(relaxing music) (relaxing music continues) (people chattering) - A big group squish.

I think the library is a really interesting institution because there are not too many institutions that are truly for the entire community.

- Oh, a chapter book.

- With your hands.

(people clap) If you're happy and you know, clap your hands.

(people clap) I think the biggest misconception is that the library is the place that holds the books.

We are a place for information, and that information can be in many forms.

That can be in books.

That can also be in the programs that we share.

But it can also be in the communities that we help build.

(people chattering) We offer so many things.

Some of the basics that I think everybody thinks of are story times for the little ones.

I like to do tail claps.

Book clubs for adults.

We have a lot of craft programs.

Lately, we've been more fitness programs such as yoga and Zumba.

We've also got a number of author visits that are coming in this next year that we're very excited about.

And we have some non-traditional programs or what I consider non-traditional programs.

We have a support group for neurodivergent adults.

- We actually have a museum area downstairs for artists to display their things.

We have local history and genealogy.

- For your family member, these are the city directories, and they're alphabetical by last name.

- Another thing that we offer is job resources, continuing education resources like GED, resume help.

And we can point you to different resources that we have in that regard.

I teach classes on AI.

I teach classes on computer basics.

We have groups of people playing "Dungeons and Dragons" a few times a month.

- We're starting to do more programming for non-English language speakers and for our homeless population as well.

We are hoping to reach people that were not otherwise getting the services that they needed.

The library is for everybody, and so a lot of people can come to the library and use the resources that are there, but if you can't, we're still gonna do what we can to bring the library to wherever you are.

- [Student 1] I wanna see, is this a new one?

- [Student 2] This is a new one.

- [Student 1] It is!

Oh my gosh!

(people chattering) - We are doing a pop-up library for Whittier School today.

So our outreach staff curates a collection of books and then brings them into the school and teachers bring down individual classes, and then the students who have their cards are able to choose a book.

(people chattering) I really do like seeing the kids.

They just get so excited.

They show their friends like, "Look at this one."

"Oh, you're getting that one, that one's fun," you know?

And so just having that chance that they get to have whatever choice they want.

- Peoria Public Library reference services, how can I help you?

I think the library is good for the community for several reasons.

It's a place where people can feel safe.

It's a place where people can get either warm or cool.

It's a place where we offer, you know, computers they can use.

Equipment like that.

We've got wifi.

And it's a place where it's kind of comfortable to be.

It's an easy atmosphere to be in.

- The library is a great place to go and encounter people, and if you're a person who doesn't necessarily want to join in a group activity, but you still want to be with other people, you know, it's a great place to just come and sit and grab a book.

- Monday at two o'clock, lower level two computer lab.

- [Visitor] Thank you.

- I've always loved helping people.

When I'm helping somebody here apply for a job, you know, they don't know what they're doing when they come in.

And as a librarian I can help them along the way.

I can get them applied for the job.

I can get them signed up for courses.

I can get them signed up for classes.

And they'll come back in and say, "I've got a job.

I've got a place to stay now.

I've got stable income.

Thank you so much."

And that's the most rewarding thing is being able to see someone from A to Z. And that's the best part about working at the library.

You can change lives.

(gentle music) I think it cannot be understated that the public knows that they have a place provided by the city that connects with them, that they can consider like their friends.

I know many, many patrons on a first name basis and they come in, they ask how I'm doing, I find out how they're doing and, you know, it's kind of a thing where you develop relationships.

- I have patrons who will tell me that this is their respite.

That this is where they feel they have community, where they feel understood.

And that means a lot to me that we have a space where people feel safe, and they feel like they have a place that welcomes them.

I really want to help our patrons find information, find the help that they need, and find the enjoyment of books.

My childhood and adulthood even now is so much richer because of the stories that I read, and I want other people to experience that as well.