About Us:
Flora Public Library is located in Library Park at 216 North Main Street, Flora, Illinois. The 9,285 square foot facility was completed in 1992 and dedicated in March 1993. This spacious, modern building replaced the Flora Carnegie Library building, a two-story yellow brick, which stood in Library Park from 1903 until 1990. In January
1990, the Carnegie building was deemed structurally unsafe and closed to the public. After a two-year building campaign, along with the generosity and assistance of a supportive community, the new red brick structure was completed.
Inside, open cathedral ceilings and spacious surroundings create an atmosphere conducive to reading, relaxation and reflection. Three reading areas and a centralized lounge area provide comfortable seating. Study tables, accommodating 4 or 6 are located throughout the main area. In addition to browsing material for their age level, children can visit the Puzzle and Picture Book Table, use the Children’s Computer Center and see Sassie, the Carousel Horse. A display of antiques and Abraham Lincoln memorabilia provide attractive displays in the front lobby. A small Audio-Visual room accommodates up to four people for small meetings or tutoring. The Community Room has capacity for up to 60 people and may be rented for training, informational or other meetings.
Today, the library houses 45,700+ books that include Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, Biographies, Reference & Genealogy; Children’s collections arranged in three age groups: Easy, Juvenile & Young Adult; Large Print Books; and Best-Sellers. Other holdings include 80+ subscriptions to magazines and newspapers, 1600+ videos, 1,000+ audio books, and 260+ microforms. Annual circulation exceeds 47,000 items with annual library visits totaling over 43,000.
Additional services that the library provides are reference services to businesses and individuals, fax and photocopy services, two microfilm reader-printers, voter’s registration (by qualified staff members), the annual Summer Reading Program and other programs for children, Internet access with library card or Internet pass, and Inter-Library loan for card holders. Four workstations are located in the juvenile area for word processing and other office applications as well as educational games for the children. Library cardholders are also able to access the library’s Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), from remote locations through the SHARE system. Patrons may place holds from home or work and pick up the items at the library.
