For the first time, the Bryan-Bennett Library in Salem is taking part in the annual Library Crawl held among SOME members of the Illinois Heartland Library System during the month of October.
Bryan-Bennett Library patrons may pick up a passport, which shows participating libraries. In the Crawl, library patrons can visit other facilities participating in the activity and get a stamp on their passport. Many of the Crawl libraries have a little token to say thank you for visiting. When people participating in the activity visit Bryan-Bennett, they will get a sweet treat.
Bryan-Bennett patrons who visit five or more other libraries and show Salem staff the stamps from those other Libraries may enter a drawing for 1 of 10 insulated lunch bags. People, who visit Bryan-Bennett Library from other communities, will be given a list of the local eateries and other unique sites to visit in Salem. Locations identified on this list were taken from the City of Salem and Chamber Websites and publications.
The Crawl features 124 libraries in Illinois Heartland Library System. Bethalto Public Library started the activity in 2019 to encourage library patrons to find out about a major benefit of having a library card – the millions of items in public libraries throughout Illinois that they can access.
Library Director Kim Keller says Bryan-Bennett staff were eager to join the fun this year so that it can show our patrons the flexibility Heartland System membership gives our patrons.
“Because Bryan-Bennett Library is a member of Heartland Library System, our patrons can use their Bryan-Bennett card at any of the more than 200 public libraries which are members of the library system. Conversely, readers with valid cards from those libraries can visit here, and we will serve them as if they were residents of our community.”
Bryan-Bennett patrons need to remember that not all of the Heartland libraries are participating in the Crawl activity. So, before setting out, patrons should check the Crawl list and make sure they’re visiting a Crawl library – and make sure they have their passport with them. Our patrons would be welcomed and well-served at any of our sister libraries in the Heartland System. However, unless that library is on the Crawl list, you won’t get a stamp on your passport.
Keller says they are excited about having visitors here at the Salem library. And, they are excited for the chance to brag about our local restaurants and the many places that they stop by when they’re in Salem.
The Library Crawl will conclude on October 31. A few of the easier stamps to get on the passports can be obtained at Altamont, Breese, Fairview Heights, Edwardsville, Harrisburg, Kinmundy, Lebanon, Marion, Maryville, Mt. Carmel, and O’Fallon.
