Friends of the Peru Public Library Membership Kick-Off!

The Friends of the Library (FOL) have been inactive for the last couple of years. We now have new people taking it over. They have a lot of things they plan on doing. We're excited!
There are many benefits to becoming a FOL. One of course, is having early access to the book sales, but more than that.
     First you can purchase an individual  membership for $12.50, you'll receive a T-shirt. Or you can purchase a Family Membership, 2 adults and 1 child, for $30.00, you'll also receive 1 T-shirt.

     They have opportunities for business to support the FOL as well.
    They'll be having their FOL kickoff March 3 - 7, from 11:30 to 1:00 and from 4:30 to 6:30 Monday thru Thursday, Friday will be until 5:30.

     There are many benefits to becoming a FOL. When you become a member of Friends of the Peru Public Library you will be able to come to the books sales early. Also, when volunteering to help with an event, if there is a cost, you'll get in free. You'll be able to come to the monthly meetings and share your ideas. Have a satisfaction of knowing you're helping a very important part of the community.

1.  Enjoy a library that is better because of our volunteering and fundraising efforts.

2.   Improve the community culture as a result of a great library.

3.   Enjoy the pride that comes from  knowing that you are helping to spread the joy of reading.     

4.   Opportunity to meet new people

5.   The opportunity to participate in the various programs that you volunteer to help with for free, if there is   a  charge

The Peru Public Library provides many events, programs, and services to this community. They do a wonderful job, but there is a great cost to provide them. Most of the programs and events they provide are free to the public.

The FOL of the library are planning on having several fundraisers to help with the costs of these programs, and to help put on a new roof.

Please become a member and support YOUR library.

Library Olympics

The Winter Olympics have inspired us to have our own Library Olympics. 

On Tuesday, April 1st, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, we'll have four teams pitting their skills against one another. 

Our events will be: Javelin Throw, (relax mom, we use pool noodles), Shot put, (soft spikey balls), golf, bean bag toss, hurdles, belly crawl and a few other things. 

We have to limit this to only 40 students. Although you can sign up now, we advise that you mark it on your calendars so you don't forget. If, after you sign-up, you find you can't make it, please call and cancel. 

If you sign-up online, (click on the correct date), they will send you an email reminder.

This event is for students K - 6th grade. 

This event is free.

Another reason we need to renovate

Another reason we need renovation. The area between the main library and what used to be the museum, but is now the reference room / computer lab is a flat roof. Because of all the snow, the freezing and thawing, we have leaks. We currently have 14 containers collecting water on the main floor. This could cause electrical problems as well as it's ruining the carpet. Take a close look, see the darkness on the floor? That is water. This is only one picture, as I said, we have 14 containers and have already had to empty a few of them. We need renovation.

Why we need a renovation, Part 3

     The OCRA meeting will be held this Monday, February 10th at 6:30 in the auditorium of the Peru Public Library. We need you there.
     The heating system that we have currently, is a boiler. When it produces the steam that goes through the pipes onto the different floors; sometimes the radiators leak. Because of this, the carpets and flooring has been water damaged. There is also, quite often, an antifreeze smell. We've had a lot of complaints from our patrons about the smell. The staff has to endure it for their shifts, and we usually go home with headaches.
     As I mentioned on an earlier post, the heating is inadequate, some floors are hot, while others are chilly. And the noise created by the steam going through the pipes can be so loud, it's like someone is banging a sledge hammer against the pipes. When we get the renovation done, we'll have a different heating system. The noise, smell and uneven heating will be gone.
     There are times when the air on the different floors, especially in the computer lab is, well, wiffy. Between the smell of the radiator heat, the various perfumes, after shave lotions, body odors (people come in from work a little sweaty), cigarette smoke on people's clothes, and the exhaust that comes in from the parking lot, it can be rather pungent at times.
     We have no way of having fresh air brought into the building. It is unhealthy for the staff and is unacceptable under current building codes.
     We have old window style A/C units scattered around the building. If you've ever visited on a really hot day, you know they don't provide the comfort that is needed. During the Summer READing programs, we have a lot of people emitting body heat, trust me, the A/C isn't adequate.
     Our roof is old and with problems. There is a large gap between the separate buildings that make up the library.
     The wiring needs to be updated. It cannot carry the load of computers, and general usage. We have to be careful of what and where things are plugged in. The wiring is really old.
     The overall appearance of the library is generally unattractive, uncomfortable and uninviting place to visit and work.
     We want to provide better equipped meeting rooms, comfortable place to sit and read, study, or use the computers.
     This building is more than 100 years old. There have been very few improvements on it.  We are overdue on those improvement.
     We want a healthier environment for our staff and patrons.
     We need you to show up for the meeting that will be held in the library's auditorium. The more people that show up will help to convince the need and support of our patrons and community.
     There are many organizations that are wanting this same grant, we need your presence in order to get it.
     Please show your support for your library by coming to this very important meeting. Bring your spouse, children, neighbor, and friends.

Why we need renovation, Part 2

     The Peru Public Library is approximately 1/3 smaller than most libraries. The library doesn't flow, instead we have five different levels. If you go to the parking lot and look up, you'll notice that where the original library roof stops, and the auditorium begins, there is a big open space. Those walls need to be removed so that the floor will continue without interruption into what is now the auditorium.


 When this particular renovation is done, there won't be as much wasted space. The wall between what is currently where the computer lab is, and what is now the Main Floor will be removed. The computer lab's floor will be raised to be level with the current Main Floor. Also, there are two smaller rooms, one on each side of the Main Floor, that causes a lot of wasted space. The whole floor needs to be opened up.
It will make that floor brighter, more airy, and give us much needed space. We'll also have restrooms that will have baby changing tables in both, and will be handicap accessible.


We will gain so much room, just by knocking out a few walls and opening up the whole area.
Also, when they renovate that floor, it will become much warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer. The library is more than 110 years old. There is not adequate insulation, so maintaining a constant temperature isn't possible.


The windows are weathered and battered. Air is allowed to penetrate into the library, adding to the problem of constant temperature. When the wind is blowing hard, there is an awful sound made by the windows. The only way to alleviate the problem is to open the window slightly, which of course, lets in more cold air.


No one wants to be in a building that is either too hot, or too cold. Unfortunately, what is currently the children's floor, is one of the hardest to keep warm. The children and the senior citizens, need to be kept comfortable.


Please attend the meeting on Monday, February 10th at 6:30 PM. Show your support by attending the meeting. The more people that show up, lets those that choose the recipients know we are supported by our patrons. We can't get this grant without your help.

Why we need renovaton, Part 1

     The Peru Public Library is a community minded organization. We provide many services, and want to continue to do so, but better.
     In the past, we have had a variety of programs for a variety of age groups. Know you, know your horse, Master gardening - teaching us about the best usage of garden space, composting and more, Studio Indiana - showing pictures he's taken all across Indiana, of our forgotten histories.
    Children's programs: The Summer READing programs that help to encourage children to read, earn free books and more, The live programming on Wednesdays. Special events and programs for the children: Spy Academy, Fancy Nancy, Dr. Seuss' birthday party, Cat in the hat party, Christmas and Halloween parties and much more.
     We also have rooms that people use for a variety of business meetings, classes, SCA meetings, scouting and more.
    These events and programs could be so much better with renovation. Why?
    Let me start with the auditorium.
    1. The lighting in the auditorium is inadequate. There isn't enough lighting, what we have, have those thick globes on them, not allowing the light to shine through as they should.
    2. Access: A person needs to climb a minimum of three flights of stairs to get to the children's floor where the auditorium is located. That is, if they come through the front door. Yes, we have an elevator. If you haven't used it, let me describe it to you. It measure, approximately 34" x 49". It doesn't hold very many people at one time.
     If you're a parent with a few young children, and you need/want to take your stroller up with you. Well, depending on the size of the stroller, and the number / size of the people riding the elevator, You'll probably have to leave it in the computer lab.
     If you have a wheelchair, it better not be very wide. You then need to use something to reach up and push the button, we provide one, it's a dowel rod with a rubber tip on one end.
    To get inside, you must open a door, slide back a gate before entering. Once inside, the door shuts on it's own, you'll slide the gate closed. If you're going all the way up to the auditorium, you'll push button 3. Actually, you'll need to hold it during the whole ride, if you let it go, it will stop. Wait while it takes you all the way up, creaking and groaning the whole time. It will stop on it's own. Slide the gate open, push open the heavy door and you're there.
     Our elevator greatly resembles a freight elevator, but much smaller.
     If you happen to lean against either of the two gates, (if you're riding with a stroller, or antsy children, it's easy to do,) the elevator will stop. It's a safety feature, but really inconvenient. We've actually had people stuck on the elevator. We have to yell at them from two or three floors below them instructing them to open the gate and make sure it closes all the way. Hmmm. Okay, try the other gate. A few times they've even had to jump up and down a little to dislodge what the problem was. I am NOT making this up.
    The elevator is not dangerous, it gets inspected regularly, but it is small, slow and scary.
    Don't believe me? Please come and try it out for yourself.

    Now, I know you've read in the paper that we're suppose to be getting a large grant part of the money is to go toward getting a nice, large, normal elevator. That money is contingent on us getting the rest of the money. We need this grant in order to get that grant.
    Please come and support YOUR library.

Libraries: An excellent investment!
Economical ... efficient ... essential

*    "The gem of the community" - public libraries in Indiana
      welcomed more than 42 million visitors last year.

*     Indiana's libraries rank #2 in the nation on library visits per capita
      (7.2%) and #3 in the nation on circulation per capita (13.7%)

*     Public libraries provide almost 9,000 jobs in Indiana with more than 2,000
      additional jobs in the businesses that support libraries.

*     Salaries & expenditures generate $328 million in economic activity in the state.

*     The market value of the range of services Indiana public libraries provide is
       more than $568 million.

*     The national average cost to use the library is about $31 per person per year.

*     Thousands of Hoosiers rely on libraries for access to 3-government
       services. They depended on libraries to file claims for unemployment,
       to submit tax returns, etc. More than 30% of the states population
       do not own a home computer and use library computers to search for jobs and
       receive homework and research assistance.

*     Libraries save visitors thousands of dollars by offering books, magazines, DVDs and
       other resources for check-out. Top-quality programs are offered for every age;
       youngsters benefit from a variety of early reading programs, too!

*     The American Library Association  & the Indiana Library Federation encourage people to
       speak up about the importance of their libraries by writing to representatives and
       communicating with decision-makers.                SUPPORT YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY!
       www.ilfonline.org
       Data from the Institute of Library & Museum Services and the Indiana Business Research Council, Indiana University