Back-to-School Book Bingo and Adult Reading Challenge
Summer reading might be over, but the reading fun doesn’t have to be! Check out our reading challenges for all ages for the month of August below:
For ages 0-14, we have a kids’ back-to-school book bingo!
For ages 12-18, we have a teen back-to-school book bingo! The program runs through September 30th and prizes will be available beginning August 10th.
For adults, we are beginning a new monthly reading challenge! Check out all of the details (including how to win prizes) on our Adult Reading Challenge page.
Summer Reading Final Prize Pick-Up
UPDATE 8/3/20: We still have summer reading prizes left! Stop by the Main Library (inside or drive-through window) anytime to pick them up, while supplies last. Please note that we did not have any kind of sign-up for summer reading this year – if you read 15 hours over the six weeks of summer reading (an average of 2.5 hours a week) you can get a prize!
Calling all Summer Reading Participants! Come see us to pick up your final prize! You need to have read at least 15 hours over the course of the program to receive your prize. Prizes are a cup or glass (depending on the age group) along with 2 coupons to local businesses and a final prize button.
(Prizes while supplies last)
Pick-Up Dates and Times:
Monday- 10:00-12:00 Main Library Parking Lot
Tuesday- 5:00-7:00 Sunnyland Branch Curbside
Wednesday- 10:00 – 12:00 Main Library Parking Lot
Thursday- 4:00-6:00 Main Library Parking Lot
Friday- 10:00 – 12:00 Main Library Parking Lot
Saturday- 9:00-1:00 Main Library Drive Up
Sunday- 1:00-5:00 Main Library Drive Up
Cabin Fever Drawings
We will draw for our Cabin Fever Book Bingo final prizes on July 15, 2020. If you have your Bingo sheet, please turn it in to either our Main or Branch locations. If you have misplaced your Bingo card, stop in at either location to pick up a new one. Bingo cards can also be picked up at the drive-thru window at the Main library. Simply let us know on the sheet if you completed a single Bingo or if you filled the card.
Reopening June 29! Plus, Late Fee Free!
Washington District Library is resuming regular hours on June 29 with some changes to keep staff and patrons safe.
What’s Different:
- Masks must be worn by patrons and staff at all times.
- Patrons and staff are expected to practice social distancing (6 feet apart) whenever possible.
- Limited capacity at both libraries.
- Meeting room and study rooms are closed.
- In-person programming is suspended.
- Games, toys and most seating have been removed to promote social distancing.
- Hand sanitizer is available.
- Public services are disinfected hourly.
- Limited computers to promote social distancing.
- Returned items are quarantined for 3 days. Items will remain on your card for that period.
- Indoor bookdrops are unavailable; outdoor bookdrops remain open.
Late Fee Free
To coincide with reopening, WDL is going late fee free!
- Existing late fees from WDL are being erased.
- Anything checked out at WDL will not accumulate late fees, except equipment (like Rokus and mobile hotspots).
- This applies to anything checked out at WDL no matter where the item is from, where you have a library card, or where the item is returned.
- Items not returned two weeks after the due date are considered “lost” and are charged to the patron’s account until the item is returned.
- WDL can’t accept money for fees from other libraries.
COVID-19 Update
Good morning, many of you have seen or heard rumors that someone who works at Washington District Library has tested positive for COVID-19.
The staff and Board of Trustees of Washington District Library recognize the importance of safety above all else at this time. In an effort to make the library as safe a place as possible for our staff and our community, we are doing the following things every day:
- Cleaning the library every night.
- Utilizing social distancing and wearing masks, per CDC guidelines.
- Quarantining returned library items for seven days.
- Wearing gloves when handling returned items.
- Wearing gloves when handing items to patrons at the drive-through window or at the curb.
- Keeping the building closed to the public during Phase 3 of Restore Illinois.
If someone in the library were to have a confirmed positive test for COVID-19, whether that person were a library staff member or not, we would take the following additional measures:
- That person would not return to the library until their self-quarantine had ended, per CDC recommendations.
- The library would receive an additional disinfecting deep clean.
We value the safety and health of our community and our staff, and we want to continue to be a part of our community, in the safest way possible.
Craft Kit Pick Up
Summer reading craft kits for all ages will be available for pick up every Monday for the six weeks of summer reading (June 15-July 26). You can pick up craft kits for kids, teens and adults in the Main Library parking lot between 10:30-12:30 and 3:30-5:30 every Monday, while supplies last.
You can complete the crafts on your own or, if you like, craft along with us during our Facebook Live events. Our weekly Facebook Live schedule is:
Children: 2:00 Tuesdays
Adults: 2:00 Wednesdays
Teens: 2:00 Thursdays
Book Giveaway
Stop by the Main Library this Friday, June 12 from 9am-12pm for a book giveaway! We will be set up outside and you can browse Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) books for teens and adults and take some home.
COVID-19 Closure Stats
Curious about what your library staff were doing during the COVID-19 closure? Check out this infographic!
Curbside Pickup Starts May 26th
The library will begin providing curbside pickup service beginning May 26.
Main Library Drive-Through Hours:
- Monday-Friday 10am-6pm
- Saturday 9am-1pm
Branch Library Curbside Hours (Call 309-745-3023 when you arrive to pickup):
- Tuesday 4-8pm
- Friday 9am-1pm
What You Need to Know:
- You can place your holds through our online catalog anytime or call us during open hours.
- The drop boxes at the Main and Branch libraries are now open for materials return.
- The due date for all items checked out before March 18th is July 1st.
- Only items owned by Washington District Library can be placed on hold.
- We will call or email you when your hold is available.
- Returned items will have to be quarantined for seven days once they are returned. This means items will remain checked out on your account for seven days after you return them. You will not incur any late fines due to the quarantine period.
- Please return your items to Main Library or the Sunnyland Branch library. Otherwise they will not be returned to us until interlibrary loan service resumes.
COVID-19 Outbreak Response
Effective 6PM on Monday, March 16, 2020, Washington District Library will be closed to the public.
The drive-up window only at the Main Library will be open from 9AM to 12PM on Tuesday, March 17, and we encourage patrons to pick up any holds on that day. While WDL’s first priority is service to our public, we feel it would be irresponsible to put vulnerable community members at risk by remaining open. We will take advice from public health officials and state library organizations to determine a date to reopen.
The library buildings, drive-up window, and bookdrops will be closed during this time. We ask all patrons to please keep any materials they currently have checked out. Due dates for all current checkouts will be extended until June 1. All programs and meetings at the library will be suspended during the closure.
WDL will be closed until further notice. We will update the public on changes as they arise via our website, www.washingtondl.org, and our social media pages. Access to electronic resources will be available through our website. Questions can be directed to questions@washingtondl.org. Our staff and Board of Trustees appreciate your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.
If you live in the boundaries of the Washington library district and do not currently have a library card, you can apply for a temporary digital library card. This will enable you to access our ebooks and other digital resources while the library is closed. Read more and apply here.