Patrons eligible for discounts and incentives at more than 40 Illinois attractions

The LLCC Library has joined Explore More Illinois, a cultural pass program that provides discounts and incentives at museums, historical societies, performing and visual arts centers, and other attractions across the state. Offerings include free or reduced admission, free parking, discounts at attraction shops and more.

The program is free for LLCC students, employees and community members by visiting the LLCC Explore More Illinois webpage. An LLCC ID number or library user ID is required to view and reserve offerings. Community members who wish to obtain a user ID may visit the LLCC Library or find an application at library.llcc.edu under the “Services” tab.

For those who participate, the LLCC Library is offering a free dessert at Bistro Verde, the college’s culinary café run by students. Bistro Verde is open this fall through Nov. 17 and will reopen during the spring semester.

There are more than 40 participating attractions including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Chicago’s Children’s Museum and American Writers Museum and Discovery Center Museum in Rockford, with new attractions added regularly.

Explore More Illinois is a service of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), funded by a grant from the Illinois State Library through the Office of Secretary of State Jesse White.

More information is available by contacting the LLCC Library at 217-786-2354 or emailing circ@llcc.edu.

Congratulations to Scott Ebbing and Katrina Quattlander for their promotions in the LLCC Library.

Scott is now library systems and data manager. He holds a master’s degree in library and information science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has worked in the LLCC Library for  15 years.

Katrina is now coordinator, library circulation and engagement. She holds a master’s degree in library and information science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has worked in the LLCC Library for three years.

Photo: (seated) Tammy Kuhn-Schnell, dean of the LLCC Library; and Dr. Charlotte Warren, LLCC president; accept the donation of a Portable InfoLoop device from members of the Sertoma Club of Springfield (back) Greg Lueken, president; Bob Griffith, board chair; Mark Hanson and Rick Griminger, board members; Susan Allen, program vice president; and Cheryl Pence, secretary.

The Sertoma Club of Springfield yesterday donated a Portable InfoLoop device to the LLCC Library to assist students with hearing loss.

The device amplifies conversations while reducing background noise and is self-contained to keep conversations private. The InfoLoop is compatible with cochlear implants and hearing aids that have t-coils and includes a special headset.

Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC, tried the device and was impressed with its capability to amplify voices of people, even those wearing a mask. She commented, “We are so appreciative to the Sertoma Club for giving us this useful tool to assist our hearing-impaired students and staff.”

Dr. Warren also noted that she worked closely with hearing impaired students while researching and writing her doctoral dissertation, and assisting them is close to her heart.

Tammy Kuhn-Schnell, dean of the LLCC Library, said, “We are excited to receive the Portable InfoLoop so students and patrons with hearing impairments can receive the best service possible from circulation staff or reference librarians. The device is small and portable and can be used for conversations at the library service desks or for other conversations in the library.

“Hearing impaired students will recognize an informational symbol on the library’s main door and know that an InfoLoop device is available onsite for use,” she added. “The LLCC Library is a welcoming, inclusive place where students can discover, grow and learn, and the Portable InfoLoop will help the library serve more LLCC students.”

The donation is part of a national effort by Sertoma to mark Better Hearing and Speech Month in May. This year, clubs across the country have selected libraries as the beneficiaries.

The Sertoma Club of Springfield has long had a focus on assisting those with hearing impairments. The club has provided assistive listening devices (ALDs) for various community venues including the Hoogland Center for the Arts, the Legacy Theatre, Lincoln Library and the Old State Capitol. The club also provides scholarships for area students planning careers in communication sciences and disorders and offers a program to assist low-income seniors in obtaining hearing aids.

More information on the Sertoma Club of Springfield is available from Greg Lueken, club president, at gafl4@hotmail.com. For more information on LLCC Library services, visit www.llcc.edu/library.

What better way to wrap up National Library Week than with candy? Stop by the library reference desk or library circulation desk and grab a piece or two as our way of saying, “Thank you!” 

Over the lunch hour, pop by and be soothed by the tranquil sounds of our very own LLCC piano students playing classical study music. 

Remember, it’s not too late to complete our library scavenger hunt. You can pick up forms at the library circulation desk. Return completed forms to be entered into a drawing for all participants to win a Hydro Flask!  

Did You Know?

The LLCC Library is fine free! We do not have daily late fees. Return your library materials at your earliest convenience without the stress of incurring library fines.  

Cute kiddos from the LLCC Child Development Center will visit the LLCC Library during the morning for a fun story time! You may even spot the kiddos dressed up as their favorite literary characters while on a mini parade throughout the library (weather dependent).

Did You Know?

The LLCC Library provides cell phone chargers, laptops and calculators to students and staff for daily use. Pop by the library circulation desk to learn more!  

Edible Books Festival winners announced

Lindee Hall Pratt, curriculum specialist, won first place for her entry “Pigs in the Mud” in yesterday’s Edible Books Festival sponsored by the LLCC Library. Second place went to Jamie McCoy, workforce development and health care continuing education coordinator, for “The Handmaid’s Tale.” See photos of other entries on the LLCC Facebook page.

Connect & Chill @ LLCC Library

Stop by and familiarize yourself with all the different ways you can connect to the library — through our resources, technology options, seating options and library staff.

Rediscover the library as a place to chill and hangout. Contribute to our giant adult coloring page, work on our community puzzle, grab a buddy and play a game of chess, or simply kick up your feet on one of our couches and study or zone out for a bit. Students: Stop by the circulation desk to pick up your free anti-stress kit while supplies last. 

Did You Know?

LLCC Library students and employees can request print book titles or electronic article titles freely via the InterLibrary Loan program. This is a completely free service and there is no limit to the number of titles a person can request.

Today is the Edible Books Festival! Pop by the library from 11 a.m.-noon to check out the amazing edible creations LLCC employees and students made and to vote for your two favorite “edible books.” At noon, with the help of Linc, the LLCC Mascot, we will announce the two winners, pass out awards and eat the “books.”

Did You Know?

LLCC students are automatically given a $3.00 printing credit each semester to off-set printing costs. Simply log in and print from any of the LLCC Library computers. If a student uses all of the allotment, then they will be required to pay to print.

The LLCC Library wants to celebrate the kickoff to National Library Week with you. Pop by and grab a free donut and cup of coffee (or tea) all day — while supplies last!

Grab a sheet of clues at the circulation desk to play our “Linc in the Library” scavenger hunt. Return completed forms to the circulation desk anytime throughout the week to receive a small prize and be entered into a drawing for a HydroFlask. The winner will be chosen on Friday, April 8.  

Did You Know?

An LLCC picture ID card is no longer needed to borrow materials from LLCC Library! Just bring yourself. That’s all you need!  

Connect with the LLCC Library by celebrating National Library Week, April 4-8. Here’s a brief look at LLCC Library’s upcoming schedule of events. Be on the lookout for daily reminders of the day’s events and further details. We can’t wait for you to share in the festivities! 

• Monday, April 4 — Free Donuts & Coffee: National Library Week Kickoff
• Tuesday, April 5 — Edible Book Festival @ LLCC Library, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 6 — Connect & Chill @ LLCC Library
• Thursday, April 7 — Storytime with the LLCC Child Development Center
• Friday, April 8 — Wrap-Up: Lunch Hour Classical Piano & Free Candy