Kirkland Public Library will begin to offer curbside pick-up for Kirkland Public Library patrons on Monday, June 1st. This service will only be available if the region that encompasses Kirkland has moved into Phase 3 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois initiative. While Kirkland is in Phase 2 of this plan, curbside pick-up will not be offered.

Our goal is get to get books to our patrons while at the same time ensuring our staff and patron safety.

Patrons will be allowed to have ten items checked out at any given time. If you currently have items checked out that you no longer are using, please return them to the book drop outside the library beginning Monday, June 1st.

To place an item on hold for curbside pick-up please contact the library in the following ways:

You may email the library at kirklandlib@hotmail.com to request that a hold be placed at any time. Please be sure to include your name, library card number (if known), phone number, and email. 

You may also call the library at (815) 522-6260 to place a hold during curbside pick-up hours. If you call during non-curbside pick-up hours, please leave a message with your name, phone number, library card number, and we will call you back as soon as possible.

Only items owned by the Kirkland Public Library are available at this time. Holds cannot be placed on items held at other libraries. As we do not have on-line ordering available, we will need you let us know what title, author or genre you would like.  We’ll do our best to get books to you that fit your criteria.   Once your items are available for pick-up you will receive an email or telephone notification. Materials on hold will be checked out to your account as soon as they are processed for pickup. Returned items will be quarantined for seven days after being returned to limit the spread of COVID-19. During this quarantine period they will remain checked out to your account, and will only be processed after the quarantine period has passed.  Late fines have been suspended at this time, materials will not accrue late fines.  Fees for lost or missing materials will still accrue, and must be paid before more materials can be placed on hold.

Curbside pick-up hours are as follows:

• Mondays from  10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays from  3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays from  3:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.
• Thursdays from  10:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
• Saturdays from  11:00 a.m. —2:00 p.m.

When picking up items, please park in front of the library on Rte. 72.  Call the library and staff will give you instructions on retrieving your items. You will need to return items to the outside materials drop box.

When using curbside pick-up please respect social distancing protocol, wear a mask, and follow library instructions.  Our staff will be wearing masks and gloves when your books are brought to you. We are pleased to be able to begin offering this service.  The health and safety of our staff and patrons is our top priority.

Curbside pick-up will only be available if the region that encompasses Kirkland has moved into Phase 3 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois initiative. While Kirkland is in Phase 2 of this plan, curbside pick-up will not be offered.

Some hints on requesting books –

Amazon.com has a synopsis of each book.

Goodreads.com will not only tell you about books, but will also tell you which authors are similar to ones you presently enjoy reading.

Bookbrowse.com guides you to the best new and current books, includes reviews, excerpts, reading lists, find a book tool, info for book clubs.

OrderOfBooks.com shows a complete list of all book series in order.

Prairiecat.info will allow you to see what books Kirkland Public Library owns.  Click on the subheading Libraries, enter Kirkland and select public for what type of library.  Click the black box to find the library and scroll down to search catalog.  You can search by title or author.  This will show you what titles we have available, however, you will not be able to request it thru this page.    You will see the book, but then you will need to email or call to have it put on hold for you.

I’m hoping that this will help with people being able to get books they want to read. 

I’ve missed visiting with you all and am looking forward to a time when things are back to normal and we’re browsing the shelves again.

Stay Healthy!

Linda Fett

Kirkland Public  Library Director

Please do not drop books that you no longer want in our Book Drop. Our space is very limited and we do not have room for these books. Please consider contacting another library to see if they would be interested in them or donating them to a woman’s shelter, assisted living facility, or to a church for their rummage sale. I would love to have every book on our shelves, but it’s just not possible.

DROP BOX WILL BE LOCKED OUT OVER ALL HOLIDAYS —

Drop box will be locked over 4th of July weekend. Beginning Thursday, July 2nd at 1:00 p.m. until Monday, July 6th at 10:00 a.m. the drop box will be locked. During holiday weekend we have had damage done to the books by garbage being thrown in. To avoid this, we lock the box. Please do not leave anything between the doors. Thank you and have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

Looking to honor a friend, remember a loved one or celebrate a special occasion? Supporting the Kirkland Public Library through a monetary donation furthers the library’s mission to share the joy of reading, discovery and creativity with the community. Your gift also allows us to honor or memorialize someone special to you.

Monetary donations may be dropped off at the library during regular business hours or mailed to us at PO Box 189, Kirkland, IL 60146.

Please remember that family pets are not allowed in the library. Yes, you’re right – we did have Banjo with us and now have Darby; however, their job includes being trained to become a leader dog. As with any other public place, a service dog is certainly welcome to be in the library with the person they are assisting.