We understand how much of a challenge this COVID-19 crisis is for families. We want you to know that we care about you and will try and support you with our remote library services. Check our social media for ideas on how to make learning from home fun, as well as some awesome ebooks and… Read More
Counting is an essential early learning skill. You can help your children gain awareness of numbers and their order, as well as how they relate to objects, by doing activities around the home like: Sorting items and then counting the piles: you can use a pack of M&Ms or Skittles or gummies, sort them into… Read More
My kiddos love books. (Yay!) However, they can be pretty rough on them. Much to my chagrin, we’ve had some covers torn off and pages colored on. We were recently gifted with a set of books from the Indestructibles series, and I am HOOKED! They are rip proof, waterproof, and lightweight; in other words, the… Read More
“I’m reading to my kid’s class. What book should I pick?” This is a common question we get at the Youth Desk, and a fun one! It’s an invitation for us to gush about our favorite books. We understand the pressure you’re under. Your child may think you’re an awesome bedtime storyteller, but there’s more… Read More
This time of year, the days are cold, the nights are long, and the kids spend too much time indoors - playing video games, watching TV, or complaining they are bored. This is the perfect time to pull out a deck of cards or some board games and declare a Family Game Night. There are… Read More
Valentine’s Day is a great time to celebrate love for your whole family. Have your kids make a gift for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, or another loved one. Work together to create a frame in which the kids can either put a photograph of themselves or a self-drawn picture. Get started by attending “Picture Me… Read More
January may have felt like it was 85 days long, but guess what…we have an extra day in February too! We only have February 29, or Leap Day, every four years. Why? The calendar needs an extra day to align with Earth’s rotation around the sun. Without this extra day, we’d lose approximately five hours… Read More
The Go-Go’s sang it best in their song, "Vacation": “Vacation, all I ever wanted Vacation, had to get away” According to the Oxford English Dictionary: A vacation is an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home or traveling. A staycation is a vacation spent in one's home country rather than… Read More
Today, January 21, is National Hugging Day. If you are like me, you might be surprised to find out that hugs have their own day. Now this doesn’t mean hugs are only good to give or receive one day a year. Did you know that hugging has both physiological and psychological benefits? Actual Scientific Benefits… Read More
Every year, we are excited to see which children's books will earn coveted nominations for the Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King book awards. The American Library Association announces the winners at their midwinter meeting on the last Monday in January, and children's librarians across the country shout with glee when their favorites are chosen!… Read More
JANUARY Expand your reading choices Make a resolution this year to read more diversely in 2020. Sure, check out those well-loved favorites, but add some new genres and authors, too. From board books to older fiction, there are great authors to be discovered. Here are just a few (ask at the Youth Desk for more… Read More
I love living near Chicago. We’re so lucky to be a frequent stop on world tours for popular artists and performers. My favorite thing to do is experience Broadway in Chicago—Hamilton, anyone? Chicago’s home to famous museums and other historical landmarks. In 2020, I’m looking forward to seeing world famous art right here in Glen… Read More
