All libraries in DeKalb County are allowing abuse victims to use their Internet services to fill out applications for protection orders.

The protection order form, otherwise known as a restraining order, is a law binding document that allows a person to request the protection of the court and makes it so a person must keep a certain distance away from another individual, according to stopdomesticabuse.org. If a person breaks the protection order, he or she will be punished by the law.

“It allows people to come to the library and fill out the forms,” said Jim Kline, library clerk at Genoa Public Library, 232 W. Main St. in Genoa. “The library provides a safe atmosphere for abuse victims to complete the application.”

In order to complete the process, the applicant must go to the county circuit clerk’s office and sign the form.

“Why the library?” said Dee Coover, head librarian at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. “Because we are open long hours and provide a neutral setting for anyone to fill out the form.”

In many situations, abuse victims either do not have Internet access at home or do not feel safe filling out the application at home, Kline said.

“Sycamore and other libraries in DeKalb County have agreed to add a link to our website,” said Larry Zevnik, head of adult services at the Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St. in Sycamore. “We will also offer access to the emergency order of protection form from our database computer that does not require a patron to log in with a library card, so non-card holders can utilize the service.”

For more information about the emergency order for protection program, visit www.dekalbda.org.