Library notes [January 02, 2014]  Family Lego Day Family Lego Day at the library is Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Bring your own Legos or use the library's. The whole family can build a creation and see what ideas other families have for their masterpiece. It's always fun and quite impressive! Please call 732-5732 to register. Sign-up will close at noon on Friday, Jan. 17, or earlier if all spaces are filled. Upcoming events Story times and craft classes will return for the winter session starting the week of Feb. 24. More information will be announced in February.

The Lincoln Public Library is located at 725 Pekin St., with adult nonfiction and reference materials in the historic Carnegie Building. The Annex directly behind houses adult fiction and the Youth Services Department. All library events are free and open to the public. Online, visit www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone [phone] for adult services and 217-732-5732 for youth services.

Grab and go

The Youth Services Department has a convenient way for busy people to select children's picture books. Look for the rubber-banded groups of books, selected with a coordinating theme. Each grouping contains four to five books, and the stories center around a particular animal or activity. Just "grab and go" to the circulation desk and you're on your way!

Miss Lou's blog

Louella Moreland, youth services librarian, has a blog that can be accessed by linking through the library website. She lists the library's new children's and young adult books and introduces library programs. Tell her your ideas and suggestions. You can also view videos and pictures of library programs.

Holiday

The library will be closed on Feb. 17 – Presidents Day.

Circulation news

Fix-it Lincoln — The library now offers a new collection of books on maintenance, repair and upkeep. The books include topics such as automobiles, homes, lawns, health care, musical instruments, boats and much more. Funding for this grant was awarded by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library.

3M Cloud — This is the new e-book database, which is an addition to the existing Library on the Go database. Thousands of titles are available, with more being added weekly, and can be searched via the online catalog. You will need a PIN number to get started. Stop by the circulation department for the easy instructions to get started.

Zinio — Electronic magazines have arrived. The library has a selection of over 95 titles, and more will be added. Create your account with Zinio from the library website and start reading. Stop by the circulation desk for more information.

Going on a trip? — The circulation staff can put a hold on any outstanding requests you may have so you will get them when you return. Just stop by and let the staff know your travel dates.

Emails and text messages — The library's new computer program allows patrons to receive texts or emails for notification of reserved items and overdue notices. If you are interested in this service, talk to a member of the circulation staff.

PINs — Don't forget to take advantage of a PIN number (password) for your account. With a PIN, you can search the entire Polaris system, see what items you have out, and request and renew books from home.

Gift certificates — Need a gift idea? You can purchase a one-year library card for an individual or family living outside the library district. The library will provide a gift certificate for presenting, and the recipient can bring it in, along with a photo ID and proof of address, to receive their very own library card.

Book clubs — The circulation desk in the Annex collects reading lists for all the book clubs in the area. So if you can't remember what you read or what you are supposed to read, you're covered. Drop off your lists at the circulation desk or email April Jensen, circulation manager, at [e-mail].

Links on the library website

The library website has links to many free services, such as Library on the Go, WorldCat, Khan Academy, the improved World Book Web and the Ask a Librarian service, as well as various downloadable forms. Check out what's new.

[Text from file received from Marlene Perry, Lincoln Public Library]