Library Crawl 2024

This October, Decatur Public Library joins the IHLS Library Crawl!

During October, pick up a passport at participating libraries and take a day or more to tour other libraries and their communities. See how libraries are similar but vary greatly based on the communities they serve. Libraries you visit will likely have small gifts for you when your passport is stamped.

Find a book you want to read at another library on the Crawl? Check it out there and return it to Decatur!

Why a “Library Crawl”?
Decatur Public Library is part of a large system of Illinois libraries that readily lends materials to all our users. The Library Crawl is an opportunity for patrons to visit libraries throughout the state and learn more about the benefits and resources of their own local library card. . Cardholders can request materials for pick-up at their library of choice, or check out materials directly from any library in the system.

Decatur card holders that visit five participating libraries will be entered for a chance to win prizes!

Pick up the official passport at your home library.

Travel around central and southern Illinois visiting participating public libraries.

Go to each library’s circulation desk to get your passport stamped. Visit 5 or more libraries in October to complete the Library Crawl.

Return your passport to Decatur Public Library by Saturday, November 9th.

Discover all the many library collections your library card gives you access to. Did you know you can check out items at other libraries and return them to your home library? The statewide courier service makes this possible. Return your stamped passport to your home library and share your adventures!

There are eight participating libraries within Macon County and 20 more within an hour's drive.

The 1st Library Crawl was started by the Bethalto Public Library District in 2019 to encourage library patrons to find out about a major benefit of having a library card–the millions of items in public libraries throughout Illinois that they can access.

That first year, 28 libraries from the Metro East area near St. Louis participated. Now the Library Crawl has grown to include 158 libraries from all over central and southern Illinois. All of the participating libraries are members of the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) – which helps us cooperate and share with each other.

IHLS is one of three library systems in Illinois. IHLS has 227 public, 235 school, 30 academic, and 29 special member libraries. They also oversee the courier service that allows delivery vans to bring materials back and forth between all of us.

For the librarians, the best part of this event is meeting the bibliophiles/book nerds/library lovers who come to visit during the Library Crawl. We know you’ll enjoy each and every destination!