Mary Jo Akeman, Trustee of the Six Mile Regional Library District, is the recipient of the 2016 Illinois Library Association Trustee of the Year Award.

This citation is awarded to a public library trustee for achievement, leadership, and service to libraries. The award is sponsored by Peregrine, Stime, Newman, Ritzman & Bruckner, Ltd. Mary Jo Akeman has served as a trustee of the Six Mile Regional Library District for more than forty years. She has served in all officer positions of the local library district more than once; currently she is the treasurer. Her calm and considerate demeanor has influenced this library to become what it is today – a vital, vibrant, active community partner. Akeman is a consistent and ardent supporter of libraries and library systems. She was a director of the former Lewis & Clark Library System board. She has participated in past state library legislative days, and has attended trustee workshops and both state and national conferences to keep apprised of what’s going on in libraries in the larger forum. Akeman is an active board member, helping to plan staff appreciation parties, library open house events, and anniversary celebrations. She served on the centennial celebration committee and participated in both the local Fourth of July parade to memorialize the achievement and the celebration at the library – dressing in early 1900s period costume during both events. She has actively worked on revising the library’s bylaws and helped to write policies, procedures, guidelines, and grant applications.

Tina Hubert, Director of the Six Mile Regional Library District located in Granite City, Illinois, is the 2016 recipient of the Illinois Library Association Librarian of the Year Award.

The award recognizes a librarian’s distinguished service and leadership in Illinois libraries. The award is sponsored by Sikich. Tina has worked in libraries for over 20 years. In 2010, she became Director of the Six Mile Regional Library District (SMRLD). During her short tenure she has managed a $4.1 million renovation, spearheaded a succession referendum campaign, and positioned the library as an integral part of the community’s revitalization plan. Throughout her career, and regardless of her role, Tina has strived to create services that strengthen the community. Currently she serves on several county and city boards within her district, not only as a library advocate but as a conduit for change and collaboration. Tina is no stranger to sharing with the Illinois library community. She has served as an ILA Board member, ALA Councilor, ILEAD U Mentor, Chair of the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee and on numerous other professional committees. “Tina lives her commitment to the businesses and members of the communities served by SMRLD, as well as the greater library community, with everything she does.” stated Juliette Douglas, Deputy Director of Six Mile Regional Library District, “She is well respected and continually demonstrates that libraries can and do transform people and communities.”

The Awards will be presented at the Awards Luncheon held on Tuesday, October 18, during the 2016 Illinois Library Association Annual Conference in Rosemont.

Both Six Mile Regional Library District locations are featured in the new ‪#‎PokemonGo‬ game, 2001 Delmar Avenue location is a‪#‎Pokestop‬ and 2145 Johnson Road is a ‪#‎PokeGym‬. Come on in, enjoy our free WiFi, pick up your library card, and browse our selection of Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs, and books while you hunt Pokemon. AND – charge your phones while you’re here!

Granite City – Friday, April 1, 2016 – An Opening Ceremony for the new Greener Cleaner Granite City Air Quality Flag and Ozone Garden Program will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Six Mile Regional Library District, 2001 Delmar Avenue, Granite City.  Refreshments will be served.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

United Congregations of Metro-East is providing a service for the community by offering educational programming and science activities that highlight ways to improve our air quality and health.  This is made possible through a grant awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to United Congregations of the Metro-East.  Local resident and member of both United Congregations of Metro-East and Granite City Cool Cities committee, Linda Aud is the leader of this project, which benefits all residents in the 62040 zip code.  Partners in writing the grant proposal include:  Saint Louis University, Granite City Community Gardens, and Granite City Cool Cities.  The success of this project is possible because of the joint efforts of all project partners:

United Congregations of the Metro-East, Saint Louis University’s Center for Environmental Sciences, Madison County Green Schools Program, Granite City Cool Cities, Granite City Community Gardens, United Steelworkers – SOAR, Six Mile Regional Library District, SWIC Granite City Campus, Granite City Housing Authority, Granite City Fire Department, Granite City School District 9, St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Holy Family Catholic School, University of Illinois, Washington University, Sierra Club, Madison County Partnership for Community Health, the Clean Air Partnership, Second Baptist Church, and the Boy Scouts.

There are two parts to the project.  The first part is an Ozone Garden located at the Granite City Fire Station on Rock Road.  The Ozone Garden was planted in June of 2015.  This year the Ozone Garden will be available for visitors.  Kelley Belina, St. Louis University’s Ozone Garden Project Manager, oversees our garden as well as Ozone Gardens at the SWIC Belleville Campus, the Saint Louis Science Center, Grant’s Farm, and the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  An Ozone Garden is a visible way to demonstrate the damage ground- level ozone pollution can do to plants and the environment.  Kelley will present more information on this part of the program.

The second part of the project is a Citizen Monitoring Network using EPA’s Air Quality Index and EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program.  The Six Mile Regional Library District is installing Citizen Air Quality Monitoring Networks to monitor our local air quality including ozone, black carbon, and particulate matter.  The equipment reports through the regional network to contribute to the overall collection of data for the metropolitan St. Louis area.  The Fire Station on Rock Road will also have an Ozone Monitor at the Ozone Garden.

The visual component of the second part is the Air Quality Flag program.  Staff and students for each participating organization will check the EPA’s AirNow data daily to provide the most accurate air quality forecast and will then display the appropriate flag.  Sites displaying flags are: SWIC Granite City Campus, GCSD9 Schools, St. Elizabeth School, Holy Family School, the Granite City Housing Authority, the Six Mile Regional Library District libraries, and the Fire Station on Rock Road.  Included in the project are opportunities for classroom visits, air quality-related lessons, and professional development for teachers and library personnel.  Kim Petzing, Madison County Green Schools Coordinator, is leading the educational components of the project and will present information on this part of the program.

Linda Aud will give an overview of how the project evolved and the project goals.  Refreshments will be provided by the Six Mile Regional Library District.

Contacts: Linda Aud, Project Lead (618) 931-4817 and Tina Hubert, Six Mile Regional Library District (618) 452-6238

Questions? Call 452-6238 ext 4

Print from home and pick it up at the library! Feel free to use the links below to print to either our Delmar Avenue or Johnson Road locations. You can even print from your mobile phone or tablet.

When you come in to pickup the print job, just go up to the print release station and select “Release a Print Job.” Enter your email address and you can pay for and release your print job to the printer. Uncollected print jobs will automatically be deleted from the print server after 24 hours, so please be sure you can make a trip to the library within that period of time.

Granite City High School Alumni and Wall of Fame inductee Gib Singleton recently passed from this Earth. He is known worldwide as a modern master of bronze sculptures. We are planning a showing of some of his artwork at the renovated library building later this year. We only wish he could have enjoyed the show.

Sculptor Gib Singleton 1935 – 2014

Published on Mar 4, 2014 A short video, produced by Rob Reid, recalling the works and life of artist Gib Singleton. America’s foremost religious and western sculptor.

If you  have  any  questions, please call  (618) 452-6244 or email [email protected]