On April 2, 2012 the National Archives will release access to the 1940 Federal Census. This census, accessible online free of charge from the National Archive at http://www.1940census.archives.gov/, does not have a name index. But no fears, if you know where someone lived in 1940, you can search the 1940 Census enumeration district (ED) maps for an address and then locate the ED number for that address.

The National Archives have uploaded the 1940 Census maps to their Archival Research Catalog (ARC) and plan to add them to the new Online Public Access system before April 2nd. To search the maps go to ARC at  http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/

For more information on locating your ancestor read Rebecca’s article on the National Archive’s blog.

We are blessed to have dedicated volunteers who support the library’s services in many ways, from shelving to helping with our programs.

Thank you to all our volunteers!

While we constantly encourage visitors, the library was a bit surprised at our newest visitors. A flock of flamingos. Wonder if they need directions to warmer weather? Hope our cold temperatures don’t cause their feathers to sag. Check out our pictures of the new arrivals.

Yesterday, Penguin Group announced it has ceased offering e-books for purchase via Overdrive. Overdrive is the primary supplier of e-books to public libraries and is how the Peru Library is able to provide e-books to our patrons. Penguin is the latest major American publisher (Hachette, HarperCollins, MacMillian, Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster) to restrict purchase of e-books by libraries for patron borrowing, Penguin Severs Ties with OverDrive.

Only one of the major publishers, Random House, continues to allowing unrestricted loans for e-books purchased by libraries. (HarperCollins restricts eBooks to 26 loans for libraries.)

For now, this means the Peru Public Library will not be able to purchase e-books of authors such as Robert Crais, Nevada Barr, Laurell K. Hamilton, Jayne Ann Krentz, Daniel Silva among others for our e-book collection. Please bear with us as we seek access and resolution to this situation with Penguin and other publishers.