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Our Collection

Our holdings include books, audiobooks on CD and Playaway, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, e-books and e-audiobooks.

Patrons may check out any number of books, audiobooks, Playaways, music CDs and magazines for a three-week loan period. New adult books check out for two weeks. New-release DVDs check out for three days. All other DVDs check out for two weeks. E-resources check out for two weeks and are limited to five items on OverDrive/Libby and five items on Axis360.

Patrons are invited to use public computers to access the internet and print, enjoy free WIFI service, view a library exhibit, research local and family history in the Hudson History Room, or attend one of the library’s many events.

Our staff is here to help! Let us know if you have any questions.

Public Computers/Printing/Faxing

Eight computers are open to the public that provide Microsoft Office, internet access, and printing. We do not charge for the first 5 pages of black and white printing. Additional black and white printing is 10 cents per page. Color printing is 50 cents per page.

The library’s photocopier/fax machine is also available to the public. Black and white copies are 10 cents per page. Color copies are 50 cents per page.

Fax service is $1 per page. If the recipient you need to send your fax to has an email address, your document may be emailed directly from our copy machine. Emailing your document is fast, reliable, and free.

The library now has a dedicated Print-from-Mobile copier. Connect your wireless device to the copier’s built-in WIFI network and you’re ready to print. Black and white copies are 10 cents per page. Color copies are 50 cents per page.

Mobile Hot Spots and Rokus

A hot spot is a portable device that provides Wi-Fi internet access to computers, phones, or tablets. They connect to 4G LTE speeds through a cellular network. Library hot spots come with unlimited data and can connect up to 10 devices at a time. So, if you want a reliable internet connection for your devices on vacation or don’t have interet at home and have a project to work on, hot spots are a great option. Our hot spots work anywhere in the U.S. where there is T-mobile coverage.

You must be 18 or older and a Hudson patron to check out a hot spot.
7-day checkout, no renewals.
Available on a first come, first served basis.
1 hot spot checkout per household per month
Hot spots are deactivated if overdue.
If lost or damaged, a $40 charge will be added to the patron’s account.

The library has seven Roku streaming devices, each subscribed to a different premium service: AppleTV, Curiosity Stream, HBOMax, Hulu & Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+, and Peacock.

You must be 18 or older and a Hudson patron to check out a Roku.
7-day checkout, no renewals.
Holds may be placed on Rokus.
Only one Roku may be checked out at a time.
Passwords are changed and devices logged out when overdue.
If lost or damaged, a $40 charge will be added to the patron’s account.

Get a Card

A Hudson Area Public Library card is issued free of charge to anyone living in the library’s district, which includes all of Hudson, unincorporated Normal, the Lake Bloomington area, and areas around Money Creek. Individuals living outside the library’s district in an unserviced area, please call the library for information about non-resident cards, the Cards for Kids program, and cards for veterans.

How to Get Your Card

Please fill out our online registration form, then come to the library and show a staff member a photo ID with a current address. If your photo ID does not have your current address, please also provide us with a piece of mail, lease agreement, or real estate tax bill to confirm your address. Our staff will prepare a card for you and you will be able to check out right away. Patrons must be 5 or older to receive a library card. Children between the ages of 5 and 13 must have a parent’s signature to obtain a library card. All patrons 14 and older are given full adult borrowing privileges.

Where Your Card Can Be Used

Your card may be used at Bloomington Public Library, Normal Public Library, all Resource Sharing Alliance (RSA) public libraries, and any other public library in Illinois. Your card may also be used to download e-books and audiobooks. Library cards are valid for three years. When your library card expires, you may come to the library to renew it or phone us at (309)726-1103. We honor all cards from public libraries in the state of Illinois.

Visiting the Online Catalog

Visit the online catalog by clicking “Search Catalog” in the main menu. Here you can search for items at our library as well as all the libraries in the Resource Sharing Alliance. You can manage your account, renew items, and place items on hold. To log in to the online catalog you will need your library card number found on the back of your card and your PIN.

You can also visit the online catalog through the RSAcat mobile app. Download the free app from your app store and log in with your library card number and PIN. With the RSAcat mobile app you can browse the catalog, place holds, renew items, and link your family’s accounts all in one place.

How to Get Your PIN

Your PIN is a randomly assigned four-digit number attached to your library card when you register for it that allows you access to the online catalog. If you do not know your PIN, please call the library and we will reset it for you. You may change your PIN by visiting “My Account” in the online catalog or calling the library.

How to Place a Hold

You may place a hold in the online catalog by clicking “Search Catalog” in the main menu. Log in to your account with your library card number and PIN and search for the item you wish to place a hold on. If the item is available click the “Place Hold” button and select your pick up location. Click “Place Hold” again. We will call you when your item is available for pick up.

How to Renew Borrowed Items

Patrons may renew items in person, over the phone, or through the online catalog. All library materials except new DVDs may be renewed if the item is not on hold for another patron. Please call (309)726-1103 to renew by phone. To renew online, log in to your account by clicking “Search Catalog” in the main menu.

How to Sign Up for Texting Service

Get library notices and renew items via text message! When you sign up for text message service, the library will text you about your available holds and items that are due. You’ll be able to reply to renew items and check your account. View instructions to sign up for RSAcat Text Message Service.

Library Fines

Hudson Area Public Library is a fine-free institution. We do not collect fines for overdue library materials. Replacement costs for lost or damaged items still apply.

For more information, call the library at (309) 726-1103.

Library Services