Book Clubs
Daytime and evening book discussion groups are offered at the library throughout the year. The library also supports book clubs within the community by providing multiple copies of titles for their members. These clubs may register with the Interlibrary Loan Department to receive this service. See Read, Listen, View.

Extension Services
The library offers district residents many services outside the library through Extension Services.  The library delivers materials to individuals living within the library district who are confined to their home and/or are unable to visit the library due to disability, chronic illness or age.  Extension Services staff deliver materials twice a month to both nursing/retirement center residents and homebound residents.

The library maintains a collection of materials to meet the specific needs of individuals visited by Extension Services staff.  Collection highlights include large print books, videos, DVDs, CDs, audio books, cassettes and cassette players.  In addition, the library maintains a deposit collection
of materials at each in-district nursing/retirement center.

Extension Services staff also provide a monthly program at each in-district nursing/retirement center and additional materials from the library's collection to aid the nursing/retirement center activity staff in planning their own monthly programming for residents.

Fax Machine
A fax machine to send outgoing faxes is available at a cost of .50 cents per page.

Income Tax Forms
Selected Federal and Illinois income tax forms as well as reproducible forms are available from mid-January through April each year. AARP provides tax form assistance to senior citizens by appointment.

Interlibrary Loan Requests
VAPLD cardholders may request materials from libraries across the country. Requests can be made in person, over the phone or online. You may have up to 5 requests in process at any time.  If the item cannot be obtained at no cost, you will be contacted before proceeding.  Any charges must be paid before the request is processed.  It may take up to two weeks for your request(s) to arrive. Please check the VAPLD catalog before requesting an item from another library. See the Interlibrary Loan page.

Meeting Room Space
Individuals interested in using the library's meeting room facilities should review the Library Meeting Room Use Policy.  Nonprofit groups and organizations may schedule meetings free of charge. Call Administration at 847 634-3650.

Memorial Donations
Monetary donations can be made in someone’s memory or honor. Selection of these materials will be made by a librarian based on the library’s collection and the special interests of the person being honored or remembered. A book plate will be placed in the item before it is added to the collection. See Support the Library.

Notary Public Service
The library offers free notary services. A photo ID and the unsigned documents are required.  Please call 847 634-3650 to ensure that a notary will be available to assist you.

Photocopiers
Black and white copies may be made for $0.10 per copy.
Color copies may be made for $1.00 per copy.

Preschool Services
During the months of October through February, Youth Services librarians visit local preschools to share books, videos and other materials. In April, these preschools participate in a "behind the scenes" tour of the library. Other programs exclusively for preschool-aged children include: Preschool Storytime,  Monday Morning Tots, and Jamma Tales. Art from local preschools is displayed in the month of April.

Readers’ Advisory
Looking for a good book to read? Adult and Youth Services librarians are happy to offer reading suggestions based on your personal preferences. Adults may sign up for our Preferred Author Club and be automatically placed on reserve for new titles by favorite authors. Youth Services staff can create a personalized reading list for younger patrons. A variety of bibliographies, displays, personalized reading lists and online resources, such as Read the Books and Dear Reader, are also available.

Reference Services
Reference librarians are available to assist library users with their informational needs. See Questions/Comments.

If you need assistance after the library has closed, call the library at 847 634-3650 and follow the instructions for Night Owl, an after hours reference service. Night Owl operates 9:00 p.m. to midnight, Monday-Friday, and 5:00 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

School Services for Elementary/ Secondary Teachers
Services for teachers in our library district include School Loans, School Visits, Assignment Alerts, a Parent-Teacher Collection and bibliographies. For specific information, contact Adult or Youth Services at 847 634-3650.

Special Assistance in the Library
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the library is handicapped accessible. If you are in need of a sign language interpreter and/or hearing devices please notify library staff in advance of your visit.  A magnifying glass and a Visualtek Voyager machine are also available.

The library collection contains sign language books and videos, large print books and audiobooks as well as a limited collection of children's braille books. A file of community and statewide resources is also available.

People who are unable to read standard print formats are eligible for the Talking Books program. Thousands of books and magazines on special cassettes or in Braille are available through this program. All books, catalogs and equipment are provided free of charge to eligible residents. The program is administered by mail by the Voices of Vision Center in Geneva, Illinois. Contact the Adult Services Department at 847 634-3650 for more information on this program.

Study Room with Typewriter
Individuals or small groups (up to 4 persons) may use the one study room in the Adult Services Department. Appointments may be made in advance by calling the Adult Services Desk at 847 634-3650.

Test Proctoring
Students taking correspondence, distance education or professional development courses who need an exam proctored may contact the Head of Adult Services to make arrangements.

Tours
Tours are offered to members of community organizations wishing to visit the library. A general overview of services and collections is covered. Contact Patron Services 847 634-3650 to schedule a tour.

Voter Registration
Lake County residents age 18 or older may register to vote up to 28 days prior to an election or beginning two days after election day. Two forms of identification are required; one must verify the voter's legal address.
Acceptable identification:

• Valid driver’s license
• Social Security card
• Utility bill
• Credit card or check cashing card
• Birth certificate
• Marriage license
• Employee or student ID card
• Library card
• Check book with pre-printed checks

Naturalized American citizens must provide the date of their naturalization and the state in which it took place.

Computer Services

Computers
PC computers equipped with Internet access, word processing, electronic reference resources and educational learning programs are available in the Adult and Youth Services departments.  Computers are available on a walk-in basis or may be reserved up to one week in advance by calling the Computer Services Desk at 847 634-3650, ext. 165.

Computer Instruction
The library offers free computer instruction to the public.  Topics cover  basics in the use of the mouse and keyboard, searching the Internet,
e-mail and word processing with Microsoft Word.

Internet Access
Internet access is available to all library users. VAPLD does not monitor or control the information available on the Internet and is not responsible for its content, quality, or use. Parents of minor children are reminded that the library does not control access points on the Internet or restrict children's use of the Internet.

Wireless Network
The library provides Wireless Internet access for laptop computers, PDAs and other equipment without a physical cable connection. Click here for specific information on using the library's wireless network. 

Electronic Resources
The library subscribes to many searchable databases that contain full-text journal, magazine and newspaper articles.   Business, health and current events are just a few of the topics covered by these databases. Other online resources include foreign language instruction, practice tests, career resources and genealogy information.

Vernon Area Public Library District cardholders may also access these databases and other resources from home by clicking on Electronic Resources . For assistance, contact the Adult or Youth Services departments at 847 634-3650. 

Collections

Audiovisual
Over 30,000 audiovisual items including CDs, cassettes, audio books, DVDs, videos and CD-ROMs are available.

Digital audio books, which can be downloaded to a PC or portable device or burned to a CD, are also available through My Media Mall.

Community Information/Local History
Community information files include clippings, maps, demographic information and other documents about the people, structures and businesses of the communities comprising the library district, Vernon Township and Lake County.  Information about local school districts is also available.  Local history resources include more than 30 bound volumes of oral history transcripts, clipping files and other documents.

English as a Second Language (ESL)/Literacy
Books, audiocassettes, CDs and videos for learning or improving English language skills and for adults learning to read can be found in the Adult Services department.  Materials are available to assist both ESL students and teachers. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) study guides and citizenship guides are also available.

World Language Books
Books for adults are available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Polish, Hebrew, German, Spanish and French.

Books for children are available in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Polish, German, Spanish, French and Italian.  Small numbers of books are also available in 18 additional languages.

Graphic Novels
The library’s collection focuses on superheroes, comic characters, and manga (Japanese graphic novels).

Large Type Books
The Large Type collection contains best sellers, romances, mysteries, biographies and nonfiction titles.  Titles popular with book clubs are also available.

Parent-Teacher
This collection contains information on child development, activities for and with children, and resources to enhance the school curriculum.

Periodicals
The library currently subscribes to over 400 periodicals, newspapers, journals and magazines, covering a wide spectrum of interests.  Several foreign language publications are also available.

A microfilm and microfiche reader is also available for public use.

Popular Picks
Multiple copies of current “in demand” titles may be found in the Adult Services department. These books have a 7 day loan period, with no renewals or reserves.

Puppets, Puzzles and Board Books
More than 1,000 puppets, puzzles and board books are available in the Youth Services department for check-out and in-library use.

Young Adult (YA) Collection
This is a browsing collection of current or popular titles, consisting of books written specifically for young adults, classics in literature, short story collections and adult titles with YA appeal.  Titles are also chosen to support school assignments and required summer reading.