CLINTON — The Vespasian Warner Public Library will buzz with activity in September.

Library staff is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month, introducing the public to the new digital microfilm reader and announcing a new face in library leadership.

As always, the community is encouraged to visit the library to borrow books, movies, and more or attend a free event.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month

Residents can celebrate by getting their own library cards this month. With a library card, patrons can discover new and exciting worlds. They can borrow the latest popular books and movies and take free DIY classes, among other activities and services.

In September,  new library cardholders will receive a bookmark, pencil or magnet. Current library card holders can replace their lost or damaged card for free, normally $1. All library visitors also can visit the children’s floor to complete a scavenger hunt for a sticker prize.

New digital

microfilm reader

The library’s historic newspaper collection includes papers from Clinton, Farmer City, Kenney and Weldon, with some papers going back as far as 1854.  This collection is a valuable resource for the history of local communities. The newspapers are all available to view on microfilm.

Library visitors will have even better access to these historic records thanks to the Friends of the Warner Library, members of the DeWitt County Genealogical Society (DCGS) and an anonymous donor. This helped the library purchase a digital microfilm reader.

The reader offers a crisp, clear display of the newspapers and has the capability to easily save articles to flash drives or email. Visit the library on Thursdays, and volunteers from DCGS will show you the reader.

Melissa Snow enjoys

new role as Youth

Services Manager

The library announces that Melissa Snow accepted the role of Youth Services Manager at the library, effective August 1.

Snow previously served as the library’s Youth Services Assistant for the past two years.

“I’m excited about our expansion of programming and storytimes,” Snow said. “I’m also looking forward to many of our traditional events such as Trick or Treat in October.”

Snow will be responsible for events, materials and in-library activities for ages 0-18.

The library is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Hours are subject to change.

The library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day. The building will also close at noon on Friday, Sept. 22 and will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 23, during the Apple ‘n Pork Festival weekend.

For more information, visit www.vwarner.org, call (217) 935-5174, or visit Facebook @VespasianWarner.