Lakeland Newspaper April 19, 2002
What’s Happening at The Library?
By Sharon Westbrook
Kathy LaBuda, Director of the Antioch Library, was very gracious to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions regarding the contruction going on at the library. According to Ms. LaBuda, 18,000 square feet are being added in two levels, a basement and an upper floor. Estimated completion date for the new half is the end of June 2002. At the time the old half will move into the new half. Remodeling will then begin on the old half with completion projected for December 2002. The new building will house the adult’s section and the old building the children’s section. There will be a large meeting room in the basement. Two small and two medium conference rooms will be available for children working on school projects and for literary tutors.
The library is being built on alternate revenue bonds out of the general fund. Kathy LaBuda said, “the library did not get a dime from the Dolly Spiering Fund.” The District of Library Foundation will be raising money for new furnishings. Friends of the Library is raising money for a gift shop in the front. When I asked LaBuda where library patrons should park she laughed and said, “that is a good question.” The pavilion behind the library (access off Depot Street) is probably the best place to park and for now that drop off area in front is available.
You can be any age to get an Antioch library card provided you live in Antioch Township or the Antioch High School district in Newport township. At the present time an Antioch Library card is honored at other local libraries such as the Lake Villa Library. For the convenience of students, Friends of the Library provides a vending machine with pens, pencils, computer paper and lined paper for nominal costs of 25 cents and 50 cents. At the request of many patrons the fiction section will be organized by category; mystery, romance, science fiction, Christian, and general fiction.
Some of the Many resources available:
Developmental Games for Children (pre-math, pre-reading, and dexterity skills) large print books, braille books, books on tape (talking books), Service to the homebound (whether temporary or permanent), movies on video and DVD, Musical CD’s, cassettes also available but they are being phased out.
Computer programs and games:
Collections in reading levels (beginning, middle, upper grade high school and adults who don’t read well) Magazines (which can be checked out). Periodicals. Internet use providing real information ($20,000 worth of data services).
Do you have an interesting hobby or collection you would like to display at the Antioch Library? Two display cabinets for children and adults are set up for that purpose. Displays are changed monthly. It must be a hobby or collection, not self advertisement for your business.
An adult learn-to-read English program is available made possible by a grant from the Secretary of State. The College of Lake County trains tutors (for free) on how to teach English. The Antioch Library provides a private area for the volunteers to teach the adult literacy program.