Our Services for You
Your Library Card
Library cards are provided free of charge to all residents of our district, as part of your tax-supported library services. Your card gives you borrowing privileges here and at most public libraries in Illinois, access to special online resources, and more. Click here to learn how to get a library card.
Interlibrary Loan
If you need a book, DVD, or other item that we don't have, ask us to borrow it from another library for you. All of the Kankakee area libraries share the same card catalog so it is easy to borrow materials from all of them. If we don't have an item on our shelves, we can request that it be sent to us from another library for free. In fact, you may also return any Kankakee or PrairieCat library book to Bradley Public Library and it will be checked in and returned to its rightful library.
After-Hours Pick-Up Lockers
We provide lockers so you can pick-up your materials when we are not open. This service is currently limited to items on hold that are already available for pick-up. Click here for a more detailed description of this service.
Programs and Events
We have a regular schedule of educational and cultural events for all ages. See our calendar for details.
Computers
The library offers 24 computers open to the public with Internet access and Microsoft Office products. The library also offers free WiFi access to laptop users. Everyone who uses a library computer must follow our policy regarding computer and Internet use.
Photocopiers and Fax Machine
Photocopier ($0.15/page for 8" 1/2" x 11" Letter and 8/12" x 14" Legal size; $0.25/page 11" x 17" Oversized) Fax Machine ($1.00/page).
Notary Public Services and Exam Proctoring
The library offers notary services to the public and will proctor exams. Please contact the library for further information about these services by calling 815-932-6245.
Community/Meeting Room
Any group wishing to use the Community Room must agree to follow library policies.
Library Policies
Below are some of the policies about the public's use of the library.
Behavior in the Library
[Insert patron behavior policy here.]
Circulation Policy
Checkouts:
Please bring your library card with you when checking out items from the library. Items checked out from the library have the following checkout periods:
- Books - 2 weeks
- Videos & DVDs - 1 week (maximum 4 videos & 4 DVD's per household)
- Magazines - 1 week
- Audio books, music Cds (maximum 10), & CD-ROMs - 2 weeks
All of the Kankakee area libraries share the same card catalog so it is easy to borrow materials from all of them. If we don't have an item on our shelves, we can request that it be sent to us from another library for free. In fact, you may also return any Kankakee area public library book at Bradley Public Library and it will be checked in and returned to its rightful library.
Need to renew your checkouts? Stop in at the library, call the library at 815-932-6245 or renew online. Your pin is the last four digits of your library card number.
Overdue Items:
Overdue fines are $0.10 per day per item for books, magazines, audio books, CDs, kits, and CD-ROMs. Late DVDs and videos are $0.50 per item per day.
Community Room Use
Bradley Public Library District
Section 5 Evelyn Weakley Meeting Room
5.01 General Policy
The Evelyn Weakley Meeting Room is designed primarily to meet the operational needs of the Library.
The Board of Library Trustees of the Bradley Public Library District may permit not-for- profit groups whose membership is located within the Bradley Public Library District to use the Evelyn Weakley Room under the following restrictions.
5.02 Priorities
1. Library-sponsored programs and meetings.
2. Library-related meetings, including the Friends of the Library.
3. Meetings of official agencies, committees and boards of governmental bodies located within the Bradley Public Library District.
4. Meetings of not-for-profit community groups and organizations whose aims are educational, cultural, or civic in nature.
5. All other meetings which in the opinion of the Director finds appropriate to its mission and facilities.
5.03 Endorsement
1. Use of the Evelyn Weakley Meeting Room in the Bradley Public Library does not constitute Library endorsement or sponsorship of any viewpoints expressed by participants in programs.
2. Advertisement or otherwise distributed printed material shall not imply Library endorsement or sponsorship.
5.04 Restrictions
1. All groups of persons under 18 years of age must be attended by an adult who will assume responsibility for the group.
2. Classes involving the use of questionable materials must get the Library Board's approval first.
3. Meetings which would interrupt the functions of the Library or its users because of noise or other elements will not be permitted.
4. The name, address, or telephone number of the Library may not be used as the address or telephone number for any group using the Library for meeting purposes.
5. Groups using the Meeting Room may not deny access on the basis of race, religion, sex, or physical or mental disability.
6. No admission may be charged or collections, (except for regular club dues) sales, tuition or any other money raising activities may be carried out in the Library Meeting Room, except those sponsored by the Library or the Friends of the Bradley Public Library District. Groups may charge participants for the actual cost of materials used in a program, i.e., workbooks, etc.
7. The Meeting Room may not be reserved for:
a. Purely social gatherings; such as birthday parties, showers, receptions etc.
b. Religious services of any kind.
8. The use of the Library Meeting Room is a privilege and not a right, and is subject to the Library's sole and exclusive discretion. Accordingly, the Library reserves the right to deny the use of any meeting room to any organization.
9. Craft materials including, but not limited to paints, clay, paper mache, glitter etc. are prohibited.
5.05 Reservations
1. Applications for reservations are to be submitted in advance using the form provided.
2. Reservations must be made by an adult that has a valid Bradley borrower card. The renter will be the only person authorized to make changes concerning the reservations.
3. Requests for reservations will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis.
4. Application for the use of the Meeting Room facilities does not guarantee approval for said use.
5. No group may assign its reservation to another group.
6. If it is necessary to cancel a reservation for the Meeting Room, the Library should be notified as soon as possible.
7. The Library reserves the right to cancel any reservation.
8. If a Meeting Room is not used and a reservation cancellation is not given, Meeting Room privileges for this group may be suspended.
9. Any damage to Library property shall be reported immediately; the responsible group shall be charged for repair or replacement.
10. Permission to use the Meeting Room may be withheld for groups damaging the room and/or its contents, or causing a disturbance of any kind, or any other failure to comply with the Evelyn Weakley Meeting Room Policy.
5.06 Food
1. No food ar drink of any kind will be allowed.
5.07 Care of Facilities
1. The Meeting Room is to be left as it was found.
2. Meetings must be limited to the stated capacity of the Meeting Room, which will accommodate a maximum of 70 people.
3. Supplies, equipment or personal belongings cannot be left or stored in the Meeting Room before or after use, except with the Director's approval.
4. The Library shall not be responsible for the loss of personal property.
5. The Library does not provide service to carry supplies, make photocopies, or provide office supplies.
6. Posters or displays of any kind cannot be fastened to the walls.
7. Groups using the Meeting Room are responsible for setting up the room to their specifications and returning all equipment and furniture to its proper place.
8. Advertisements for meetings held in the Library but are not sponsored by the Library or the Friends of the Bradley Public Library may not be displayed in such a manner to suggest Library endorsement or sponsorship.
5.08 Telephones
1. The Library's telephones are for Library use only. They are not for public use.
2. The Library cannot act as a message center. People will not be paged or brought to the telephone.
5.09 Smoking
1. Smoking will not be permitted in any part of the Library, including the Meeting Room, bathrooms and the kitchen facilities.
5.10 Alcoholic Beverages
1. Alcoholic beverages will not be permitted on the premises at any time.
5.11 Set up and Clean up
1. Set up and clean up should be accomplished within time period for which the room is reserved. If it is necessary for Library staff to clean up following a meeting the individual, group, or organization making the reservation will be charged a minimum $100.00 fee.
Please stop into the library and fill out the appropriate forms to reserve the meeting room.
Computer/Internet Use
Bradley Public Library District Library Internet Use Policy
Bradley Public Library District provides public access to the Internet to fulfill its mission to preserve and promote universal access to a broad range of human knowledge, experience, information, and ideas. Internet access is provided in keeping with the American Library Association intellectual freedom statements.
The Internet is an unregulated, worldwide environment. It contains information and opinions that range in scope from reliable and authoritative to controversial or extremely offensive. Some information found on the Internet may NOT be accurate, complete, or current. Users must assess the validity of the information found. Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information about users’ activities. The Library assumes no responsibility for the security and privacy of on-line transactions.
Bradley Public Library’s users are subject to federal, state and municipal legislation regulating Internet use and as such it is the policy of the Bradley Public Library District to: a) prevent user access over its computer network, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The use of the Library’s Internet services for illegal purposes is prohibited, and may result in prosecution.
To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. Technology protection measures may be disabled only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Bradley Public Library District’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and b) unauthorized disclose, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
Children are entitled to access all information and facilities in the Library. As with other library materials, children’s access to the Internet and other electronic networks is the responsibility of parents and guardians. Technology protection measures are not perfect, and parents are encouraged to guide their children when using the Internet to avoid potentially dangerous sites and online interactions.
To ensure equitable access to the Internet and efficient use of resources, the Library has developed service use guidelines. The Library reserves the right to modify these guidelines when and where appropriate.
Certain copying or distribution of material found on the Internet may infringe on copyright or other intellectual property right. The Library is not responsible for such infringements.
Internet workstations are situated in public areas, and users are expected to use the Internet in accordance with this environment and in keeping with the guidelines outlined above. All users of the Bradley Public Library District, including users of the Library’s Internet services, are also expected to follow the Library’s Rules of Conduct which are designed to ensure a welcoming environment. Disruptive, threatening, or otherwise intrusive behavior is not allowed and Library staff are authorized to take action. Violations of this Policy and/or Rules of Conduct may result in up to one year suspension of library privileges and exclusion from the Library, as well as prosecution. The use of computers and Internet is a privilege, not a right and inappropriate use as determined by the library staff will result in a cancellation of those privileges.
Individuals wishing to use the computers or access the Library’s Internet connection are required to read this policy and signify their agreement to follow this policy. Users under the age of eighteen are required to have a parent or legal guardian sign a user agreement. The use of the library’s computers and Internet connection is intended for patron’s who have some knowledge of computers and Internet. The staff’s role is one of guidance, not instruction.
1. All children up to age 18 must have the parental/guardian Internet Permission Agreement form completed and on file at the library.
2. Children under the age of 11must be accompanied by a parent or parent approved adult over the age of eighteen.
3. Users must have their Library card with them in order to use the PC’s.
4. Users are limited to a total of 90 minutes per day in an unlimited number of sessions if no one is waiting for a computer.
5. There is a limit of two people per workstation.
6. Children under 18 may not use the Adult Internet computers and Adults may not use the Children’s Internet computers except when assisting a child. Staff may make exceptions.
7. Patrons cannot install hardware or software on the Library’s PC’s nor download software, MP3's or streaming videos to our PC’s. The Library computers do not have CD burners.
8. Users may not save files to the hard drive, change computer settings or bookmark settings.
9. Disks may be purchased for $1.00 at the Circulation Desk.
10. Print-outs are 15 cents per page for all pages printed. Printer charges may be paid at the Circulation Desk.
11. The Library does not provide e-mail accounts, and prohibits the use of library computers for illegal purposes.
12. Copies of this policy are available upon request at the Circulation Desk.
The user accepts full responsibility for all use made of the Library’s computers and Internet access. The Library is not liable for any damages or losses which may arise in connection with a patron’s use of the computers or Internet. The Library is not responsible for damage to the patron’s diskette or loss of material while using the Library’s computers.
Donations
The library welcomes your gift of books and audiovisual materials with the understanding that items are added to the collection at the discretion of the library administration. If you are interested in donating an item in someone's honor, please speak to the library director at 815-932-6245.
Donations not added to Bradley Public Library's collection may be sold at our annual book sale, given away to the public, or donated to one of our partners. Unsuitable or dirty items may be disposed of. We are unable to return donated items.
For large volume donations, please contact the library first at 815-932-6245.
Unattended Children
[Insert unattended children policy here.]
History of the Library
The Bradley Public Library was origanally founded in 1935 as a W.P.A. project.
In 1942, the W.P.A. withdrew its support, but the library was kept going with community support and by 1944 the library was able to operate as a tax-supported institution.
In 1959, the library moved to a newly erected building at 422 West Broadway and housed a collection of 9,355 books and 56 periodicals.
A 12,000 sq. ft. new library was completed and dedicated at 296 N. Fulton Ave. on June 23, 1985, bringing Bradley the most up-to-date equipment and a collection of 31,399 books, 265 videos, and 1,442 recordships.
Today, the library offers a continually growing collection of books for all ages on a wide range of topics. Over 170+ different magazine subscriptions are also available for checkout. We honor all area public library cards and have 24/7 access to our online catalog.
We offer free high-speed Internet access and Microsoft Office on 19 computers complimented by free monthly computer classes. We are even a community Wi-Fi hotspot. Bradley Public Library meets community multimedia needs with hundreds of DVD's videos, and audiobooks.