PrairieCat Mobile App

Library on the go. Download our new App!

Prairie Cat now has a mobile app for the App Store and the Google Play Store. Take the catalogue with you on the go to view your account, place holds, and search for new reads in a variety of different libraries across the state.

How to get started:

1. Download the App for your device.
2. Select MARENGO-UNION LIBRARY DISTRICT.
3. From here, you are able to link your library card to be able to place holds and renew materials- all from your mobile device!

Please see a librarian or call us at 815-568-8236 if you have any questions or need help.

Get the PrairieCat app:

Holiday Gift Donations

Toys for Tots.

The Marine Toys for Tots Program has been delivering a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters since 1947. Please drop off NEW and UNWRAPPED toys into the donation bin located between the computers and front desk. Last day for donation is December 14th.

28th Annual Angel Tree Project.

Purchase gifts of clothing for Marengo & Union’s less fortunate children.  At this time, all of our angels at the library have been picked up! Thank you for helping those in need. However, other locations may still have angels available:

• BMO Harris Bank
• D5 Ranges Marengo
• FNBO
• Flatlander Market
• Hyperstitch
• Marengo Park District
• Miss Kitty’s Saloon
• Prairie Community Bank

Gift return deadline is Thursday, December 2nd.

Pumpkin Decorating Contestants

Our creative patrons turned these orange canvases into masterpieces.

Have a favorite? Stop by the Library to vote for your favorite pumpkin October 17th – October 27th. Winner will be announced Saturday, October 30th.

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Teen Read Week

Teen read week is October 10th through the 16th.

This week was created by the YALSA to encourage teens to continue reading and visit the library. This is the perfect time to stop in and pick up a great YA book.

Some of our current favorites are: 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

and many more!

If physical books are not for you, we also have many audiobooks and movies available via Hoopla and Overdrive.

Ebooks:

What If It’s Us? By Becky Albertalli Hoopla | OverDrive

They Both Die at the End By Adam Silvera Hoopla | OverDrive

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Hoopla | OverDrive

Audiobooks:

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee Hoopla

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Hoopla | OverDrive

When Dimple Me Rishi by Sneha Mathan Hoopla

In addition to our wide variety of YA novels, audiobooks, and movies we will also have Tiny Art Work on display created by some of our teen patrons. Come check it out!

Curbside Services Continue

We will continue to offer curbside services until further notice.

If you would like to use Curbside Services call the Library for assistance at 815-568-8236. Once the items are processed, we will notify you with instructions on how to pick-up your materials.

We have expanded out curbside hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 9:00a.m-8:00 p.m.
• Friday-Saturday: 9:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

Please note: For quicker service call 815-568-8236 to request items needed immediately. Holds placed through PrairieCat will be pulled twice a day and kept at the circulation desk for pick-up. Once you have been notified that your hold is ready, you may request curbside pickup by calling 815-568-8236.

Marengo-Union Library District

Fine Free on August 2nd

In an effort to help keep the Library accessible for everyone, the Library is going Fine Free!

Previously fines were $.20 up to $1 a day, and starting August 2nd all MULD materials with the exception of New Books, Hot Spots and other Library of Things items will be fine free. Items checked out from other libraries through PrairieCat will continue to accrue fines. Due dates will still be in effect for all MULD items, and if an item isn’t returned after three weeks of being overdue your Library card will be blocked and you will be billed for the item. Ask a Librarian for more details.

Using PrairieCat’s Encore Catalog

Access more than 5 million items from home or the library

This change to a larger library system will allow you to get more out of your Library and greater access with your Library card. Currently when you search our online Library catalog you only see Marengo-Union items; when we join the PrairieCat consortium it will allow you to see items from every library in the PrairieCat library system and request them.

Getting Started

ACCESS Encore Catalog in the Menu

LOGIN with library card number and PIN

QUICK TIP: If you are at a public computer in a library, don’t forget to logout before you leave the computer.

Search

SEARCH Marengo-Union Library District’s catalog or all libraries in the PrairieCat catalog consortium. You can now borrow materials from over 130 other libraries in Northern Illinois!

QUICK SEARCH

• Type in your search word(s) without any punctuation or capitalization. Then click on the arrow or press the enter key.
• If you have misspelled a word you will be presented with a “Did you mean” question with the correct spelling in a blue link.

ADVANCED SEARCH

• Use the ADVANCED SEARCH to combine a keyword, title, author or subject.
• Further narrow your search by choosing a specific format, library, language, and/or publication year.

Results

• A SEARCH that results in a single hit will display the full bibliographic information for the title as well as the holdings.
• A SEARCH that results in multiple hits will display brief bibliographic information. Click on SEE ALL to display the libraries that own the title and the shelf status. Click on the TITLE to display the full bibliographic information.
• An icon appears to the left of the title indicating FORMAT.

Facets

Refine your results using the FACETS to the left of the brief results. Further refine your results by:

• AVAILABILITY: Records that have copies available
• FORMAT: Select the format you are interested in such as book, audio book on CD, large print, DVD, etc.
• LIBRARIES: Choose your library or a group of libraries in a geographic area
• FOUND IN: Choose the field that should contain your search criteria such as title, keyword, author, etc.
• PUBLISH DATE: Choose the year the item was published
• LANGUAGE: Choose the language of the material
• TAG: Refine your results based on patron initiated tags
• SETTING: Choose the geographic area the title covers

My Account

MY ACCOUNT allows you a real time look at the items you have checked out, on hold, can renew, etc. In order to access MY ACCOUNT you must first Login using your library card number and PIN.

1. EDIT ACCOUNT: Add an Alternate ID, change your email or phone number, and opt in to text alerts for notifications (message & data charges may apply.)
2. EDIT PIN: Change your PIN number
3. MESSAGES: Displays messages from the Library, such as, you need to update your contact information.
4. CHECKOUTS: View items currently checked out and due dates.
5. FINES/FEES: View money owed and make online payments.
6. HOLDS: View items you have on hold and if they are available for pickup.
7. READING HISTORY: Encore will retain information on the titles you have checked out and returned. Opt in to use.
8. MY LISTS: View and manage lists you store in your account.

Renew Items

Items may be RENEWED if your account is in good standing, there are no holds on the material, and you haven’t exceeded the renewal limit. See more renewal details at muld.org/services.

1. Go to MY ACCOUNT
2. Click on CHECKOUTS
3. Click the box next to each item you want to renew
4. Click RENEW MARKED
5. Click YES when asked if you want to proceed
6. Notice the NEW DUE DATE next to the title

QUICK TIP: Use the Phone Renewal System and call 1-888-542-7259. To use this service you will need your library barcode number and the library barcode of the book you would like to renew.

Holds

If your library doesn’t own a title you can place a HOLD on the title to receive it from another library.

1. LOGIN to your account
2. Click REQUEST IT
3. If you wish to pick up the item from another library, choose a different pickup location.
4. SUBMIT your request. You will be contacted when your item is ready for pickup.

You may CANCEL your hold by clicking on the box next to the title and choose UPDATE LIST or cancel all holds by using the CANCEL ALL button.

Library Reopening

Safety Updates

• Please continue to wear masks for the safety of youth who are unable to be vaccinated. For the time being we are requiring the use of masks while in the Library.
• Curbside pickup will continue
• Hand Sanitizer stationed around the Library
• Programing will be held virtually through the Summer. Stay tuned for detail on Fall 2021 Programing!

Please continue to monitor our website for any changes.

Reopening Timeline

Wednesday, June 30

• New Library Catalog, PrairieCat, goes live
• Holds only pulled twice a day (please call if needed sooner)

Thursday, July 1

• Check-in station eliminated
• All public and catalog computers available
• Water Fountain available
• All public restrooms available

Monday, August 2

• Library goes Fine Free (Some exceptions may apply)
• Newspapers available
• Magazines available

Tuesday, September 7

• Public seating fully opened
• Study rooms and meeting room available for public use
• Children’s iPads and AWE station available
• Library returns to normal hours:

Hours starting Tuesday, September 7

Monday | 9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Tuesday | 9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Wednesday | 9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Thursday | 9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Friday | 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Saturday | 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Sunday | 1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.

Press Release

Marengo-Union Library District Adds New Library Services

On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the Marengo-Union Library District will become an active member in PrairieCat, a regional shared library catalog, providing new features to the library’s patrons and enhanced services and efficiencies for library staff. The library received a grant from the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) to help with the upfront costs of this membership.

The PrairieCat online catalog includes nearly five million items from 137 libraries. The catalog provides easy searching, relevance ranking, and other tools to make finding items easier. Syndetics Unbound, a catalog enrichment service, provides additional information on materials and allow users to easily find their next great book online.

Marengo-Union library patrons in good standing can place holds on items right from the library’s website nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can see at a glance if and where an item is available. They can then have the item delivered directly to Marengo-Union Library District through the RAILS delivery system, or can choose to go to the library owning the item to pick it up.

In My Account on PrairieCat, patrons can check account status, view their items checked out, and update their personal information online. They can renew materials online or over the phone. They can pay fines or fees online via credit card.  They can also suspend or cancel their own holds. And, they can store a list of titles read and create bibliographies to make research and classwork easier. Patrons can sign up to receive hold and overdue notices via email, phone or text message.

PrairieCat membership also benefits the library staff. Being part of a shared catalog greatly reduces the cost of making the library collection available online. The library benefits from centralized hardware, increased security, robust training, and technology and software support. Many more routine staff processes are automated, so library staff can focus more on patron support and services.

“PrairieCat is thrilled that Marengo-Union Library District is joining PrairieCat,” said Carolyn Coulter, Director of PrairieCat. “Shared library catalogs like PrairieCat are a wise use of resources and improve the experience of Illinois’ library users.”

The Marengo-Union Library District is located in Marengo, Illinois. It serves a population of nearly 14,000 in the service area. The library circulates more than 84,000 items annually.

PrairieCat is an integrated library system (ILS) serving 21 counties and 137 public, school, academic and special libraries across Northern Illinois. Through resource sharing agreements, patrons of PrairieCat member libraries gain access to more than 5 million items via interlibrary loan among members. The organization provides libraries with access to online systems, support, and training to help them best serve their patrons and students.

RAILS provides delivery, shared online catalogs, e-book services, continuing education programs, communication services, and other support to all types of libraries in northern and western Illinois. The system serves private, public, school, and university libraries in a 27,000 square mile area. More information : www.railslibraries.info.

You can view and print a PDF of this press release HERE

For more information, contact:

Sondra Terry, Marengo-Union Library District
815-568-8236
sondrat@muld.org

Summer Reading Program 2021

Reading Colors Your World: June 7th through August 7th.

Are you ready for a fun challenge this summer? Marengo-Union Library invites the whole family, everyone from age 1-100, to join in this year’s Summer Reading Program: Reading Colors Your World. Log your time reading virtually from the comfort of your home, at muldreads.readsquared.com. For those who have limited internet access, you can still participate by calling the Library to assist you with tracking.

The goal is to earn 1,000 points by reading 120 minutes each week over an 8 week period and completing 4 fun challenges, which vary by program. It also has games to play for fun! Just for participating, you’re entered into a raffle for gift cards, coupons and more every week you complete. Once you’ve completed the program, you get a free book!

Looking for something to read, watch or listen to? The Library offers a variety of digital resources such as Hoopla, Overdrive, BiblioBoard and more.

To register for the program:

New Users:
• Visit muldreads.readsquared.com
• Click “Register” in the top right corner
• You can register as an individual or as a family
• Fill out the form to complete registration

Returning Users:
• Login to your account at muldreads.readsquared.com
• Select “Add Reader or Program” from the drop down menu
under “Account” in the top right corner
• Click the “Add Reader or Program” button
• Fill out the form to complete registration

To log reading:

• Access your account through muldreads.readsquared.com
• Select “Log Reading”, fill out the form and click “Submit”
• Select “Missions” to complete Summer Reading activities
• Switch “Reader Accounts” to log books for other readers

Marengo-Union Library District Summer Reading Program Preview

Important Dates

Pre-registration Open………………………………..………………….NOW
First day to record Summer Reading Logs…………………June 7
Weekly Teen SRP Crafts Starting…………………………………June 8
Weekly Youth SRP Crafts Starting……………………………….June 9
Summer Reading Kickoff……………………………………………….June 10
Midway Raffle Drawing……………………………………………..July 12
Last day to record Summer Reading Logs………………August 7
Prize Winners Announced……………………………………..August 9