Need To Know?

I’m happy to report that most of the stereotypes about reference librarians are misleading. I have never owned a cat, I look terrible with my hair in a bun and worse in eyeglasses and I take no pride in “shushing” people. If, however, there is an accurate stereotype, it’s that librarians really, really want to help people find information. Sometimes the search for information is a piece of cake, other times it’s a needle in a haystack. No matter how you shape the metaphor, librarians can’t rest until you, the user, have the information you need.

The same holds true when you need information about the library. We know you hear about the Des Plaines Public Library in the news and on the Web. If those news stories raise questions in your mind about the library and its operations, we encourage you to get the facts. Our Web site, www.dppl.org,  is a great place to start.
Click on “About Us” to find:

• basic information about the Library including important policies; 
• contact information for the library administration, every department and the Board of Trustees; 
• and Board of Trustees meeting schedules, agendas and minutes.

Board meeting minutes are available online after they have been approved at the following month’s meeting.

Speaking of Board meetings: our monthly Board meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held at 7 PM on the third Tuesday of the month in the second floor conference room. There are occasional exceptions: the August 2010 meeting will be at 6 PM, next January's meeting will be at 4 PM. Again, use our Web site for date/time information. Every month’s agenda has a place for public comments and questions, so these meetings are a valuable opportunity for the Library Director and Board to hear from you. Curious about what takes place at a Board of Trustees meeting? Monthly Board meetings are videotaped and then broadcast on cable channel  17 – get the schedule.

If your questions relate to our relationship with the city as a “component unit of a home rule municipality,” look for additional information on the City of Des Plaines Web site. The City’s Web site contains items like the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), Annual Budget and more. Want to contact the Mayor or a city council member with comments and concerns? Use our Elected Officials Web page.

Don’t see what you need? Contact Us – we can answer your questions via email, phone, mail, even text. Librarians love to help people find the facts and resources they need – so don’t hesitate to ask.