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Williamsfield Public Library District (WPLD) Mission Statement
  • The mission of the Williamsfield Public Library District (WPLD or the Library) is to provide educational, informational, cultural, and recreational resources and service to all ages of people in the Williamsfield Public Library District.
  • The Library will provide access to the universe of information and especially that information which is of immediate relevance and interest to the communities it serves.
  • The Library seeks to accomplish its mission through prudent management and development of its resources and by providing access to materials and service to meet the present and future needs of the communities it serves.
  •  In this effort, the Williamsfield Public Library District cooperates with other Libraries and with other educational and governmental institutions. 
  • Special emphasis is placed on current popular materials.  
  • The library serves as a learning center and educational center for all residents of the district.  
    BOARD OF TRUSTEES
     Tifanie Self  -  President
                        Kelly Goodin - Vice-President 
                       Eric Bell - Secretary
                     Michelle Jones - Treasurer
        Trustees:  Myrl Ann Gray   ---   Shirley Pauer   ---   Jackie Waggoner
    STAFF
    Gayla Karrick, Director  (1993-current)     Tamra Smith, Youth Programs Director (1994-current) 
    BOARD MEETINGS
    WPLD Board meetings are held in the Library @ 7:00 p.m., on the second Monday.
    Any changes to meeting dates or times will be posted 10 days prior to meeting.  
    The FY 2011 - 2012 Board Meetings calendar is as follows:  
    August 8, 2011                  September 12, 2011
                                                 November 14, 2011         January 9, 2012
                                                 March 12, 2012                May 14, 2012
                                                                             July 9, 2012
    Anyone wishing to attend the Board meetings are welcome at any time.  
    Anyone wishing to speak at a Board meeting must contact the Library Director, Gayla Karrick,
    10 days prior to meeting date, so that individual may be placed on the agenda.  
HISTORY OF THE WPLD
The desire for a Library in the Williamsfield area has a long and heart-strong past.  In October 1936, the Williamsfield Home Culture Club appointed a committee to investigate establishing a library for use in this area.  
  • February 1937- a Home Talent Revue was held, in order to acquire Library funds and to ask the public for donations of books, magazines and furniture.  
  • March 1937 -  the Library opened.  It was located in the front room of the J.C. Kneer home, who also gave the Library the first month rent free.  Elaine Seward was the first volunteer Librarian.  The WHCC members had accumulated a total of 250 volumes, 50 volumes from the IL State Library, which could be kept until June 1, 1937.  There would be no charge for a library card.  
  • April 1937 - the people of Dahinda donated 40 books, Brimfield Library donated 41 books and the Wilkinson family of Elmwood, donated 200 books to the Williamsfield Library.  The WHCC bought new books through the years as the budget allowed.  
  • Later in 1937, the WHCC received funds through the NYA and hired Elaine Seward as their official, paid employee of the Library. The Library would be open 56 hours a month.  
  • The Library was supported by fund-raisers provided by the Williamsfield Home Culture Club.  They hosted a circus; rummage sales; card parties; dances and one year each member was ordered to "earn" and contribute one dollar to the Library fund.  
  • In 1941 - the WPA project came to help.  A bigger building was needed and the Town Board, being a supportive then, as they are today, allowed the Library to move into the Village Hall, rent free.  The building was east of the Williamsfield water tower.  
  • When funds were no longer forthcoming from WPA, it once more became a struggle to keep the library open and finally in 1956, it was voted to close the library.  All materials and equipment were to be loaned for an indefinite time to the Williamsfield and Dahinda schools.  Anything not wanted by the schools was sold by silent auction.  
Years down the road, interest grew again to establish a Library that would serve people in the Williamsfield area.  
  • July 26, 1989 - was the first public meeting to discuss establishing a library district 
  • With assistance from the IL State Library and what was formerly know as the Western IL Library System, a decision was made to apply for a Library Development Grant (Project Plus) - which was awarded.  
In the meantime, area surveys, meetings, fund-raising events and all preparations to open a library in Williamsfield area was taking place.
  • April 17, 1991 - the Honorable Judge B.W. Hottle of Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit court, Knox County, IL signed papers to legally establish public library status of the Williamsfield Public Library District.  
  • The first WPLD building was shared in a one-room building, better known as the Village Hall!  History does, on occasion, repeat itself!  
  • Sept. 10, 1996 - WPLD purchased their very own building on 111 W. Gale St., Williamsfield, for $18,000.
Over the years in our building many good changes have occurred, in order, to provide better service to our patrons.  
  • A children's room was designed, remodeled and established 
  • A new circulation desk installed
  • Computer stations completed 
  • More book shelving has been added over the years to house the ongoing collections 
  • New, more efficient lighting , furnace, AC, water heater has all been updated for our patrons comforts
  • Walls painted (numerous times), new carpet throughout, table & chairs
  • Exterior updates with siding, windows, flower boxes, lights and new doors.  
Today, the WPLD building is very functional, inviting and comfortable (a little cozy at times).  We are proud to say that the Library continues to grow every year, collections and patrons.  Just think: in 2011, the need for a Library in the Williamsfield area continues to be as important as it was in 1936.  Thank you to the Williamsfield Home Culture Club for planting the Library seed so many years ago.

LIBRARY POLICIES
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, as applied to the WPLD
I.  A brief description of our public body is as follows:  
  • Our purpose is to provide materials and services for the recreational, social, informational and educational needs of the district.
  • Total funding sources are property, state and federal grants, overdue fees, and donations.  Tax Levies are:
    • 1.  Corporate purposes (for general operating expenditures)
    • 2.  Working Cash (Special Reserve Fund)
  • The Library is located at:  111 West Gale Street - Williamsfield, IL, 61489 
  • There are 2 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee
  • The WPLD Board of Trustees exercise control over our policies and procedures and meet monthly on the 2nd Monday at 7 p.m., in the library. 
  • WPLD is required to report and be answerable for our operations annually to the Illinois State Library:
Jesse White, State Librarian
Gwendolyn Brooks Building
300 South 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1796
217-785-5600
II.  Information and records are available to the public in the following manner:  
  • A FOIA request form must be completed.
  • A request should be directed to the WPLD, FOIA Officer.
  • Records must be specified and requested to be disclosed for inspection or to be copied.  If a person desires any records be certified, specific records must be identified.  
  • Reimbursement of actual costs for reproducing and certifying any records, will be charged as follows:  
    • $.10 per page for records copied
    • $1.00 per page for certification of record
    The WPLD will respond to a written request within seven (7) working days or sooner if possible.  An extension of an additional seven (7) days may be necessary to properly respond.
    • Records may be inspected or copied.  If inspected, an employee must be present throughout the inspection. 
    • An appeal may be submitted, based on the decision of the FOIA officer to the Board of Trustees. 
    • Records may only be inspected during regular open hours: 
      • Mon., Wed., Fri. = 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
      • Tues., & Thurs. = 1 p.m. - 8 p.m
      • Saturdays = 9 a.m. - 1 p.m 
III.  FOIA request forms can be found at the Directors desk at WPLD
All of WPLD's policies and procedures have been compiled, completed and reviewed regularly and comply with
American Library Association (ALA) standards.  
If anyone wishes to review the policies of the WPLD, simply click on the links below.
The WPLD policy manual may be viewed/downloaded here.
LIBRARY HOURS:    
Mon., Wed., & Fri. = 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tues. & Thurs. = 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday = 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed Sundays 		CONTACT WPLD:
Phone:  309-639-2630   *after hours messaging
FAX:  309-639-2611   *$1.00 per page
Email us
                                 Gayla Karrick, WPLD Director             Tamra Smith, Youth Programs Director          
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