JJC Library Welcomes Community, Shares Resources During April 26 Open House Event

The Joliet Junior College (JJC) library will host a community open house on Wednesday, April 26 from 4-7 p.m. in the JJC Library, second floor A-Building, Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Road. The event will celebrate several library initiatives and the library technical assistant (LTA) certificate program. 

“The JJC library provides a variety of research services and resources in a state-of-the-art facility and accessible location,” said Amy Chellino, assistant professor and librarian. “Our mission includes providing all residents in our district with access to an academic library experience for exploration and discovery.”

The open house event will offer participants the opportunity to explore the JJC library and its resources and services. JJC President Dr. Clyne Namuo will make opening remarks and the first 25 people in attendance will receive a goodie bag. Attendees can also:

• Sign up for a JJC community library card or bring a current library card from another public library district and register to become a reciprocal borrower
• Experience open mic poetry readings from Wordeater, the college’s creative arts magazine
• Commemorate National Library Week with photo props and special guests from around the library
• Learn about the library technical assistant certificate which prepares students to become a skilled library paraprofessional 

This year’s National Library Week theme is “There’s More to the Story,” illustrating the fact that in addition to the books in many formats, libraries offer so much more to the residents and students who visit them. 

The JJC Library offers many additional resources outside of the traditional print book formats including streaming video, pre-loaded audiobooks (playaways), audiobooks, graphic novels and full-text access to popular fiction, reference books and hundreds of thousands of journal and newspaper articles online.  

The open house will also provide District 525 residents the opportunity to register for a library card if they live in an area that is not currently served by a public library district.  

“Approximately one million people in Illinois do not have access to public library services because they are not taxed by a local governing agency,” said Michelle Roubal, associate professor. “However, these same people are likely taxed by their local community college district. Which means libraries like the one at JJC are available for use to these residents.”

Library chairperson, Professor Aimee Walkers adds, “In 2022, JJC reaffirmed its philosophy of community service by providing basic library services to all the people of the District. In this spirit, the College invites those who can’t join a public library in District 525 to drop in to get a library card.”

More information about the JJC library open house and community resources can be found at library.jjc.edu.

For media inquiries, please contact Communications and Media Manager Katie Smith at 815-280-2844 or katherine.smith@jjc.edu.