Getting your library card - A district library card is free to any resident or non-resident property owner of Hoopeston, Rossville, East Lynn, Wellington, Cheneyville, Rankin and Alvin. To obtain a card, you will need a valid photo ID, proof of current address (utility or phone bill preferably), and a local reference. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with a valid library card in order for their child to obtain a library card. For those who live outside of our district, non- resident cards are available for a yearly fee of $60 for the entire household.
OUR COLLECTION - Books for all ages, magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, and DVD movies are available for checkout with a valid library card. Materials that we do not own are available through the Illinois Heartland Library System and beyond. Most items can be checked out for two weeks.
ARCHIVES - The library’s Illinois Room contains a wide range of historical documents, photos, city directories and school yearbooks from the Hoopeston area. Microfilm of Hoopeston newspapers from 1872 to the present are available for viewing and copying. The archive staff are available in person on Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment. The staff at the Hoopeston Public Library are able to search and retrieve information stored in the archives via phone or email request. If the search and retrieval can be completed within two hours, no fee is assessed; however, a donation for the time spent is appreciated. If the research exceeds two hours, a $10.00 per hour fee is charged to cover staff time. Once payment is received, information will be sent.
PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS and WiFi – Public computers with Internet access are available for both youth and adults. An agreement signed by a parent or legal guardian is required for youth in grades 6 through 12 to use a computer independently. Children in grades 5 and below may use the internet with parental supervision only. Free Wi-Fi service is available throughout the library building during business hours.
ONLINE SERVICES - Patrons can browse the online catalog and reserve materials from Hoopeston Public Library and the Illinois Heartland Library System by clicking the POLARIS SHARE link on this website or through the SHARE app. Thousands of e-books, audiobooks and magazines are available to borrow free of charge via Libby and Cloud Library with a valid library card.
MEETING ROOMS - The Community Meeting Room and the Board Room are available at no charge for literacy tutors and not-for-profit groups. Private rentals are available for a small fee. Contact the Director for details or scheduling.
HOME DELIVERY - Home delivery services are offered to HPL patrons who have physical conditions that limit their mobility, live within the city limits of Hoopeston, and have no caretaker or family member to assist them with library services. The service is also offered to residents of Autumn Fields and Heritage Health. People interested in this service may contact the library.
BOOK CLUB - Mary Hartwell Catherwood, the first fiction writer of note associated with Illinois, was the most well-known author at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. She was the first American woman to write popular romantic historical novels, producing more than 30 books plus many short stories. She founded Hoopeston Public Library Mary Hartwell Catherwood Book Club, which is still in existence. The Mary Hartwell Catherwood Reading Group meets the first Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at the library. This group is open to the public. If interested, please contact the library.
OTHER SERVICES
Photocopying/Faxing/Emailing are available at the library. Black & white: 15 cents per page;
Color: 35 cents per page. Fax: $1.00 per page to send; 50 cents per page to receive. Toll free
numbers and emails are no charge.