Morton Grove Community Blog

From Ben Schapiro's Desk at the Morton Grove Public Library

2006-08-25T15:42:14Z

Does Morton Grove Need a New Library? Well, yes! As Library Director, I admit to no small measure of satisfaction when a patron recently wrote to say he has no problem finding materials and that he finds the Library adequate. The goal of every MGPL staff member is to meet the needs of each and every resident so they can be as satisfied as that patron. Unfortunately the patrons satisfaction with things as they have been led to the conclusion that nothing needs to change at the Library. But we all know one size does not fit all. One patrons source of satisfaction is also anothers inadequate or inaccessible collection. Would a fire department with ladders only tall enough to meet the needs of one or two-story homeowners provide enough safety for everyone in the village? Over the years the staff at MGPL has done an excellent job of meeting the changing needs of the community despite clearly inadequate space. It may then seem surprising to some that there is a need for a new building. But it has been apparent for some time that Morton Grove does need a new library building. A 1998 space-planning study determined that the library should be 50% larger than the current building just to adequately house the existing collection and services. To meet state standards for a community our size we need a building more than twice the size of the usable space available now. Half the adult collection is inaccessible to anyone unable to climb stairs. While we have an elevator (added before ADA requirements), there are steps between it and the mezzanine bookshelves.]]> New Library

From Ben Schapiro's Desk at the Morton Grove Public Library

2006-07-25T22:09:39Z

What is a TIF?

Tax incremental financing helps local governments attract new businesses and private development.

The Village of Morton Grove will be having a community meeting to discuss the Lehigh-Ferris Redevelopment District (TIF). To help the community understand what a TIF is and how it can affect each and every resident, the Morton Grove Public Library has found a number of websites that will help explain tax incremental financing (TIF).

Frequently Asked Questions from the Illinois Tax Increment Association.

The Effects of Tax Increment Financing on Economic Development from the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois.

Let's Talk about It!

2006-07-17T16:10:00Z

Wednesday, July 26, at 2:00 pm, Ben Schapiro, Director of the Morton Grove Public Library, will discuss current library services and plans for new developments. Join us in the Baxter Room for a lively discussion and light refreshments. For additional information, please call 847-929-5101.

Lehigh-Ferris Avenues Redevelopment District - Community Workshop

2006-07-17T16:00:55Z

The Village of Morton Grove will be holding a Community Workshop about the Lehigh-Ferris Avenues Redevelopment District on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the American Legion Memorial Civic Center, 6140 Dempster St.

]]> Whether you've lived in the Village all your life or just settled here, the Village's planning team wants to hear your ideas and concerns for the future of this vital part of Morton Grove.

Potential projects could include new:

public streets and utilities

improved railroad crossings

public park, Farmer's Market, etc.

Metra Station

pedestrian walkway or bicycle trail

homes or commercial space

housing that is affordable to seniors

your suggestions??

For more information, contact Bill Neuendorf at 847-470-5231

Book a Tropical Escape!

2006-07-06T16:59:50Z

The Morton Grove Public LIbrary is challenging adults and teens to read six books this summer. Here's how the Reading Challenge works: sign up at the Reference Services Desk at the Library. You will be asked for your library card number and phone number. You'll receive a packet of information about the reading challenge, including two lists of recommendations of books to read: Book a Tropical Escape List and Hot Summer Reads List. Complete a brief form for each book that you read and turn in the completed forms at the Reference services Desk. The top part of the form is your entry for the drawing to be held August 7 for one of three Grand Prizes. All entries must be received by 5 pm, Saturday, August 5, 2006. The bottom part of the form will be entered into a binder of anonymous comments and recommendations that readers may browse through at the Library. Everyone is a winner! When you complete three books, you will receive a sports bottle and other small gifts to keep you cool this summer. When you complete six books, you will receive a mini-FM scan radio with light. Three Grand Prize Winners will be drawn on Monday, August 7. Winners need not be present at the drawing and will be notified by phone. Two of the winners will receive MP3 players and the third winner will receive a DVD player. All Grand Prizes include a $50 gift certificate from Lord and Taylor, two Ravinia Lawn Passes, a Subway gift certificate, and a Morton grove Public Library bag of gifts. For additional information, please call 847-929-5101.

New Resident Reception

2006-04-01T18:00:00Z

The Village of Morton Grove will be hosting a New Residents Reception on April 24, 2006 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Main Hall of the American Legion Memorial Civic Center at 6140 Dempster Avenue. This is a chance for you to meet your elected officials, as well as representatives from the Morton Grove Public Library, the Morton Grove Park District, and the Chamber of Commerce. Immediately following the reception, the Village Board Meeting will be held at Village Hall beginning at 7:30 pm. All residents are invited to attend.

From Ben Schapiro's Desk at the Morton Grove Public Library

2006-03-23T21:50:54Z

By now, Books and Beyond readers may have noticed I have an affinity for technology in Libraries. In part this is because I spent almost two decades working in the software and library automation industry prior to joining Morton Grove Public Library. So I have seen how technology, when used to serve patrons, can multiply the effectiveness of a library. One of my goals is to broaden the appeal of MGPL by making our collections and staff more accessible to the Morton Grove community. The WiFi project has a great success. We致e seen many new patrons in the Library using their own laptops to access everything the Library has to offer--plus the whole World Wide Web--without the limitations of using our public access PCs and their two hour time limit.]]> MyMediaMall Digital/Audio book project is up and running nicely. Anyone with an MGPL card can log in and borrow, for free, any of more than 1,000 Digital or Audio books without coming to the Library. The Audio books can be played on a PC or MP3 player or, and this is really cool, burned to a CD for playback in your car. This feature is great for those long commutes on the Edens or METRA. It is also an easy and free way to entertain the kids on those long vacation road trips. While we池e proud of all our innovations here, no library can serve its community only with technology. The cornerstone of MGPL痴 reputation for service is our staff. Our employees, with their connection to the community, expertise in literature, research and other resources, are what make this Library useful and meaningful. In April, the Library will welcome a new full-time Teen/Adult Service librarian, Kathryn Opderbeck. Kathryn痴 tasks are to extend our very successful youth services efforts to middle school and high school students. Teens are an underserved population and Kathryn hopes to build an environment here that will serve them academically and become a fun 電estination� where they can gather. An experienced middle school librarian, Kathryn is very enthusiastic and has a real passion for Young Adult literature. Next time you are in the Library please stop by and say 蘇ello� to her. [As always, please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself to me and let me know if I can be of any assistance.]

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Preschool & Kindergarten Open House

2006-03-17T21:37:56Z

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran School's Precious Child Learning and Extended Care will be holding an Open House on Friday, April 7, 2006 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. The Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran School is located at 6218 Capulina Avenue, Morton Grove. For further information, contact Vicki Johnson at 847-965-4750 ext. 12.

From Ben Schapiro's Desk at the Morton Grove Public Library

2006-01-01T21:45:18Z

This latter benefit溶ot having to come to the Library building預ddresses a growing concern of the Library葉he fact that there are still segments of our community that are not using or being reached by the traditional library approach. Thus our goal is no longer simply to get bodies in the door to benefit from our services, it must also be to get patrons the materials they want or need when or where they need them. A consortium of local libraries runs the service we are looking at and we can join for such a minimal cost that our current book budgets remain unaffected. Every digital or audio book circulated is, in effect, a second copy that makes the paper copy that much more available. Since the online collection is chosen by the participating local libraries the titles should be desirable to the Morton Grove population. And for those residents with a library card, the service is free. Digital/audio books are now a well-developed, mainstream, product that has proven valuable to many library communities around the country. The service makes sense economically and in terms of reaching out to an underserved and important population without negative impact on existing services or collections. This really is something that offers great promise and is worth a try.

Morton Grove Public Library has gone wireless

2005-12-17T18:14:15Z

The Morton Grove Public Library has gone wireless. Computer users can bring their WiFi enabled laptop computers and surf the web. The system went online December 8, 2005. During warm weather, the free wireless connection may be utilized by laptop users sitting on the bench in front of the building. WiFi users will have access to all Internet and computer services except they will not be able to print documents. Only web browser-based e-mail services such as Yahoo!, AOL and HotMail will be available. Stand-alone programs for e-mail like Outlook and Eudora and other protocols cannot be used on the WiFi network.

New Internet Computers at the Morton Grove Public Library

2005-12-07T16:56:32Z

The Morton Grove Public Library has just replaced its public Internet computers with new state-of-the-art computers. Each computer has Microsoft Office loaded in addition to Internet access. Reservations can be made by calling the Reference Desk at 847-929-5101.