Welcome to Mary Holtrop, Kirkland Public Library’s new Director!

I have been our Director for approximately ten years and have been talking about retiring for the past two years.  There was no rush and everyone wanted to make sure we got the right person for the job.

We all believe that Mary is that person.  She is currently working at the Sycamore Public Library as their Business Manager and will continue to do so as our position is only part-time.   Mary has been working at our Library for the past two months with Linda and the other librarians to become familiar with our system.   She has been doing great and brings enthusiasm to the job.

I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of my role in the running of the Kirkland Public Library.  That includes the Library Board of Trustees, the staff who work with me now and over the past years, the personnel at the Village of Kirkland, our patrons, the entire community, and most of all my family.  I thought I was done working 16 years ago when I retired from a “real” job; however, when the opportunity came to be involved with the Library, I couldn’t pass it up.

We are not leaving the Village and I certainly will continue to be involved in the community playing an active role in the Kirkland Historical Society, the Chamber of Commerce, and Christmas in Kirkland, plus supporting others in their roles as well.

Most importantly, I will always be a life member of the Kirkland Public Library and one of their most passionate supporters!  Many thanks to everyone and don’t be surprised if you see me filling in for a few hours here and there.  

With great appreciation,

Linda Fett

The Library is committed to staff and patron health and safety and is taking precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19. All staff and patrons over the age of two are required to wear a face covering which completely
covers their nose and mouth in all indoor public areas of the Library at all times. Face coverings must also be worn in outdoor public areas of the Library when social distancing is not possible.
Acceptable face coverings include disposable masks, cloth masks, neck gaiters, scarves, bandanas, or religious face coverings. Mesh masks, masks with openings, holes, visible gaps in the material, vents, or valves designed to facilitate easy exhaling are unacceptable and their use will not be
considered adherence to this policy.
Patrons must maintain a six foot distance from anyone not in their household while in the Library.
Patrons who are unable to wear a mask due to a pre-existing medical condition are encouraged to use the Library’s curbside services. Additional reasonable accommodations such as personalized reader’s advisory services, online resources, or homebound delivery are available to those who are medically prevented from, or decline to wear a face covering. Any accommodation request must be submitted in writing to the Director, who will make a determination on that request.
Patrons who refuse to wear a face covering and/or to maintain six-foot distance will be asked to leave the library. Patrons who violate this policy, are also in violation of the Library’s Code of Conduct and are subject to restriction or termination of Library privileges and possible exclusion
from the Library.

The Kirkland Public Library Board of Trustees will now meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

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 holidays.   During holidays 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. 

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.