Talcott Free Library offers services beyond the shelves

Behind Talcott Free Library is a dedicated team of 15 staff members who uphold its tradition of friendly, helpful service, along with a Board of Trustees who work closely with Library Director Megan Gove.

With the 2025 election, new Trustees were sworn in in May and immediately went to work.

The current Board of Trustees consists of Officers: President Gary Kovanda, Vice President Bob Geddeis, Secretary Hilaree Lombardo, and Treasurer Mary Katherine Lindt, along with Trustees Dan Garlow, Terrie Garlow, and Nadine Kelley.

This April, Kovanda was reelected after serving many years as Board President. Lindt, Lombardo, and Kelley were elected for the first time.
Geddeis and the Garlows each have remaining terms.

New trustees, whether elected or appointed to fill a vacancy, receive a comprehensive orientation conducted by the library’s director, covering the library’s governance structure, policies, strategic plan, key staff introductions, and more broadly, the State of Illinois’ statutes governing libraries.

Gove said, “Remaining board members would have received the same information when they joined the board. Training is always available to board members at any time.”

Following the board’s approval of the latest strategic plan, staff will begin crafting an activity plan to support it through the next three years.

“The last strategic plan was in 2018. It is recommended that libraries update strategic plans every three to five years,” Gove said.

She added, “The strategic planning meetings held by the staff and the board focused largely on the answers to the survey that was offered to the public, plus the surveys that were given to the staff and the board.”

Talcott Library offers services beyond books.

Newspapers that are available at the library include The Rockford Register Star, The Herald, Beloit Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, and have had the Chicago Tribune.

“RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System) has done this, and the Chicago Tribune is so expensive, especially for public libraries. The Wall Street Journal isn't nearly as expensive,” Gove said.

The Tribune will be accessible from home.

Residents of the Talcott Library District qualify for a free Library card. How does this affect those who live in outside areas?

To determine how much to charge a non-resident, Talcott multiplies the property's net taxable value (as shown on the applicant's tax bill) by the library's current tax rate. Renters have a separate calculation of 15% of their monthly rent.

Regardless of where you live, obtaining a library card requires a photo ID and a piece of mail received at your current address to verify residency.

Gove used an example at a recent meeting: “If Shirland Township, which has no library, wanted to use the library, they would have to vote to pay taxes to Talcott to become part of our library district.”

Currently, the library charges for an estimated five non-resident cards, which expire after one year. No one is allowed to use two separate library cards.

Talcott Free Library is one of the members of the PrairieCat Consortium. Any member of PrairieCat can use any other library within the consortium as if it were their own, as long as they have a current library card from their home library. This means items can be checked out, placed on hold, picked up, and returned at any PrairieCat library.

Fun and education go hand in hand in the library.

Computers are available for limited time use.

Summer reading programs, Toddler Time, and Story Hours remain popular hot spots for young ones.

Teen activities are also plentiful throughout the year. The Teen Advisory Board helps shape teen library services and programs. They also review books, suggest purchase materials, plan events, and assist with library programs for teens and children.
These teens volunteer and can earn community service hours while making their voices heard by the library.

At Christmastime, many families give a unique gift through the Adopt A Book program.

Friends of Talcott Library continuously show support in different ways. They hold occasional book sales as one way of giving back.

Adults who love to read are invited to a monthly book club on the first Tuesday or the second Monday of each month at 1 pm

Develop new skills in a knitting and crocheting circle at Talcott Free Yarns on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6 pm. Check the library's website for specific times, dates, and information on upcoming events.

One of the changes made in the library is that there are no more books on tape or children's magazines in circulation. The library stopped charging to check out DVDs after COVID.

The library board meets on the third Monday of every month at 7 pm, in the Keefer Room. Public comments will be heard at a set time at the beginning of each meeting. All are invited to come to the meeting and sign up on the provided sheet before the meeting. Another option to submit comments is to send an email to board@talcottfreelibrary.com.

Talcott Library services reach far beyond the shelves where books offer a whole new world of exploration!