Nothing stops Peoria Public Library’s quest to build literacy through Summer Reading – not even a global pandemic – but COVID-19 has changed the way Peoria Public Library offers its Summer Reading program.

This summer, instead of encouraging families to visit one of our locations every week to log their reading and collect prizes, Peoria Public Library has adopted a user-friendly online service that lets patrons track their reading sessions, scan in books they’ve read and earn prizes as well as recognition for streaks of multiple days of reading. Think of it as Fitbit for reading.

Peoria Public Library’s theme is “Read Where You Are,” and Summer Reading runs from June 1 to July 18.

“As we head into summer, many things are still unknown, but one thing we do know is that you can read where you are, wherever you are,” said Peoria Public Library Executive Director Randall Yelverton. “Find a place that makes you happy. Under a tree or up in a tree house. A favorite sunny window seat or under a cozy blanket fort with your flashlight. We want everyone – all ages – to rediscover how reading can transport us even if we’re still stuck inside.”

Details on how to use Beanstack, the library’s Summer Reading app, can be found at Peoria Public Library’s website: www.peoriapubliclibrary.org. A tutorial is also available on Peoria Public Library’s YouTube channel.

Patrons without access to the internet can still participate by either picking up a paper reading log at one of our curbside locations or by keeping their own log. Read one hour per week to earn prizes, which the library will distribute at the end of the program. Complete all seven weeks of reading to secure prizes and entry into a grand prize drawing, which will be July 31.

All ages can participate. Parents, reading to your children counts for you AND your child.

“Last year, our Summer Reading participation was up more than 35 percent, with nearly 4,500 readers taking part. We saw gains in every age range, and we’d love to keep that going or, hopefully, surpass last year’s participation,” Yelverton said. “This year, we’ve set a community goal to read one million minutes cumulatively, and with our new app, everyone will be able to see how we’re doing with this goal.”

With typical summer activities like public pools, summer camps and library kids events either cancelled or in limbo, Yelverton said he hopes families will rediscover how transportive books can be.  

“During the school year, students often don’t have a choice about what they read. In the summer, we want them to reawaken their imagination by reading what they like. There’s also a practical reason to sign up for Summer Reading. Reading over the summer prevents the ‘summer slide’ or loss of reading skills.”

Starting June 2, Peoria Public Library will have curbside service at all five Peoria Public Library locations. Also, Saturday pickups will be available at Lakeview and North branches, our busiest locations, starting June 6.

Peoria Public Library started curbside pickup service May 6 at three locations – Main, Lakeview Branch and North Branch – on May 6.

“We wanted to find a way to serve the public while still keeping everyone – our patrons and ourselves – safe. We feel confident the protocol we’ve set up for curbside pickup does that. At the same time, this was new to us so we rolled it out in stages,” said Peoria Public Library Executive Director Randall Yelverton. “Starting today, every Peoria Public Library location is included in curbside pickup.”

Yelverton stressed that all library locations will remain closed to the public until further notice. 

“We cannot in good conscience reopen our buildings yet. We take this very seriously. When we were open, we used to see about 1,800 people a day through our doors. Even if we limited occupancy, we still wouldn’t be able to offer proper social distancing at our public computers or know every book someone has touched. It would be impossible to police with the staff we have, and we would be putting our staff and the public at unnecessary risk,” Yelverton said.

Although our doors remain closed, Peoria Public Library has been promoting its digital services and online databases as well as adding new virtual programming to its YouTube channel every day – everything from Storytimes and craft how-tos to book recommendations, tutorials and sneak peeks into our Local History collection. Staff has also been answering questions and issuing temporary library cards via our website.

Due dates on all materials have been extended to June 12, and patrons must use the library’s book drops to return materials. Staff will not take items directly from patrons.

Even with the addition of curbside pickup, Yelverton encourages patrons to explore our virtual library, which includes nearly a million titles – ebooks, audio books, comics, movies, music and more.

“Our digital collection is nearly as robust as our physical collection, and so easy for people to access from home. When you check out something digitally, you never have to worry about late fees,” Yelverton said.

For updates, please visit www.peoriapubliclibrary.org or check the Library’s social media. 

Curbside Pickup Details:

· Call in to place up to five holds on items per household. Calls will be answered between 9-11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Online holds can be placed anytime.

· Let our librarians know if you need help finding something to read.

· Call the branch you wish to pick up from:

Main Library – 497-2000

Lakeview Branch – 497-2200

Lincoln Branch – 497-2600

McClure Branch – 497-2700

North Branch – 497-2100

· Patrons will be called when their order is ready to pick up. Staff will place items in vehicle trunks, preferably, or through backseat car windows. Staff will not take returning items from the public. All returning items must go in book drops.