Posts

Come one, come all to the NPL Summer Reading Challenge, "Find Your Voice!" The goal is simple: to read every day. All ages can participate! Every type of reading, from digital content to magazines to books, counts, and for little ones who can't read yet, you can read TO them.

It's official: May 5 marks Normal Public Library's 50th anniversary in this building. NPL has existed since 1938 as a tax-supported public library (and before that, as the Normal Reading Room), but we moved to this space in 1973.

Book clubbing, that is. (Though the other kind would also be amazing). NPL now offers several book club options if you want to deep dive into various kinds of reads or listens. Among these are:

Did you know the library still has music CDs available for check-out? Located just before the nonfiction books, near the printers, we have loads of CDs ready for borrowing. While my personal favorites are Broadway showtunes, there are music choices of all genres!

2022 brought lots of changes to NPL! We got to say  "Hello!" and "Yes, please!" to many patrons, community partners, and opportunities. Some of our highlights, including the new & improved website you're reading RIGHT NOW:

We surveyed our patrons and staff to see what books stood out as their best reads in 2022 and why. Then we put them on display! Looking for your next read? Start here with some listed below or peruse the display in person near our main floor service desk.

Welcome to 2023! It's National Hobby Month as well as International Creativity Month, and we at NPL have plenty to spark your creativity this year. Ready to pick up a new-to-you hobby? Stop by our Create Joy display in the adult nonfiction section for some inspo.

Time for one of my favorite book-casions: Jolabokaflod. What's that, you say? It's the Christmas Book Flood and originated in Iceland. It's the tradition in this book-loving country to purchase books for one another which are given on Christmas Eve along with chocolate.

Prefer text notifications to emails or phone calls? We can do that via ShoutBomb!

If you'd like to get a text from NPL notifying you when your hold becomes available, or to renew your items, you can do so. To get started:

Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate your anniversary? Collaborating with your Chinese counterparts in your company’s Beijing branch? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.

Got a tedious task? Need to exercise but find it dull? Long trip on the horizon? We’ve got the solution: a Playaway. Playaways are ultra-portable books on audio you can check out with your library card. There’s one audio ‘book’ per device, so load up on several!

Have you felt the crunch of leaves under your feet yet? If not, you will soon. It's time to make your fall bucket list! NPL has the resources to help you achieve those awesome autumn experiences. Check out the 10 examples below for a perfect fall!

Thursday, August 11th at 6:00 pm, Normal Public Library will host award-winning folk singer Chris Vallillo for a musical history program appropriate for all ages, "Oh Freedom! Songs of the Civil Rights Movement."

Book readers and theatregoers often overlap–they are all people who love a story. NPL staff are no exception, and we love bringing theatrical experiences into the library when we can. In the month of July, you have the chance to catch three free performances at your local library.