Libraries

It takes a beloved or significant figure in the history of an institution to name a building after that person. Illinois State University ended up naming two libraries for Angeline Vernon Milner.

Gov. JB Pritzker noted the program previously served about 4% of the state’s early childhood population through various community organizations before the state enabled an expansion by giving $1.6 million to the program.

Each of the state’s 28 prisons will receive $15,000 for books, magazines and other supplies, the first time they’ve received public funding of any kind in six years.

The Illinois House passed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit libraries from banning books or other material because of partisan or doctrinal pressure, prompting strong opposition from Republicans who called it an assault on local control.

Public library circulation in Bloomington-Normal has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the mix of items circulated has shifted significantly, and online access is far more popular than before COVID.

An advocate for public libraries says the new features included in the Bloomington Public Library's planned expansion fit the concept of a modern library.

Holly Eberle is a teen librarian who recognizes the power of books. She says parents should talk to their kids about difficult topics rather than trying to ban certain books altogether.

Libraries across the country are ditching overdue fees after finding that the penalties drive away the people who stand to benefit the most from free…