In collaboration with the Homer Historical Society, the Homer Community Library now offers Ancestry Library Edition. This resource is available in-library only but can be accessed through any of our public computers.
The Library has many local reference materials such as Homer High School year books, local cemetery lists, and several area town Centennial publications. We are also adding to our genealogy resource collection.
The Library is a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS). This means that your Homer Community Library card gives you privileges through the entire system including reciprocal borrowing and interlibary loan.
The Library is a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS). This means that your library card provides access to all the libraries in the IHLS as a reciprocal borrower. We are not automated with the system so if you do chose to borrow items directly from another library they will need to issue you a system barcode. You only need to do this the first time you sign up and then when you need to renew your card.
As a member library of the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) we also offer reciprocal borrowing services to patrons of other IHLS libraries. If you have a library card from Vance Township, Sidell, Ogden, St. Joseph, or any other IHLS library you can borrow items from the Homer Community Library with the same privileges as Homer Library card holders.
If you are looking for an item that we do not have in the Homer Community Library, there is a good chance we can borrow it from another library. Just ask the librarians and we can see if we can find what you need! We get IHLS deliveries twice a week and it usually takes a week to ten days for requested items to come in.
The Homer Community Library is participating in the e-Read Illinois Program, designed to increase access to e-books across Illinois.
Getting Started:
To download e-books, you will need:
- A valid Homer Community Library card (you will use your library card number to log-in).
Don’t know your card number? Ask the librarian.
- Internet access.
- Free software for your reading device. If you are using a mobile device you will get this from whatever app store you normally use. This Axis 360 app has switched to the Boundless app.
When you open your reading app you will be asked to search for your library. Search for just Homer
then chose Homer Community Library
Lending Policies:
Checkouts:
You can borrow up to 5 titles at any time. The maximum checkout period is 21 days.
Holds:
You may place up to 5 titles on hold at any one time. You will receive an email when your hold becomes available. You will have 3 days from the time you receive the email to checkout the item. If a hold is not checked out within 3 days, it will be passed on to the next user.
To remove or suspend a hold, login to your Axis 360 account, click My Lists, and then Hold Queue. To remove the hold, click the Remove option.
Renewals:
Items can be renewed as long as no other patron currently has the title on hold. You may renew a title from your list of Items on Loan. This will place the book in your Hold Queue for retrieval when the initial checkout period is complete.
Returns:
All items can be returned early if you are done with them. Please note: most of these apps have two option buttons – Return and Remove. You will want to chose Return to return the title so you can checkout a new item. Remove only removes the item from your shelf, it does not return it.
The Homer Community Library offers public computers with internet and basic word processing and other common software, a children's computer with educational games and software, and printing, copy, faxing services. There is also wi-fi available to patron access on their personal devices. Computers can be used by the general public and do not require a valid Homer Community Library card.
Cost of services:
Black & White prints or copies: 15¢ per page
Color prints or copies: 25¢ per page
Faxes - sending $1 for the first page, 10¢ each additional page
receiving: 15¢ per page
Scanning is available by the librarian at no cost as long as they is not busy with other patrons.
The Library now offers laminating services and can laminate items up to 11x17".
Cost of services:
Business card size: 50¢ each
All other sizes up to 11x17": $1.00 each
*There are some items you should not laminate, including your social security card, so please don't ask us to!
Our Library Director, Christine, is an Illinois Notary Public. These services are available when she is on duty or by appointment. Please call or email the Library for more information.
We are a small library so while we don't have designated Reference or Reader Advisory librarians, our staff is more than willing to help you find the information you need or look for something new to read. Just ask us and we will be happy to help you!
To help our patrons who are students at the Heritage Elementary & Junior High School meet their Accelerated Reader goals, we have all of our Easy, Junior and Young Adult books clearly labelled with their Accelerated Reading levels. This is also helpful for kids and parents to know if a book may be too challenging, or not challenging enough, for their enjoyment.