We’re Hiring!
Love the library? Join us! We’re seeking a part-time Circulation Assistant to join our team. Please visit fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/jobs for more information, including job descriptions and qualifications.
RSACat App is Back!
The RSACat app is again functional for searching the catalog, placing holds, and managing accounts. If you still have the app, it should work a-ok when logged in. If you need to reinstall, it’s currently listed on Android’s Google Play Store, and folks are working hard to get it back on Apple’s App Store ASAP. We’re also working to update FDL-specific links, such as online resources, to provide the best library app experience we can. Thanks for your patience!
2/27/24: The library has been informed that the app is now available in the Apple App Store for iOS devices.
NOTICE: RSAcat App Disabled
Please note that the library has been informed that the RSAcat mobile app, which allows patrons to search the library’s catalog and manage their accounts, is not available for the foreseeable future. The library’s mobile app service provider (SirsiDynix) reports issues with their app vendor, which has disabled the app, rendering it inoperable and its patron, checkout, and library information incorrect.
We know that the app is valued by many of our patrons and that its loss will be frustrating to many.
While we wait for the launch of a replacement app in 2024, we suggest patrons put a shortcut to the catalog on their device. A mobile-friendly version of Fondulac District Library’s catalog page is available at https://alsi.sdp.sirsi.net/client/en_US/FondulacPLD/.
The library will provide more information about a replacement app when it is available. While this situation was unforeseeable, RSA and Fondulac District Library do apologize for the inconvenience caused by this situation.
How to save a shortcut on your device
For Apple devices:
- Look for the “Share” icon in the bottom bar on the page, next to the forward and back buttons.
- With the share menu open, look for an option called “Add to Home screen” and tap it.
- A box called “Add to Home screen” will appear.
- A new icon will appear on your device’s screen; you can move it around using the standard home screen press & drag options, or leave it where it is
- Tap the icon at any time to launch the mobile website.
For Android devices:
- Look for a three-dot Settings icon in the top-right of the page.
- With Settings open, look for an option called “Add to Home screen” and tap it.
- A box called “Add to Home screen” will appear.
- A new icon will appear on your device’s screen; you can move it around using the standard home screen press & drag options, or leave it where it is.
- Tap the icon at any time to launch the mobile website.
Introducing the Library’s Strategic Plan
FDL is excited to have developed its latest strategic plan with community input in order to move the library forward. This Thanksgiving and always, we’re appreciative of those who shared their time and unique perspectives to better the library and East Peoria. Our board and staff are committed to using this plan to continue providing vital services. Learn more at https://fondulaclibrary.org/plan/.
Speak: A Panel Discussion
This week, during 2023’s Banned Books Week and as we wrap up the Central Illinois Reads: Freedom to Read initiative, the library is proud to share this video displaying intellectual freedom in action.
On May 4, 2023, Fondulac District Library hosted a panel discussion with East Peoria Community High School students about the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. The book, about a teenage girl’s journey through her trauma after a sexual assault, is often challenged and/or banned due to its portrayal of lived experience and mature content. The eight participating students spoke thoughtfully, eloquently, and maturely in sharing their insights about the book and the complex issues it includes, as well as the challenges it often receives.
We thank EPCHS’s Jill Dawson for organizing this group of students and Ben Diggle for videotaping this event.
(Please note that microphones were not used for this event, and volume adjustments will be necessary throughout viewing.)
Join the FDL Team!
The library is hiring! We’re seeking a full-time Youth Services Specialist to join our team to serve our young library patrons and their caregivers. Please visit fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/jobs for more information, including job descriptions and qualifications.
School Supply Drive July 1-31
Help East Peoria’s kids start the school year off right, and supply them for success! The library’s annual school supply drive is back! The library is collecting new, unused school supplies from July 1 to 31 to distribute to District 85 and 86 schools. Requested items include:
#2 pencils
pens (red, blue, and black)
pink erasers
Expo markers
Sharpies
highlighters
Elmer’s glue and glue sticks
Crayola crayons (24 count)
Crayola washable markers
Crayola watercolors
colored pencils
spiral notebooks
composition notebooks
wide-lined paper
folders
3 ring binders
scissors
rulers
index cards
book bags
paper towels
Kleenex
Ziploc sandwich bags and gallon bags
Clorox wipes
A box for donated supplies is located inside the Youth Services department. Your donations are greatly appreciated!
Tree Planting: 2023 Community Project
We need your help for this summer’s community project! The Fon du Lac Park District will match the library’s $500 pledge to go towards planting beautiful tulip poplar trees at Neumann Park for everyone to enjoy – but only if all of our summer readers help us hit our goal of 500,000 minutes!
That’s a lot of reading, but we’re positive that our voracious readers will be up to the task. Tulip poplars are the official tree of East Peoria and are actually closely related to the magnolia tree, but are called tulip trees because of their greenish yellow and orange flowers. So register for summer reading and track your reading June 1 – July 31 to help us plant new trees in the community! Plus, everyone who completes the summer reading program will be able to add a leaf to the tree bulletin board in the Youth Services department!
Join the FDL Team!
The library is hiring! We’re seeking a full-time Communications Specialist to join our team and spread the word on all of the great things the library has to offer. Please visit fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/jobs for more information, including job descriptions and qualifications.
Board Accepting Applications for Upcoming Trustee Vacancy
Fondulac District Library’s Board of Trustees is looking for a civic-minded and motivated individual to serve as a Library Trustee and to participate in the continued growth of the library. Interested candidates must reside within the boundaries of Fondulac Public Library District and should have a strong interest in serving on an active board that represents the residents thereof.
Current Trustees will fill an upcoming vacancy by appointment. The appointed Trustee will serve under the appointment through May 2025, which is the remainder of the term. The seat then will be elected as a regular, full-term seat by ballot in the April 1, 2025, Consolidated General Election. A regular, full term of a Library Trustee is six years. More information about the library’s Board of Trustees, including membership, meetings, minutes, and more, can be found at https://fondulaclibrary.org/about-us/trustees. A description of the Trustee role follows on this page.
Individuals interested in appointment by the Board to the upcoming vacancy should submit the application information in writing to Genna Buhr, Library Director, 400 Richland Street, East Peoria, Illinois, 61611, or genna@fondulaclibrary.org.
Applications will be accepted until the seat is filled. All applications will be forwarded to the Board for review. The Board will initially review applications at their May 22 meeting. Please have applications submitted by May 18 for review at that meeting.
Please contact Genna Buhr, Library Director, at 309-699-3917 x1121 or genna@fondulaclibrary.org with questions.
Trustee Application Information
First and Last Name
Residential Street Address, City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Please tell us something about your interest in public libraries, specifically Fondulac District Library.
What do you envision your role of the library trustee/board member to be?
Do you have any experience serving on boards, committees, or commissions? If so, please describe.
If you have had board experience in the past, what did you enjoy about it? What did you like the least?
What strengths can you bring to the Fondulac District Library Board of Trustees?
Based on your knowledge of libraries or your impressions of what might be challenging to libraries in the 21st century, what do you see as being possible issues of concern to libraries and librarians in changing times? Challenges and issues can be positive…not necessarily negative.
Based on your knowledge of Fondulac District Library and the population it serves, what specific challenges and opportunities do you see for the library, now and in the future?
Board of Trustees Member Description
Fondulac District Library is governed by a board of seven publicly-elected district residents. Trustees serve six-year terms without compensation and are members of the official policy-making body of the Library.
Library Trustee Responsibilities Include:
- Fulfill the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act requirements as defined by the Illinois Statutes.
- Financial oversight, including adopting a tax levy and annual budget that meets the financial needs of the Library.
- Hire a qualified Library Director and provide ongoing evaluation for the director.
- Adopt formal policies that govern the Library.
- Participate in strategic process to determine Library direction and priorities.
- Advocate for the Library in the community and with elected officials.
- Prepare for, regularly attend, and actively participate in board and committee meetings; review and comment on minutes and reports.
- File a Statement of Economic Interest as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
- Know the community and its library needs; keep current on library matters, standards, and trends; and support staff and director in carrying out library services.
- Participate in the Library’s outreach and fundraising events as needed.
- Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments and complete them thoroughly and on time.
- Know local and state laws and library legislation in the Illinois and federal governments.
- Get to know other committee members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.