The Sterling Public Library is one of the City's greatest resources. The Sterling Public Library is a Carnegie library which opened on November 22nd, 1905. The library maintains a collection of over 60,000 volumes, subscribes to more than 100 periodicals, and has 8 computers available for public use. Additionally, the library maintains an online catalog and an interlibrary loan program both regionally and locally in cooperation with local public and school libraries.
Centrally located in the Library Plaza downtown, the library hosts numerous programs for children and adults. Children's reading programs and incentives are organized, guest speakers are invited performances and readings of literature is done, and even book discussions are held. There are always new activities taking place at the library to fit most any taste.
The library is governed by a Board of Directors that are appointed by the Sterling Mayor and approved by the Sterling Council. Library Board meetings are held at 7:00pm the first Tuesday of each month in the Library Community Room.
The Sterling Public Library also hosts a terrific annual Storytelling and Arts Festival.
For more information on the Sterling Public Library, please visit their official web site, or better yet, visit them in the Library Plaza in downtown Sterling, or call (815) 625-1370.
Rock River Libraries Share Resources
It’s official! Several libraries in the area have joined together to form the Rock River Libraries Consortium (RRLC). Libraries involved in the RRLC are: Sterling, Rock Falls and Dixon Public Libraries, Sterling Public Schools, Rock Falls High School, Newman Central Catholic High School and St. Mary’s School in Sterling. All of these entities are combining their library catalog records into one database that will be called RiverCAT.
This project was developed for two main reasons: economy and geography. All of these libraries use the same automation software to process and circulate books and other material. Merging the records into one database eliminates the need for each location to purchase and maintain a server computer. The shared server will be located at the Sterling Public Library and will be accessed remotely by the other sites. This will significantly reduce the technology costs for the libraries while expanding the resources available locally. Library patrons will be able to request items that are available at other sites and they will be sent to their home library for pick up. Patrons may also choose to visit other nearby libraries to check out items.
The library system, Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) currently provides van delivery service throughout northern Illinois but reduced funding for library systems make the future of this service tenuous. The librarians involved in this project want to create a way to make our resources available to our local communities even if the library system delivery is not an option.
All of the school/ public libraries will remain unique entities and will seek to serve their students/patrons first. We are combining only our catalogs-not our individuality. Public library cardholders will be part of the RRLC and can use the Sterling, Dixon and Rock Falls Libraries. Public library patrons may not go to school libraries but may request items from the shared catalog, which will be sent to their home library for pick up. Schools may request books from any library in the RRLC for their students.
The RiverCAT shared library catalog was launched on October 31, 2011 at all locations. For more information about the RRLC contact your local library.