The Library will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.
Summer Hours begin May 31 - we will close at 6:00 pm Mon.-Thurs.
The other hours remain the same.
Summer Hours begin May 31 - we will close at 6:00 pm Mon.-Thurs.
The other hours remain the same.

Finding Library Materials
Clicking the "Search our Collection" button above will open a link to RSACat, our on-line Card Catalog.
After conducting a search, the results page will have 3 tabs:
The first shows only physical books, movies, etc. that are owned by Carthage Public Library.
If our copy is checked out, you may place a hold to be on the waiting list.
The second tab shows ebooks and eaudios that our patrons can download and includes titles from both ADML (Overdrive/Libby) and ereadIllinois (axis360).
The third tab shows items owned by all libraries in our consortia. If you place a hold, the item will come to us through InterLibray Loan.
You may still use the filters on the left to limit your search (such as include only movies or exclude movies)
Clicking the "Search our Collection" button above will open a link to RSACat, our on-line Card Catalog.
After conducting a search, the results page will have 3 tabs:
The first shows only physical books, movies, etc. that are owned by Carthage Public Library.
If our copy is checked out, you may place a hold to be on the waiting list.
The second tab shows ebooks and eaudios that our patrons can download and includes titles from both ADML (Overdrive/Libby) and ereadIllinois (axis360).
The third tab shows items owned by all libraries in our consortia. If you place a hold, the item will come to us through InterLibray Loan.
You may still use the filters on the left to limit your search (such as include only movies or exclude movies)

Download the RSAcat Mobile App from your app store.
Log in with your library barcode number and PIN. (Contact the library if you don't know your PIN)
View your account, search our collection and that of other libraries in our consortia, and place holds.
Log in with your library barcode number and PIN. (Contact the library if you don't know your PIN)
View your account, search our collection and that of other libraries in our consortia, and place holds.

SPRING INTO READING
April & May 2022 Independent Reading Challenge
For all ages
Read books with a Spring theme (gardening, rain, baby animals, a spring holiday, spring sports, etc., etc.)
Children in 4th grade & younger read 5 books & students in 5th grade & older & adults read 2 books to be entered in the prize drawing.
Click here for the entry form:
April & May 2022 Independent Reading Challenge
For all ages
Read books with a Spring theme (gardening, rain, baby animals, a spring holiday, spring sports, etc., etc.)
Children in 4th grade & younger read 5 books & students in 5th grade & older & adults read 2 books to be entered in the prize drawing.
Click here for the entry form:

spring_into_reading_april_2022.pdf | |
File Size: | 309 kb |
File Type: |
Haiku Poetry Contest Winners
1st Place: Fishing by Jack Squier
Line Pole Bait and Reel Fishing down by the river Water at my heals 3-way tie for 2nd Place: The Beach by Logan Shirey Wavy Summer Fun Splashing surfing all day long Sandy Paradise |
3-way tie for 2nd Place: Nature by Luke Biery
Birds chirp in the sky Flowers bloom in the sunshine Trees sway in the wind Northern Lights by Karen Weirather Eyes to the night sky Glowing colors dance about Her name, Aurora |
Bookmark Design Contest Winners
Many thanks to the 102 people who submitted a design!
Stop in to pick up a copy of your favorite bookmark.
Judging was quite difficult! For each age group we selected 1 winner to receive $5 in Carthage cash - if there was a tie for 1st place, we drew names. We also made copies of the 2nd place bookmarks.
PreSchool: 30 entries, 3-way tie for first place. Ali Boley's name was drawn to win the prize.
1st & 2nd grade: 3 entries. Winner: Anna Carroll. (No entries from 3rd grade).
4th & 5th Grade: 18 entries. Winner: Calliann Robertson.
6th Grade: 37 entries. Winner: Nora DeSotel.
7th & 8th Grade: 11 entries. Winner: Anna Jabob.
Adults: 3 entries, tie for first place. Ruth Harris's name was drawn to win the prize.

Our dream of a new library building is moving closer to being fulfilled!
We hope to break ground in the Spring of 2022.
Construction funding and the grant have been secured. Fundraising efforts are still underway for new furnishings.
We hope to break ground in the Spring of 2022.
Construction funding and the grant have been secured. Fundraising efforts are still underway for new furnishings.
See the New Building Construction page of this website for more information about our project and the Library Foundation's page for more about our Capital Campaign and how you can help us Dare to Dream.
Advertisement for Bids & Pre-Bid Meeting
The attached Advertisement for Bids will be published in local papers the week of April 25: Hancock County Journal Pilot, Peoria Journal Star, Quincy Herald-Whig, and Burlington Hawkeye.
As stated in the ad, the bidding documents may be obtained electronically from City Blue Technologies.
A pre-bid meeting for interested contractors and sub-contractors will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 3 at the current Library building, 500 Wabash Ave., Carthage, IL.
The attached Advertisement for Bids will be published in local papers the week of April 25: Hancock County Journal Pilot, Peoria Journal Star, Quincy Herald-Whig, and Burlington Hawkeye.
As stated in the ad, the bidding documents may be obtained electronically from City Blue Technologies.
A pre-bid meeting for interested contractors and sub-contractors will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 3 at the current Library building, 500 Wabash Ave., Carthage, IL.

001113_ad_for_bids-21114-new_bldg.pdf | |
File Size: | 61 kb |
File Type: |
The Property Now Officially Belongs to the Library!!
Prairieland Investment Group, LLC donated the building site at First and Center Streets, on the NW corner of the CVS campus to the Library District. The deed to the property has now been legally transferred and recorded. Andy Bastert (Library Board Treasurer), Bill Hollis DVM & Doug Groth DVM (Prairieland Investment Group), John Dittmer (Library Board President), and Amy Gee (Library Director)
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The Library Building is open to the Public.
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We are following IDPH guidelines - wearing masks & social distancing
The public may browse & select materials to check out.
Our computers are available for public use, or you may use your own devices at our tables and work spaces.
Two Early Literacy i-pads are available for children to use, but children elementary age and younger must be supervised by an adult.
Curbside pickup of materials is still available.
Call or email to request books & other items & schedule a pickup time.
217-357-3232, cartlib@mtcnow.net
InterLibrary Loan Service is available!
The Library Building is open to the Public.
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We are following IDPH guidelines - wearing masks & social distancing
The public may browse & select materials to check out.
Our computers are available for public use, or you may use your own devices at our tables and work spaces.
Two Early Literacy i-pads are available for children to use, but children elementary age and younger must be supervised by an adult.
Curbside pickup of materials is still available.
Call or email to request books & other items & schedule a pickup time.
217-357-3232, cartlib@mtcnow.net
InterLibrary Loan Service is available!
Returning materials:
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Library Lines Newsletters -- If you would like to receive a copy of our monthly newsletter via email,
send your contact information to cartlib@mtcnow.net and we'll add you to our email list.
Download a copy here:
May 2022, April 2022, March 2022, February 2022, January 2022, December 2021, November 2021, October 2021, September 2021, August 2021, July 2021, May/June 2021, April 2021, March 2021,
Jan/Feb 2021
send your contact information to cartlib@mtcnow.net and we'll add you to our email list.
Download a copy here:
May 2022, April 2022, March 2022, February 2022, January 2022, December 2021, November 2021, October 2021, September 2021, August 2021, July 2021, May/June 2021, April 2021, March 2021,
Jan/Feb 2021
Search for ebooks and audios to check out and download.
Request a PIN from the Library and use it and your library card's barcode number
to log in to either ADML or eReadIllinois.
These ebooks and e-audios are also included in our Card Catalog, http://alsi.sdp.sirsi.net/client/en_US/CarthagePLD/
to log in to either ADML or eReadIllinois.
These ebooks and e-audios are also included in our Card Catalog, http://alsi.sdp.sirsi.net/client/en_US/CarthagePLD/
ADML: Alliance Digital Media Library
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eRead Illinois
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![]() This database features RAILS Community Collections and the Indie Illinois e-book collection, as well as resources for independent authors.
The content is available free to everyone in Illinois - no library card is required - through the Biblioboard app Inkie.org |

Carthage Public Library now subscribes to the Library Edition of Ancestry.
It may only be accessed within the Library. Search US Federal Census Records, Vital Records (births, marriages, deaths), Military Records and Immigration Records. Downloadable forms such as ancestral charts and family group sheets are available to print and the Learning Center has research aids, tips & tricks.
During Covid restrictions, ProQuest has graciously allowed access to our Ancestry Library Edition outside of the library for a limited time - this free remote access will end Dec. 31, 2021.
It may only be accessed within the Library. Search US Federal Census Records, Vital Records (births, marriages, deaths), Military Records and Immigration Records. Downloadable forms such as ancestral charts and family group sheets are available to print and the Learning Center has research aids, tips & tricks.
During Covid restrictions, ProQuest has graciously allowed access to our Ancestry Library Edition outside of the library for a limited time - this free remote access will end Dec. 31, 2021.
Introducing 4 more New Databases!
Available for all to use within the Library. 24/7 remote access for Carthage Library Patrons
Log in with your library card barcode number.
Available for all to use within the Library. 24/7 remote access for Carthage Library Patrons
Log in with your library card barcode number.
Recipes & cooking videos from throughout the USA. Also food history and trivia. Fun videos of food commercials from the past.
https://www.atozfoodamerica.com/?c=Uvx65GuwAI ![]()
Information about World History, cultures, languages, foods, religions, and more from 174 countries. Includes lesson plans. https://www.atozworldculture.com/?c=Uvx65GuwAI |
Comprehensive collection of royalty-free downloadable maps of all types: City, Country, & World Maps; topographic, Climate, Geology, and Ecology Maps; Historical Maps; Flags, and more. Also a GeoFindIt! Game.
www.atozmapsonline.com/?c=Uvx65GuwAI ![]()
Comprehensive travel guide providing practical information for travelers and students. Featuring 202 cities from around the world. City facts, maps, climate & weather, food, language, attractions & excursions, nightlife, shopping, and more. https://www.atozworldtravel.com/?c=Uvx65GuwAI |
![]() 24/7 access. For now, use "carthage" as the password. Soon, you will enter your library barcode number to access. It is also available for use by all within the library during our regular hours.
Prepare for standardized tests with eBooks, online courses, and full-length practice tests for GED, SAT, ACT, AP, PSAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, TOEFL, U.S. citizenship, and more in Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep. Research undergraduate and graduate programs, finding tuition assistance, and exploring and preparing for careers whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or searching for new opportunities. A variety of interactive methods prompt personalized career recommendations and insight on programs, knowledge, skills, and ability. Search for jobs and create visually interesting résumés, cover letters, and websites that can be externally shared with prospective employers, using prebuilt templates.
Click here or on image to start. ![]() Information and resources for job seekers and employers.
Free on-line course from Chicago PLD available to all: "Getting a Job using Illinois Worknet" |
![]() Gale Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Resource Center.
Provides expertise covering all aspects of starting and operating a business, including finance, management, marketing, human resources, franchising, accounting, and taxes. The database contains hundreds of sample business plans created by real-life entrepreneurs, award-winning eBooks, as well as content from over 300 business journals and magazines. Free for use by all within the library during our regular hours. 24/7 access. For now, use "carthage" as the password. Soon, you will enter your library barcode number to access. Click here or one image to open. Resource Guide pdf - Tips for using the Entrepreneurship Database. ![]() How to e-file court documents: www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/how-to-e-file/ or
https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/e-filing-basics Additional Statewide legal forms available from this link illinoiscourts.gov ![]() il.freelegalanswers.org Eligible individuals can submit a question and receive an answer from an attorney.
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The Community Uses Our Library
* checking out physical books, movies, and audio books
* reading newspapers and magazines
*accessing our on-line databases and free downloadable e-books and audiobooks
* using computers, Wifi, printer/copier and Fax machine.
*participating in programs and events
* using our spaces to study, work, or hold meetings
This report of usage of Library materials and
services from July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 may be downloaded from this link:
Year Review Snapshot 2020-21
Values were calculated using values from:
ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator
* checking out physical books, movies, and audio books
* reading newspapers and magazines
*accessing our on-line databases and free downloadable e-books and audiobooks
* using computers, Wifi, printer/copier and Fax machine.
*participating in programs and events
* using our spaces to study, work, or hold meetings
This report of usage of Library materials and
services from July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 may be downloaded from this link:
Year Review Snapshot 2020-21
Values were calculated using values from:
ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/calculator

Explore More Illinois is a free service provided by your library and the RAILS Library System that provides instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theaters, and other fun and local cultural venues. How do I get a Pass? Log in with your library card credentials and browse for passes by date or attractions. Make your reservation and print or download your pass shortly before your visit. You can have two active reservations per library card. Please cancel your reservation(s) if unable to attend, otherwise the reservation will count as being used. Remember that once you print or download your pass you cannot cancel your reservation. https://exploremoreillinois.org
Use the icons below or the drop down menus at the top of the page
to move to the other pages of the Library's website.
to move to the other pages of the Library's website.