I’ve been visiting the O’Fallon Public Library for – well, let’s just say it’s been a couple of decades. Even before I began working at the library (a dream come true!), I liked to consider myself pretty darn knowledgeable. I had a solid grasp on the Dewey Decimal system, knew how to find what I was looking for in both the online catalog and the library itself, and I even knew about many of the extras the library offers its patrons, from notary services to Toddler Tales story time to wireless printing.  

However, from my very first day at work in the library, I realized there is so much more we offer to our community. Whether you know about these services or you’re discovering something new, here’s a peek at just some of the many ways the O’Fallon Library is here to help: 

-Notary Services:  Need something notarized? The library can help, at no cost to you. We have several staff members with a notary license, so while it’s always good to call ahead to be sure, you can generally find a notary here whenever the library is open. All you need to bring is your identification and the document to be notarized, and we can help with the rest.  

–Physical Items: These days, libraries aren’t just for books (…or movies, TV shows, video games, magazines, audiobooks…). In addition to our expansive media collection, we offer a number of physical items, including telescopes, fishing poles, ebook readers preloaded with bestsellers and popular favorites, portable CD players, kids’ flashcards, and so much more.  

-Homebound Delivery: For patrons who would like to access library materials but are unable to make it into the building, we are pleased to be able to offer a monthly Homebound Delivery option. Visit the link to learn more or sign up.  

-Passports: International travel can be an incredibly rewarding experience – but first, you’ll need to get your passport in order. Luckily, the library can help. We offer passport application appointments several days a week. To see what documents you’ll need and get your appointment booked, just visit our passport services page.  

-Study Rooms: Need a quiet place to work, write, or hold a meeting? The library offers three study rooms that can seat 4-6 people, as well as a conference room that seats 10 and features a projector that can be connected to a laptop with an HDMI cable. Rooms can be reserved online or with a staff member up to two weeks in advance.   

-Scanning & Faxing: Have a document you need to get online (or to someone else)? Our friendly staff can help you send a fax, or scan to your email or a USB drive. Both services are available free of charge.  

-WorldShare/ Materials request: In addition to the items available through interlibrary loan, which are searchable through our online catalog, we also have the ability or order special materials through our WorldShare program. If there’s something you’re looking for that you can’t find in the catalog, feel free to submit a Materials Request, and we will order the item for you if we’re able to find it. As with most of our services, there is no additional charge to patrons for requesting or receiving these materials.  

-Borrow & return wherever you are: One of the best features of the library is our connection with other local libraries throughout Southern Illinois. Do you live in O’Fallon and work in Waterloo? Want to kill some time while wandering in Alton? Feel free to check out and return books wherever you happen to be, and they’ll make their way back to their home library (or wherever they’ve been requested) with no extra travel on your part. You can check the SHARE member library site to see a full list of participating public libraries. 

There’s a popular saying that goes: “Bad libraries build collections. Good libraries build services. Great libraries build communities.” And while I may be biased, I think the O’Fallon Public Library is pretty great — and always striving to be better.