Centralia Regional Library District
The Centralia Regional Library District Main Library is still in the same facilities as 1972. We are now part of the Shawnee Library System. Several years ago, Cumberland Trial Library System merged with the Shawnee Library System. At that time the system also updated it's on-line system and we are now using Dynix as our system vendor. The Library has the Circulation Module, Serials Module, Acquisitions Module, and Cataloging Module. There are plans to also add BASIC and do a major portion of our materials ordering electronically. We also have DIAL PAC which enables our patrons to dial into the database from home. This gives them the capability to search and place holds on items from the convenience of home.
The library has operated continually from its December 3, 1872 beginning. In April 1995, a Referendum was presented to the area voters and was passed, which resulted in the Centralia Public Library becoming a district library. The name changed to Centralia Regional Library District and included Centralia Township, Brookside Township, Grand Prairie Township, Irvington Township, and Raccoon Township. As of early 2002, we had 3 branch libraries and served parts of 4 counties and 5 townships. This expanded our per capita service area from 14,424 to 26,200 with a circulation increase of 43%. Again, by referendum in March 2002, the library district annexed Sandoval Township. The Centralia Regional Library District began serving a population of 28,684.
Our library district expanded once again in 2003 with the addition of the Village of Hoffman to our permanent branch library roster. In the first few months of 2004, Odin Township and the portions of Carrigan Township located in the Odin and Sandoval School Districts were added to our service area as well. With the inclusion of these regions into our district, the total population in our district has risen to 31,204. With each addition to our district, the Centralia Regional Library is becoming a more diverse and well-equipped library, and our staff continues to look for better, more cost-effective ways to give our patrons the best possible library service available in Southern Illinois.
