Normal Public Library

Jason Sommer published Shmuel's Bridge: Following the Tracks to Auschwitz with My Survivor Father in 2022.

Banned Books Week is an annual event that usually occurs in the last week of September to highlight books that have been the subject of censorship attempts. This year's observance runs from Oct. 1-7.

The Normal Public Library board has taken the next step in the project to remove asbestos from the library. Workers discovered asbestos fireproofing flaking off structural beams in 2020 during a bathroom renovation.

It will be expensive to remove asbestos from the Normal Public Library. Estimates range from $3.5 million to more than $5 million if other improvements are done at the same time.

The Bloomington and Normal public libraries have interactive activities lined up for kids celebrating Black History Month. WGLT took a trip across town to check them out and chat with the librarians who thought up two of the fun and educational programs.

John Fischer has served as interim director since June, following Brian Chase’s departure.

The Normal Public Library is trying to decide what to do about asbestos in the old section of the building. Interim Director John Fischer said there are several options, including temporarily moving part of the library and its programs to another site while work to remove the asbestos is done.

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.

Chicago-based journalist Catalina Maria Johnson will use music illustrations as a way of understanding the history, roots, and concerns of Latinos in this land when she appears at the Normal Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 6.

For the first time in more than 14 years, the Normal Public library is in need of a new director. That’s because Brian Chase is stepping away from the role effective on Thursday.