The Homer Library will be raising the fee for non-resident library cards beginning July 1, 2014. We would like to give our current non-resident patrons a break on the cost. If you renew your membership before July 1st, you can do so at the present rate of $35, and we will extend your membership for a full year from your current expiration date. After July 1, 2014, the non-resident fee will increase to $37.00. This increase is being made to keep up with rising costs, and to equalize non-resident fees with fees that residents pay through their property tax bills.
If you live inside the Homer Village limits, you pay property taxes that support the library. If you are a resident and don’t have a library card, why not? You are already paying for the same benefits that our paid non-resident card holders receive.
For the most part, the Homer Community Library is supported by the real estate taxes of property owners who live within the boundries of the Village of Homer. However, we are considered to be the designated library for everyone within the Homer School District who does not pay taxes to another library. Paid memberships are required of patrons living in Homer Township (outside the Village limits) and for those families living in Allerton, Broadlands, and Longview. If you live in Vance Township or in the Sidell Library limits check with those libraries to see if you are eligible for a card from them – you may be paying taxes to support one of those libraries. If you do have a library card from another area library you can still use the Homer library as a reciprocal borrower.
For others whom the Homer Community Library is their designated library, a small membership fee is required if they wish to borrow items from the Library. This fee is calculated by determining the average tax that a property owner in Homer pays for library privileges, currently $37.00 a year. The fee covers all family members living under the same roof.
For less than the cost of a restaurant meal, or the price of two books, your Homer Library Card will provide you with access to more than 24,000 items which you can borrow—or enjoy at the Library. These items include over 2400 movies, many current magazines, the use of 5 desktop and 2 laptop computers, audio books, large print volumes, 21,500 plus books, hundreds of CDs, and reference works along with Mango – an on-line language learning program with over 40 languages to choose from. Also, as a member of the Homer Community Library, you’ll gain access to the Illinois Heartland Libraries System, enabling you to borrow from dozens of regional libraries.
Whether you are a resident or a non-resident we hope you will take advantage of the great benefits the library has to offer. We’d be happy to give you a tour of our collection – just come on in during open library hours. The Homer Community Library is open Mon., Tues., Thur., & Fri. from 2-7pm; Weds. 9am-2pm; and Sat. 10am-2pm. If you’d like more information call us at 217-896-2121 or email us at homerlibrarian@gmail.com.
