Where is the library?
The library is located at 201 East Merchant Street in
downtown Kankakee. It is the first three floors of the
Executive Centre. For a map,
click here.
What are the library's hours?
Click here for library
hours and holiday closings.
Who is eligible to get a library card?
Any resident of the City of Kankakee is eligible to get a
library card. Proof of address is required before getting the
card. A Kankakee postal address
is not necessarily inside the city limits of Kankakee.
Individuals who reside in an area not served by a public
library, but do pay property taxes on land owned within the city
limits can get a free card by presenting a current property tax
receipt . Individuals living outside the Kankakee city limits,
who do not own city property, and who do not reside in a library
serviced area, can buy a card for one year for $100.00.
Aren't public libraries free?
Why can't I get a free card?
Many of the programs and services we offer are free to
everyone. These programs are Internet services, periodical and
book browsing, reference and readers' advisory services. You
must have a library card to check-out materials. The Kankakee
Public Library is paid for by the property tax dollars of the
citizens of the City of Kankakee. Persons living outside the
city limits pay nothing to our library. A common misconception
is that persons who pay taxes to school district 111 should be
able to get a library card for free. The Kankakee Public
Library gets no income from district 111, so those in district
111 living outside the city limits must still pay for a card.
I have a card from another public library. May I use it in
your library?
Yes. Any holder of a card from a public library recognized
by the Illinois State Library may checkout materials. Libraries
around the state have agreed to reciprocal borrowing policies
that makes this possible.
When will my library card expire?
A Kankakee Public Library card issued to a patron who
resides within the Kankakee city limits is valid for 2 years.
Library cards for non-residents are valid for 1 year. When your
library card expires, keep it and it will be renewed. If you
lose your card, report it to the Circulation Department
immediately to prevent unauthorized use. Each replacement card
is $3.00.
How long may I borrow
materials?
Most books and periodicals can be checked-out for 2
weeks. CDs, Videos, DVDs and other Audio-Visual materials are
checked out for 1 week. Reference, most Genealogy, and the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Collections can not be checked-out.
How can I find out if the
library owns a particular item?
You may call the library and we will be happy to look the
item up for you. Also, you may go directly to the
iBistro online
catalog and look for materials yourself. iBistro allows
users to look for items in the Kankakee Public Library, Kankakee
area libraries, and libraries throughout the Heritage Trail
Library System. Patrons can
also renew items in iBistro and check the status of their
account.
How many items may I check out
at one time?
We ask that our patrons use their good judgment when
checking out print materials. There is a general limit of 4
non-fiction items per subject. Some restrictions may be placed
on high demand materials.
How may I renew my materials?
Materials may be renewed in person, over the telephone by
calling 937-6901, or in
iBistro.
What if my materials are late?
Return them, and/or contact the Library as soon as possible.
The book return in front of the library's main entrance is
opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When materials are
seriously overdue (more than three weeks) replacement and
processing charges are added, and your account may be sent to a
collection agency. Once materials are returned, overdue fines
stop accumulating. We do have a two day grace period on print
materials. Currently fines are 10¢ per day for books, and $1.25
per day for videos/DVDs. Patrons with fines over $1.00 are not
allowed to check-out materials until the fines are paid.
Is there an outdoor book return?
There is an outdoor book return in the parking lot of the
library. This is available only for print items. CDs, DVDs,
VHS, and other Audio-Visual material should be returned at the
Circulation Desk during regular library hours.
What if the material is damaged or lost?
Contact the Library as soon as possible. In most cases, you
will be charged for the lost or damaged material as well as a
processing fee which covers the costs to order, cover, catalog,
and generally prepare a new copy for our collection.
Does the library have internet access? What are the rules?
Check our
Internet Policy page on our main site for more information.
How can I find out about
library programs?
Many events are noted in the Daily Journal. All programs
are advertised in the library well in advance of the event.
This web site will also note any upcoming programs.
Click here to
check the news page, or
check the calendar of events on our full sized Internet site.
Does the library have past issues of the Daily Journal?
Yes. The library collects the Daily Journal for 4 months on
paper. After that, it is transferred to microfilm. The library
has a collection of the Daily Journal and its predecessor papers
spanning from the 1850's to the present on microfilm .
Will library staff look for obituary notices for me?
Yes. We prefer that local patrons come to the library where
staff will be happy to help them do their own research.
However, homebound or long distance patrons can request an
obituary search by requesting one via the
Ask a Question page on our full sized site. Be sure to give as much specific
information as possible. We must have at least the year and
month of death to do a search. We can not search more than 3
names per request.
Can the library help me find other information?
Yes. The Kankakee Public Library has a Reference Department
to answer patron's questions. We are happy to render homework
help, research assistance, or to simply satisfy curiosity. You
can call the Reference department at 939-4564 or ask a question
online by going to the
Ask a Question page on our full sized site.
What is available for
children?
We are proud to have a fully staffed Youth Services
Department with a collection of over 30,000 books for children,
ten computers (6 with age appropriate software, plus four with
iBistro and report writing software), and subscriptions to over
twenty youth magazines. This lively department, designed around
a Kankakee River theme, hosts seasonal programs throughout the
year for children of all ages. Children's Book Clubs include
"Bookworm Bunch"( ages 5-8) and the League of Lions (ages
9-12). For more information about Children's Events call
937-6960
What is available for teens?
The "Teen Zone," located near our Coffee Bar, offers an
inviting place for Young Adults to study, read, or check-out the
latest books, magazines, and computer games geared to teens.
This expanding area of service now features a monthly book club
for readers age 13-18, "The Rowdy Readers" and monthly programs
running, from September to May, and activities for teens. For
more information about Teen events call 928-7792.
Does the library comply with ADA?
We are proud to say that the Kankakee Public Library is
compliant with all ADA requirements.
I've got another question about the library. Where may I ask
it it?
You can ask more questions by calling the library 939-4564
or by filling out the
Ask a Question form online on our full sized site.
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