Books and Media

New Materials List

New and available in April 2025 as a printable list! Favorite author announced a new book? Put upcoming releases on hold in advance of their purchase! Find them at the end of the New Materials list.

eNewsletters

Get newest book titles by email once a month; you tell us what genre to send. (PPL does NOT share email information)

Get started by selecting your newsletters

Suggest a Purchase

Use when a new title is not in our catalog. (We do not purchase self-published materials.) Allow up to 4 weeks to process a request.

Book Groups

Next Chapter

Mostly fiction titles in this Adult Book Group. Meet the 1st Monday of the month (excluding holidays) at 2 pm, and again at 6:30 pm; attend whichever fits your schedule this month. New members can get a book at the Information Desk.

Book Lovers

Library Outreach - This community group meets every other month at Pekin Park District's Miller Center. Pick up a book at the Miller Center and discuss it the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30.

Adult Reading Challenge

Join our adult reading challenge to help reach your reading goal! Each month, read a book matching our reading challenge prompt and receive a small prize. Complete 8 of the 12 reading challenges for a special prize in December! Pick up your reading log anytime at the front desk starting January 2nd!

Next Chapter

Mostly fiction titles in this Adult Book Group. Meet the 1st Monday of the month (excluding holidays) at 2 pm, and again at 6:30 pm; attend whichever fits your schedule this month. New members can get a book at the Information Desk.

Book Lovers

Library Outreach - This community group meets every other month at Pekin Park District's Miller Center. Pick up a book at the Miller Center and discuss it the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30.

No Meetings Book Club

Starting the 1st day of the month, books can be picked up at the lobby desk and checked out to your card. When finished reading, give library staff your returned book and comment slip. As long as you read the book and have an opinion, you are in the book club!

Find Your Next Good Read

The Database Librarians Use

Reading recommendations based on a title or author you like, subject, genre or appeal factors. Login with your library card number (Patron ID)

Book Packs

A "Personal Librarian" service. You tell us what you like, and we create a pack of books for your reading pleasure.

eBooks, eAudio, and Movie Streaming

Have an entire library at your fingertips when you borrow, use, and return digital materials at anytime, from anywhere. Apps require a login (your library card number) and your PIN. Having problems? Bring your device and we will help!

DETERMINE WHAT APP IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR DEVICE

Libby App eBooks & eAudio

Alliance Digital Media Library

Faster & Easier! Download App:
iOS 9+ Download at App Store
Android 4.4+ at Google Play
Windows 10+ at the Microsoft Store

Use App to Read, Hold and Renew; Checkout up to 5 items at a time with automatic returns, so you’ll never have a late fee!

Boundless eBooks & eAudio

Boundless (replacing Axis360) is Baker & Taylor’s digital service for libraries providing:

Ebooks and audio access
Streaming videos
PDF activities as well as video books
Hit your personal reading goals and earn badges!
View specially curated carousels and digital content based on reading activity and interests!

Download App(s):
iOS Download from App Store
Android Download from Google Play
Amazon App for KindleFire 3rd generation +

kanopy

Kanopy streaming service for
ad-free quality movies, documentaries, foreign films, independent films and educational videos.

Library card holders get 15 tickets per month plus unlimited streaming for Kanopy Kids

Search our e-Catalogs

Cardholder Benefits

Access free/discounted tickets to museums, science centers, zoos, park districts, theaters, and other local cultural venues with your library card.

Online creation & publishing tools for local writers who share their material digitally. Collection includes the Indie Illinois e-book collection and the RAILS Community Collections multimedia anthologies. Read in your browser, or create an account to download.