Library Services

Library Cards

To be eligible for a library card from the Somonauk Public Library, you must be a resident in our district. Anyone living in the Village of Somonauk, both the Sandwich and Somonauk sides of Lake Holiday, Precinct 1 in Somonauk Township as well as Wildwood communities are entitled to a free library card.  Individuals living outside the library’s district in an unserved area may purchase a non-resident card for an annual fee commensurate with the current tax rate of the average household in the district. This card gives non-residents full borrowing privileges and can be used at most all libraries in the area.

Please visit the library to fill out our library card registration form. Proof of residency and a photo ID with a current address is required. If your photo ID does not have your current address, please also provide us with a piece of mail, lease agreement, or real estate tax bill to confirm your address. Our staff will prepare a card for you and you will be able to check out right away. Patrons must be 5 or older to receive a library card. Children between the ages of 5 and 16 must have a parent’s signature to obtain a library card. All patrons 16 and older are given full adult borrowing privileges.

Your card may be used at any local area libraries including Sandwich, Plano, Yorkville, Robert Rowe, Reddick, Mendota as well as most all public libraries in Illinois. Your card may also be used to download e-books and audiobooks. Library cards are valid for three years. Non-resident cards are only valid for 12 months. When your library card expires, you may come to the library to renew it or phone us at 815-498-2440. We honor all cards from public libraries in the state of Illinois.

Meeting Room & Study Room Use

The Somonauk Public Library offers the use of our public meeting room to other organizations for meetings or programs.  Please call or email the library for details about how to reserve the meeting room. Our two study rooms can be reserved by either calling the library or visiting the Patron Services Desk. The purpose of these rooms is to provide a place for patrons to study quietly and in small groups.

Homebound Delivery

Delivery is provided to anyone who lives in the Somonauk Library District and has a temporary or permanent illness or disability, or is unable to visit the library due to a medical reason. You can have books or other materials delivered to you at no cost! Contact us at 815-498-2440 for more information.

Exam Proctoring

As part of its community outreach service the Somonauk Public Library provides exam proctoring during regular library hours.  Please contact Julie at 815-498-2440 x 233.

Talking Book Service

The Illinois Talking Book Outreach Center provides audiobooks to those patrons who have visual impairment or who are unable to read.  Audiobooks are mailed to and from patrons at no charge.  To sign up for this service please call the library or stop in for an application.

Curbside Pick-Up

When the weather is bad, you’re short on time or have the little ones all buckled in, there’s no need to leave your car to pick up your holds! Curbside pick-up service is available during normal library hours. To use this service you must call the library ahead of time with your library card number, we will let you know when your items will be ready for pickup. You will have to make a second phone call to tell us you are here, then we will bring your items to you. Just call the library for more details.

Printing / Copying / Faxing / Scanning

The library’s printing and copying service is available at a charge of 10 cents for black & white copies and 25 cents for color copies.

We also have a special EZ-Scan station for faxing and scanning. Fax service is $1.00 per page. As well as faxing this machine scans documents to a flash drive, email, even the cloud all free of charge.  This station also can edit all your photos as well at no charge.

Notary

Somonauk Public Library offers notary services for the benefit of all patrons, in accordance with Illinois law.  This free service is provided for most documents, with some exceptions listed below:

• Government I-9 forms/Employment Eligibility Verifications.
• Refinancing or other types of real estate loans, purchases, sales, beneficial interests in land trusts and deeds.
• Apostilles/Certificate of Authority –  this is a form that certifies that a document that is issued in one country to be used and considered valid in another country.  These can be obtained through the Secretary of State’s office.
• Certify copies of documents or signatures. All documents must be original.  Notaries also cannot attest to true/certified copies of military documents.

While in general Library Notaries are available during regular business hours, we strongly recommend calling before coming in to make sure a Notary is available.

The Notary at their discretion will not provide service if the document or circumstances of the request raise any issues of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty.  Please note that:

• The Library does not provide witnesses and witnesses may not be solicited from staff or patrons using the Library.  Patrons must provide witnesses if the document to be notarized requires them.  Witnesses must also bring photo identification.
• Notaries will not prepare legal documents, nor can they give legal advice.
• Documents must be in a language that both the patron and notary understand; a translator may not be used in accordance with state law.
• Notary services are not guaranteed.
• Notary Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are a courtesy provided by the Library. The notary may ask the person(s) to wait while the Notary tends to other library matters.