Shorewood-Troy Public Library
Accessible Services
Shorewood-Troy Public Library
Amount Awarded: $40,000 | Project Status: Completed Summer 2023
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library is a proud recipient of the $40,000 ARPA Grant funded by Will County, Illinois. With these funds, the library installed two community book drops and four new and improved self-checkout stations and purchased hundreds of digital materials, including e-books and e-audiobooks. These installments will have a profound impact on how community members can access, interact with, and ultimately find our library.
Community Book Drops
With the library central to the two new book drops at Troy Township and Timbers of Shorewood, we can now provide convenient access spanning the Shorewood area. This is especially important for those who may have difficulty traveling. The book drops also serve spectacularly by providing library exposure. We predict their presence in the community will help promote the library and draw more people in through the doors – a goal always a top priority.
Self-Checkout Stations
The library also has four self-checkout stations that do much more than just check out books. These compact but mighty machines allow users to search the catalog, place items on hold, register for programs, reserve a room, get a library card, and access their account, all in one place. The devices are self-guided, allowing users an easy, approachable way to interact with parts of the library they may not otherwise.
“We are so grateful to Will County for providing the grant funds to replace this technology. The new self-serve kiosks elevate the library experience. Now, with just a quick tap, patrons see personalized book recommendations based on their reading history, which helps our circulation immensely.”
Tom Novinski | President, Shorewood-Troy Library Board
Digital Material
Over the past few years, there has been a significant surge in the popularity of digital materials. Patrons are increasingly favoring and borrowing audiobooks and e-books, making it challenging for us to keep up with the demand. However, thanks to the ARPA grant funds, our e-library now offers a fresh and diverse selection of choices for all readers. More importantly, patrons can now search, borrow, and read on demand. This feature is particularly beneficial for readers who are unable to visit the library. We are constantly exploring ways to expand our reach, and the acquisition of these materials directly supports that objective.