NPL Curbside Service

Our expanded Curb It service is up and running! Read on for more details on Curb It, returning items, donations, and more.

Here's how you can help Curb It run smoothly!:

  • Check your library card account. Make sure your email address and phone number are correct.

  • Put items you want to check out on hold. 

  • Add some DVDs to your holds! We are not charging for DVD rentals at this time.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and kindness as we figured out the safest process for staff and patrons. Please feel free to send any questions to us at ask@normalpl.org.

 

Browser Packs

Not sure exactly what you feel like reading today? Looking to feed a voracious reader, young or old? We’re here to help! Fill out this form to request a browser pack and let us surprise you with a selection of items chosen to fit your tastes. Browser Packs are great for families — you can request books for up to four different readers of any age in one pack.

Examples of Browser Pack requests could include:

  • "I love Scandanavian mystery series like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Can you find me some new books like that?"
  • "My second grader is ready to move on from Elephant & Piggie and dip his toes in the world of chapter books. Can you suggest a first chapter book series that's funny, inviting and not too intimidating?"
  • "Just give me five graphic novels for adults, please! Anything is good."

 

Curb It! Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Step 1: Place Your Requests

Step 2: Schedule Your Pickup Time or Swing By Once Your Holds Are Available

Step 3: Arrive at NPL and We'll Bring Your Items to You!

 

A Few More Details About Curb It!

Place your holds through our online catalog, the RSAcat mobile app, or by calling us at 309-452-1757. Don't know exactly what items you want? Fill out a Browser Pack request and our expert staff will handpick items for you.

Once you have placed your holds or requested a Browser Pack, staff will start working on pulling items from our shelves. 

When your hold items or Browser Pack are ready, you'll receive an email notification. If you do not have an email on your account, we will call you to let you know your items are ready to be picked up. 

When you arrive, please pull into one of the numbered spots in our main parking lot. Call or text the posted phone number to let us know you are here. If you text, please include the number for the spot you are parked in and your first and last name. Pop your trunk or open a door and library staff will place your items in your vehicle. If this is a scheduled pickup time, the items will already be checked out to you and will include a printed due date receipt. If you are stopping by without a scheduled pickup time, please allow some extra time since we'll still need to check out your items to you at this point.

 

Returns

We are happy to accept returns via our Curb It service. If at all possible, please have these items ready in a disposable bag. Staff will take them when you arrive for your scheduled pickup.

Items may also be dropped into the book return in our main parking lot. These items do not need to be bagged. Our off-site drops at Target, Jewel-Osco, and the Community Activity Center drops are open. Schnucks should be open soon.

Returned items will be quarantined for some time, so please be aware that your account may show items still checked out to you for a week or more after they've been returned. No fines will be charged for returned items.

 

Donations

While we don't have a date set for our next Used Book Sale, we are accepting donations in our parking lot at Fell and Mulberry. Please pull into the lot from Fell Avenue and follow all signage to our shipping container, where we will be loading in all donations to be stored and quarantined. Items donated to the library may be recycled if they are not included in the Sale.

To make this process as safe and efficient as possible, we ask that you:

  • Bring donations in boxes if you are able to do so. Disposable bags are encouraged if you don't have a box. Boxes and bags will not be returned. Please be mindful of staff safety and be sure that boxed items are not too heavy for one person to carry.

  • Only bring items that are in good, clean condition. If you wouldn’t purchase it at a sale, please do not bring it.

  • No textbooks, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, VHS tapes, or cassette tapes.

 

Additional Services

NPL will continue to offer library card registration online, as well as our chat service. We have a great selection of virtual programming that you can see on our calendar.