available at the Library - Full Article

You may have heard on the news or simiply noticed that you can't get many of the latest best selling eBooks through MyMediaMall. In either case, you're probably wondering why. Currently, five of the seven largest publishers will not sell their eBook content to libraries. The other two only do so at exorbitant prices or through severe lending restrictions. The titles we've purchesed up 'til now, those that are in our catalog, largely won't be affected. But going forward, we won't be able to provide Macmillan titles such as Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan, or Simon & Schuster blockbuster Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. You won't have access to new titles from David Baldacci, Lisa Scottoline or Clive Cussler because Hatchette Book Group, MacMillan and Penguin Group won't sell eBooks to libraries.  Scholastic won't sell us The Hunger Games. Click on the link below for more information about this unfortunate situation. We'll continue to work with these publishers towards a compromise that will address their concerns as well as providing you with access to these best selling titles and more. In the meantime, please don't forget that we do carry these titles in print and often on CD and as downloadable audiobooks.  

EBook Publisher Restrictions

Snapshot Day

A day in the life of the Prospect Heights Public Library District

On Wednesday, February 10, the Illinois Library Association (ILA) is coordinating a statewide "day in the life" of Illinois libraries. The Prospect Heights Library will participate by gathering statistics, photographs and heartfelt stories that demonstrate the positive impact the Library has on our community.

We want to hear your story. How has the Prospect Heights Library helped you to become who you are, achieve a goal, or learn something that matters in your life? Your story may be shared, with your consent, but all other information will be confidential. Tell us your story.

Library Closed Friday, January 25

The Library will be closed all day on Friday, January 25.

AV Checkout Special -- 2 week checkout and FREE!

Your Library is getting some new shelving for the AV collection! To help simplify the transition, we're trying to get as many titles checked out as possible.  From now through Tuesday, November 20, all DVDs and VHS tapes will be checked out for two weeks instead of one. Also, the $1.00 fee charged for all feature films will be waived! 

After November 20th, everything goes back to normal, so take advantage while you can!

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Thursday, October  11, 10 am - 9 pm
Friday, October 12, 10 am  - 6 pm
Saturday, October 13, 10 am - 4 pm

Great deals on a wide variety of reading, listening
and viewing materials.

Library Closings

The Library will be closed for all library transactions on Sunday, September 23, but open for our 50th Anniversary Reception, held in the Library. All are welcome.

Banned Book Week, September 29-October 6

Banned Book Week is September 29th-October 6th.  Whenever people hear about Banned Book Week, they seem surprised and ask what it is.  It's a time when you are encouraged to think about all the books that have been banned from libraries or schools, or even societies.  The list is depressingly long.  But there's some ironic humor as well.

It's interesting to research why certain books have been banned through the years.  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is one of the most frequently banned book.  Published in 1884, it's been banned or challenged at least once each year since publication.  It was the fifth most challenged book during the 1990's.  But why it's been challenged is truly fascinating.  Current challenges are often based on the use of a racial epithet.  Opponents of the book claim the book denigrates African Americans.  When it was first published, however, Huck Finn was challenged largely because it portrayed African Americans too well!  Jim is a hero, he looks out for Huck and helps him along his many adventures.  The fact that an African American character was an admirable character, someone to emulate, scared some groups, so they campaigned to suppress the book.  What’s funny, though, is that at some point over the past 122 years, half the challenges to Huck Finn claimed it treated African Americans too well, while the other half claimed it was racist. 

That's just one example of how and why people want to ban books.  They believe that they're protecting society from some woeful ill or another.  They believe they know what's best for the rest of us.  A library is the exact opposite of that.  We believe in letting you decide for yourself.  Do you want to read Huck Finn?  Great, we have it on our shelves.  Do you think Huck Finn is offensive to you, or too mature for your child to understand?  That's understandable and we'll help you find other titles that suit your needs.  But we'll still keep Huck Finn on our shelves. 

Most importantly, visit your Library during Banned Book Week.  We'll have a wide selection of books that have been banned over the years, including Huck Finn.  But we'll also have book displays on animals and popular science.  Take one home and read it.  Or don't.  The important thing is no one will make that choice for you. 

If you'd like to learn more about Banned Book Week, visit the American Library Association's website or read this brochure from the Illinois Library Association.

Stay Current - Blog Along...

In an effort to provide timely news and to share information with our patrons, the Library has created several weblogs for communication.

A blog (a portmanteau of web log) is a website where entries are written in chronological order and displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

-source Wikipedia

We will be blogging about news and information, board happenings (providing access to agenda and minutes), teen services, youth services, staff picks for readers, and library exhibits. The blog items will be featured within our library pages, so visiting the website will keep you informed, as well as subscribing to our various blog feeds.

Virtual Tour of Library Available

A new virtual tour of the Prospects Heights Public Library is available online. This nine minute video tour will introduce you to library collections, resources and service areas. After you see the tour, stop by to visit us and let us know you saw the virtual tour. We're happy to be your tour guides online and in the library too.

Library Tour

1. Welcome to PHPLD	1:32 minutes
2. Circulation Services	:49 seconds
3. Adult Services	2:10 minutes
4. Large Print Collection	:18 seconds
5. Foreign Language Collection	:14 seconds
6. High School Collection	:17 seconds
7. Youth Services	3:23 minutes
8. Friends of the Library Book Nook	:21 seconds