Altamont Public Library
🏢 Illinois Heartland Library System · ALTAMONT, Illinois
Altamont Public Library
The Altamont Public Library sits at the heart of a small Effingham County city that wears its motto proudly — "Small enough to care, large enough to serve." From its home on West Washington Avenue, the library extends that same spirit to every reader who walks through its doors.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 1pm–6pm |
| Tuesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Wednesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–1pm |
| Friday | 2pm–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–1pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 121 WEST WASHINGTON AVENUE, ALTAMONT, IL 62411
Phone: +1618-483-5457
Website: altamontpubliclibrary.com
Plus Code: 86FH3762+46 (ALTAMONT, IL)
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Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Altamont Public Library
Altamont became a city in 1901 and today is home to about 2,200 residents in east-central Illinois, within easy reach of Interstate 70 and the historic National Road (U.S. 40). The public library at 121 West Washington Avenue reflects the community's character: a quiet, welcoming place staffed by people who know their patrons by name. The collection spans books, DVDs, and reference materials, while genealogy resources make it a destination for family historians researching Effingham County roots. Interlibrary loan through the Illinois Heartland Library System connects Altamont cardholders to millions of additional titles across downstate Illinois. The library participates in the SHARE Mobile Library network, giving cardholders app-based access to digital holdings. Non-residents may borrow for an annual fee of $60 per family, and most books circulate for 14 days, with DVDs and videos loaning for 7 days.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Free interlibrary loan through Illinois Heartland Library System
- Genealogy resources for Effingham County family history research
- SHARE Mobile Library app for digital access
- Books circulate 14 days; DVDs 7 days
- Located in Altamont, home of the Dr. Charles M. Wright House (NRHP) and Ballard Nature Center
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Altamont cardholders access digital titles through the SHARE Illinois consortium and statewide databases.
📚 Services
- Free interlibrary loan
- Genealogy research collection
- Book and DVD checkout
- Online catalog access
- Electronic equipment access (fee-based)
- SHARE Mobile Library app access
- Reference assistance
🎸 Programs
- Children's reading programs
- Summer Reading Program
- Community events
📍 Nearby Libraries in East-Central Illinois
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I borrow books from the Altamont Public Library if I live outside city limits?
Yes. City residents borrow free; families living outside city limits can purchase an annual card for $60. Illinois reciprocal borrowing may also apply — ask staff about eligibility if you hold a card from another Illinois library.
Does the library have genealogy resources for researching Effingham County history?
Yes. The library maintains a genealogy collection that is particularly useful for tracing family roots in Effingham County and the surrounding region of east-central Illinois. Staff can help you navigate local records, county histories, and interlibrary loan requests for materials held elsewhere.
What is the Illinois Heartland Library System and how does it benefit Altamont patrons?
The Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) is the regional library cooperative serving downstate Illinois. Through IHLS, Altamont patrons can request interlibrary loans from hundreds of member libraries at no charge, and access the SHARE shared catalog and mobile app for digital borrowing.
Are there nature or cultural attractions near the library in Altamont?
Yes. Just outside Altamont is the Ballard Nature Center, a 217-acre natural preserve open to the public since 2000 with walking trails and wildlife habitat. The city also features the Dr. Charles M. Wright House, an 1889 Victorian mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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