Who We Are

The Hudson Area Public Library District is located at 104 Pearl St.  The Hudson Area Public Library District provides free services to all residents living within the Hudson city boundaries as well as Unincorporated Normal, Lake Bloomington area and areas around Money Creek.  Library services are available to all others for a fee.

The library holds materials including books, compact discs, books on CD, DVDs, VHS tapes, PlayAways, and CD-ROMS.

Patrons are invited to use print and electronic reference resources, access the Internet through the Library’s DSL connection, enjoy Wi-fi service, participate in computer and Internet training, view a Library exhibit, or attend one of the Library’s many events.

Our friendly and professional staff is eager to serve you. Welcome to the Hudson Area Public Library!

Our Mission

The mission of the Hudson Area Public Library District is to provide informational, cultural, educational, and recreational resources and services for patrons as well as to provide a pleasant physical environment for personal fulfillment, education, social activity, and relaxation.

Our Long-range Goals

Approved by the HAPLD Board of Trustees on 04-12-2011

 Goal One: To offer collections, services, programs, and technology to meet the needs of the Hudson Area Public Library community.

• Objective 1: To attain a 40% rate of cardholders among citizens of the district through marketing, recruitment, and service strategies.
• Objective 2: To optimize the library’s collection through the acquisition of high-demand, quality, and best-selling materials for all ages and the de-   selection of outdated, outmoded, or poor-condition items.
• Objective 3: To offer high-interest informational, cultural, educational, and   recreational programs and displays appealing to the diverse populations of the Hudson Area Public Library District.
• Objective 4: To acquire, implement, and maintain technology in the library in accordance with the goals and strategies in the library’s Technology Plan.
• Objective 5: To offer summer reading programs for all constituencies.

Goal Two: To assist students of all ages in meeting their educational goals.

• Objective 1: To promote reading readiness from infancy and to provide materials and programs for self-enrichment for all ages.
• Objective 2: To remain aware of major assignments at Hudson Elementary that require students to use the library.
• Objective 3: To maintain the timeliness of educational resources both printed and electronic as funds permit.
• Objective 4: To review educational resources every two years and update as necessary and funds permit.

Goal Three: To promote the library and its offerings to the Hudson Area Public Library District community.

• Objective 1: To advertise programs and services in The Quill, the HAPLD newsletter, the Lake Breeze, and in other print and electronic media as appropriate.
• Objective 2: To distribute a library newsletter a minimum of three and up to four times per year as funding permits.
• Objective 3: To continue to promote the library and its services to businesses, community leaders, and other members of the district.

Goal Four: To collect printed material and physical artifacts relating to the history of the Library District and the Hudson community.

*See Hudson History Room policy.

• Objective 1: To concentrate on organizing, cataloging, and making the Hudson History Room collection accessible to others.
• Objective 2: To provide additional space for the Hudson History collection in the event of a new addition to the building.
• Objective 3: To promote the Hudson History collection to the wider library community.

Goal Five: To engage in ongoing evaluation of the policies, procedures, and long-range plans of the Library, revising as necessary.

• Objective 1: To review and update every two years the procedure manual for the use of library employees.
• Objective 2: To review the library policies and update every two years as needed.
• Objective 3: To administer the library in accordance with the standards set forth in Serving Our Public: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries.
• Objective 4: To ensure that the library facility will continue to meet the needs of patrons and library district members.

Goal Six: To participate as active members of the greater library community.

• Objective 1: To continue as an online member of the Resource Sharing Alliance.
• Objective 2: To encourage library employees to attend professional development events, including conferences, workshops, and presentations as funding allows.
• Objective 3: To hold monthly staff meetings for the purpose of information sharing, idea-gathering, problem solving, and training.
• Objective 4: To engage in information-sharing with smaller system libraries via participation in the Tri-County Directors’ Group.

History

Established as a volunteer library by members of The Hudson Woman's Club in 1979, the predecessor to the Hudson Area Public Library existed without direct tax support.

The Hudson Area Public Library District (HAPLD) was established as a result of a citizen referendum in Hudson, Hudson Township, parts of Money Creek and Unincorporated Normal Township. The vote was held on March 17, 1992, and the question was approved by a nearly 70% vote. On May 12, 1992 the Hudson Area Public Library District became officially established.