La Grange Park Public Library - part 2

We're on the second floor of the La Grange Park Public Library now. As far as I could tell, these rows of paintings were owned by the library and not someone else's collection on display.

A study area; note the muted variety of color. Also, back there on the wall (on the left), note the public access catalog is a wall-mounted flat screen. I'm not a huge fan of this -- will patrons recognize the screen for what it is? Will they notice the small sign next to it?  -- but I'll readily admit that, if you were pressed for space, this would be the perfect solution for keeping your PAC from taking up too much space.

Technology is proudly on display at La Grange Park, with this table being where the microfiche reader (and a vertical monitor designed for scrolling through newspaper) and a flatbed scanner are kept. And I am a fan of, if you're going to have these technologies, keeping them out in the open like this instead of hidden away in some room. You can't see it, but the reference desk is like 5' away off to the right of this table, which means the reference librarian does not need to be out of sight of his or her desk in order to help someone here with tech questions.

The tech table is long and to the left of the scanner is the VHS-to-DVD machine. In an unusual move, the library seems to be making blank DVDs freely available to patrons using the device.

Now, this piece of equipment surprised me. A rare piece of equipment in libraries these days, the record player is there for transferring records to DVDs. I wonder if you can bring in your records from home and some headphones and just use it for listening?

Tax forms, as I've said before, are your most important government documents this time of year. I miss the ol' spinner rack my old library used to have for tax time, but a table works just as well -- particularly this year, when there are fewer forms than ever. I do think it's messy to leave the boxes exposed under the table, though; better to have put a tablecloth under the tax forms and conceal the boxes.

 While perusing the stacks I found Illinois Compiled Statutes, 2016 edition! Way to stay on top of things, La Grange Park!

A better view of the upstairs window. It was an overcast day, but I bet they get a ton of natural light in here most days (and that those big bushes appreciate it).

Now I'm going to give you a sneak peek of the lower level (and I'll have more photos of that tomorrow). This is the playroom for young children. Love the dinosaurs!