how do I?

apply for a library card?

For information on how to apply for a library card, click here.

find the hours a branch is open?

For locations and hours, click here.

search for a book online?

Click here to search the library catalog online.Click here to download brochures on how to use the online catalog and place a hold.

ask a librarian a question?

For questions about using the online catalog or databases or for book recommendations, fill out our email reference form. Submissions are reviewed daily Monday-Friday during open hours by librarians on duty. If your question is complex or you would prefer a quicker response it’s best to call the reference desk at 309-497-2000. For more detailed information on the types of questions that can be answered through email reference, click here.

If you have a question regarding renewing materials or overdue fines, please contact the Circulation Department. If you need to renew materials please bring items in for circulation staff to renew for you, or phone 309-497-2166. You may also renew materials checked out with your Peoria Public Library card from our website by going to our home page and clicking on “My Account.” For other questions concerning overdue materials or fines please phone the Circulation Dept. at 309-497-2163.

To ask librarians questions when the Library is closed, use AskAway. AskAway is a new statewide cooperative reference service of Illinois libraries to provide answers from professional librarians over the internet at any time day or night.

For other questions, call 309-497-2000 during open hours.

renew a book?

Items may be renewed in person at the circulation desk or by calling 309-497-2166. You may also renew materials online by accessing your account. Simply click here or on “My Account” on our homepage and login using your Peoria Public Library card. Once you are logged in, click on “Renew My Materials” on the left menu. For help accessing your account, click here.

For questions about loan periods, click here.

check my account?

Materials may be held and renewed through your online account. To access your library account online, click here. For help logging into your account, click here.

see a calendar of library events?

The events calendar for all branches can be viewed here.

find the bookmobile?

The schedule for the Bookmobile is available by clicking here.

get a job at the library?

To view currently open positions, click here.

volunteer at the library?

For volunteer opportunities, click here.

donate to the library?

For information on Friends of the Peoria Public Library and donating to the Library, click here.

get online homework help?

Homework Help is available in English and Spanish for a variety of subjects. Students can access one-on-one sessions with real tutors on the internet either at home or at the library.

To access Homework Help:

Click here
Enter your Peoria Public Library card number (Don’t have a card? Click here!)
Select your grade and the subject you need help with
Click “Connect

reserve a meeting room?

Meeting rooms are available at the Main Street Branch and the Lakeview Branch of the Peoria Public Library by persons or organizations engaged in educational, cultural, civic, intellectual and charitable activities or activities requiring the use of library materials. Meeting rooms are available for use during regular service hours on days when the Library is open.

To reserve a room, please fill out the Application for Use of a Meeting Room and the appropriate Room Arrangement Sheet (for the Main Library or Lakeview Branch) and return it by mail or in person to the Library at:

Peoria Public Library

107 NE Monroe

Peoria, IL 61602-1070

Attn: Director's Office

Requests for meeting rooms are honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Users meeting on a regular schedule may request space for a full calendar year at a time, with a new application submitted each year.

For more guidelines on requesting and using meeting rooms, click here.

cancel a meeting room?

To cancel a meeting room, please contact the Library Branch where the room is reserved. If a User fails to appear for their sceduled meeting, they forfeit any fees paid at the time of reservation. If a User fails to appear a second time, their reservations for the remainder of the year will be canceled and prepaid funds for future bookings will be refunded.

access the internet from the library?

All branches of the Library have Wi-Fi available for use with personal computers or other personal wireless devices. Computers are also available at all branches for internet use.

In order to access the Internet on Library computers, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Users must present their picture I. D. and complete a registration and user agreement form prior to usage
The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for users under 17
After registration the customer's library card will be marked or a computer use card will be issued. This card may be used only by the person named on the card and MUST be presented every time to use the public computers
Users must sign in
Use will be limited to a one hour session or less if others are waiting
Computers will be shut down 15 minutes before closing
Use of personal software applications, DVDs, and CDs on library computer equipment is NOT allowed

For a full explanation of internet use guidelines and procedures, click here.

join a book club?

The Peoria Public Library hosts a variety of Book Clubs open to new members. Book Clubs for young people and adults and their monthly selections can be viewed here. Meeting times and locations are also listed on our calendar.

For book suggestions and reading guides, check out Reading Group Gold.

perform genealogical research?

Click here for an overview on genealogical research. For a full list of genealogical resources available at the library, click here. A list of online genealogical databases and resources is available here.

access online databases?

Online references available through the Library website include access to various databases and government documents as well as a list of search engines.