week 7: Peoria Public Library

I think the public library is easily one of the most underrated resources in a given city.

First of all: BOOKS. FOR FREE. I remember being in elementary school and thinking books were the best thing ever. The Book Fair was by far one of the most exciting days of the school year. And libraries have them FOR FREE! I mean, you have to return them, but still!

Aside from the plethora of books, libraries typically also provide a range of programs. Between the main location for the Peoria Public Library, the North Branch, the Lakeview Branch, the McClure Branch, and the Lincoln Branch, the PPL system provides something for everyone. That’s right, there are a total of FIVE locations AND a bookmobile.

So last Friday, it was cold outside and I actually had a cold myself and I really didn’t feel like doing something that required a lot of physical work.

Well, on the second Friday of every month, the Peoria Public Library has a Film Club. It’s basically old musicals… and I love musicals. I drove over to the Main Branch downtown and parked in the little parking lot, which is metered. (Metered parking spots bum me out.) And then I walked inside and wandered around for a bit.

It’s so nice! Whatever shortcomings Peoria may have, the public library is not one of them.

(BTW: This post is going to be a bit devoid of pictures because I really didn’t want to go around taking pictures of people while they’re studying and trying to be serious and all.)

The Main Branch is three stories, with two basement levels as well. There are flat-screen TVs near the entrance to let you know about different programs being offered throughout all the branches in the coming weeks. The first floor has shelves and shelves of books with random tables and little sections of reading chairs, like most libraries. There’s also a “lounge” set up sorta like a cafe, except with coffee and snack machines instead of snooty baristas. Each floor of the library has plenty of rooms on the perimeter for group meetings.

For some reason, I thought the movie was being shown on the second floor. But when I went up there, it was really just lots and lots of computers and references. If computer access is tough for you, THE PPL IS THE PLACE TO GO. The second floor also has a closed off lounge area, sans coffee and sans snacks, but with a nice view.

The librarian let me know that the movie was being shown in the second basement level, and she looks a teeny tiny bit confused when I asked her. Probably because I’m 30 and not retired. I really did expect to be watching this movie with a horde of retirees. But it turned out to be just me, a librarian, and two older people.

I sat down in a chair at a long table and immediately regretted that I didn’t bring some knitting or something to do while watching the movie. (That wasn’t even sarcastic. I really do like knitting.)

We watched Hair. I had never seen this movie, and to be honest I was slightly disappointed because I thought we were going to watch Hairspray. I won’t do a movie review, because you can just go read rotten tomatoes or the wikipedia page or something.

After the movie, I walked back up the main level and went over to the information desk. They had hand-outs that detailed all the activities being offered for February and for March. The activities were organized by age groups, starting with toddlers and going up to “mature readers” (aka senior citizens).

I had seen on the PPL calendar that they offer crafts-to-go and in the month of February, they offered what they called a Valentine’s Bitty Box. I shyly asked for a Bitty Box, my heart pounding in my chest. Why was I so nervous? Because the website said that kids can pick these up at the info desk.. and I’m not a kid. And I don’t even have a kid. But they gave me one of each. To assuage my guilt for taking one of each when I don’t have children at home, I’ll give them to my friend’s kid.

The Valentine’s Bitty Box with a little toy, a stamp, a tic-tac-toe activity, a kit to make your own candy necklace, a pretty paper to make one of those “fortune teller” things, and paper and stickers to make some valentines.

Anyway, crafts-to-go are just that: little packets with all the supplies and instructions for a craft you can take home to complete. The Bitty Box contained Valentine’s Day themed cards, toys, and crafts, also to be completed at home. I mean, come on! The PPL is giving away crafts. That means you don’t have to go all the way to Hobby Lobby or some craft store, you don’t have to sit there cutting pieces of felt or foam or paper, you don’t have to spend a bunch of time on Pinterest trying to figure out if a craft is actually do-able or if it’s just gonna make you feel bad. You just have to drive over to the library and pick up a little packet.

February craft-to-go. A little package that contains instructions and materials for a craft, minus any glue you may need.

Basically, when I have a kid, we’re going to be spending as much time at the library as possible. Because sometimes, they even do a kids movie night and you can bring blankets and come in your pajamas and bring your own snacks.

So the PPL is really cool for toddlers and old people and everyone in between. And in the winter months in central Illinois, having an indoor place to go hang out seems like a good idea.