Enlightening and Inspiring Generations with Generations of Ideas

Library Services

Library Cards

It's easy to get a Library card!  Just follow these easy steps!

1. Do you live within the City of LaSalle?  If you live within the boundaries of the City and pay Library taxes, you are eligible to apply for a library card at no cost.  The card will be sent to you via U.S. Mail and will need to be renewed every two years. 

2. If you live outside the boundaries of the City of LaSalle, and outside the boundaries of anoither public library, you may be able to purchase a Library card at the rate of $60.00 per year.  Cards will need to be paid and renewed on an annual basis in order to retain library privileges. 

3.  Children may apply for a Library card when they are five years old.  If your child is twelve years old or younger, the card application must have a parent signature.  Children under the age of sixteen years old may use the proof of residency provided by their parent.  Children sixteen years old or older, may choose to provide their own proof of residency, or use that of their parent.  

4.  Please bring a piece of mail that includes a current address dated within the last thirty days and a photo identification with you when you apply for a card.   All patron records are kept strictly confidential per Illinois law.  If you lose your card, you may pay a $2.00 fee to replace it. 

5.  Books, audiobooks, music and magazines can be checked out for two weeks, and can be renewed twice.  DVDs have a one week checkout and can be renewed twice.  New card applicants may checkout two items per card.  Once you receive your card in the mail, there is no limit on books, audiobooks, music or magazines.  DVDs are limited to ten per card.  Materials can renewed as long as there are no holds on them.  You may call the Library and ask staff to renew them, or access your account through the electronic catalog, PrairieCat.  

6.   Books, audiobooks, and magazines are fine free, but if the items are not returned within 21 days of the due date, then the items will be considered lost and you will be charged for the cost of the item.  DVDs, wireless hotspots, and materials from other libraries still have fines if overdue.  If a item is lost or damaged, you will be billed for the cost of the item.  

Public Computers and Wireless Access

The Library offers eight public access computer stations for adults, teens and/or youth, over the age of twelve years old.  All computers are Internet able and have Microsoft Office 2019.  

1.  If you have a valid library card, with no fines, you can login to the computers, using your library card barcode.  You will have up to three hours per day access. If you don't have a library card, you can ask at the circulation desk for a guest pass.  You will need to have a ID with you in order to obtain a pass, and you will have up to two hours per day access. 

2. Computers will automatically shut down ten minutes before the Library closes. Nothing is saved to the computers.  If you are working on a document, please bring a USB drive with you to save your work. 

3.  Youth eighteen years or younger are required to have a permission slip, signed by a parent or legal guardian on file befiore they can use the computers. 

4. Please read our policies on Use of Public ComputersElectronic Networks/Internet Policy and Wireless Access Policy

5.  You can print either black/white or color.  For black/white, the cost is $0.25 cents per page and for color, it is $0.50 cents per page. 

6.  You are more than welcome to bring your own device and connect to our wireless network.  The login is LaSalle Library Guest and the password is LaSalle.Patron.2019!

Hotspot Lending 

The Library offers portable wireless hotspots that can be checked out. Portable hotspots can support up to ten devices, so families can get Internet access for each member’s unique interest, all at the same time.  Hotspots can be checked out for one week.  They cannot be renewed or reserved. 

1. In order to checkout a portable wireless hotspot, you must be a LaSalle Public Library cardholder.  You also have to be eighteen years old or older and your card be in good standing, meaning no fines or overdue items, and no history of a delinquent account. Since the hotspot benefits the whole household, all members of the household must have cards in good standing -- no fines, overdue items, or history of a delinquent account -- in order to be eligible to checkout a hotspot. 

2. New card holders must establish a borrowing record with the Library for three consecutive months with at least three checkouts in those months before checking out a hotspot.  

3.  In order to checkout a portable hotspot, please read our policy Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending Policy.  You will need to have your Library card and photo ID with you when you check out a hotspot.  Hotspot availability is on a first come, first served basis. 

In-Library Use of Laptops/Tablets/Chromebooks

Thanks to a $19,000 grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan of 2021, the Library is pleased to offer users in-library use of laptops, tablets and Chromebooks.

Users will be allowed to check-out one of the mobile devices for up to 90 minutes while within the Library building. Users will need to present a valid Photo ID, which will be held at the service desk while the device is in use and complete the user agreement.

The mobile devices are available on a first-come-first-serve basis from 10am to 5:30pm Monday through Thursday; 10am to 4:30pm on Fridays; and 10am to 1:30pm on Saturdays. 

Whether it's to sharpen computer skills, complete a test online, search for a new job, or to view one of the Library’s archive of online programs, all individuals, ages 12 and above, who have a Library card in good standing, are welcome to come and take advantage of this new service.  Please bring headphones, if listening to audio, as the Library is unable to provide them.

Public Meeting Spaces

The Library offers two public meeting spaces free of charge.  As per policy, these spaces are not for political, religious or for-profit meetings or events.  If you or your group is interested in reserving meeting room or study area, please call the Library at 815-223-2341.   Please review our Meeting Room Policy and Application

Meeting Room - Located on the lower level, this room seats approximately 60 adults, theater-style, or 120 children on the floor.  It can be arranged in various configurations to suit your needs, and includes a kitchen area and equipment hookup. 

Study Area - Perfect for tutoring and/or homework, or if you need a quiet place to work, this closed study area is located on the second level with confortable seating, and can accomodate approxinmately six adults. 

Explore More Illinois

Explore More Illinois is a cultural pass program that allows any Illinois public library cardholders access to discounts and/or free passes at museums, park districts, historical societies, zoos, arts centers, recreational factilities, and other attractions across the state.  Please visit Explore More Illinois FAQ, for more information. 

Participating Attractions (updated November 2022)

A list of participating attractions can be found through the Explore More website or by going to this link - Participating Attractions

Copying/Faxing/Scanning

Faxing

Sending - $2.00 for 1st page/$1.00 for additional pages.
Sending (toll-free) - $1.00 for 1st page/$0.50 for additional pages.
Receiving - $1.00 for 1st page/$0.50 for additional pages. 

Scanning

The copier also serves as a scanner. Scanned images may be saved directly to a flash drive (USB/thumb drive) using the USB port on the unit. There is no charge for this service.