Clothing donations for Popular Creek Public Library.

Pins & Needles Group Stitches Poplar Creek Community Together

12 February 2021
Dan Bostrom
Comments: 0

At first, I thought our knitting and crochet group, Pins & Needles, was just group of good friends who liked to get together, knit and chat.  It turns out that that's not all the ladies come for and it's not even their only goal. 

I came to find out they have created hundreds of assorted warm items for our community. This group of seniors used to meet weekly here at the Poplar Creek Public Library and in several of our community centers or local cafes. About a year ago, all that changed. Though rest assured, these ladies did what they do best - kept calm and crocheted on. When...

Bing Boxes at Carol Stream PL

My Library Is…. Creating Enthusiastic Fans

11 February 2021
Stacy Palmisano
Comments: 0

Amid the chaos and stress of the past year, my library has found a way to establish personal relationships with patrons and create an enthusiastic fandom—and boost collection use at the same time.

Since September 2019, our Binge Box service has provided personalized book selections to people of all ages, along with treats and gifts to brighten the recipient’s day. Full credit for the basic idea goes to our former Youth Services Librarian Laura Spradlin. Binge Boxes were originally designed for middle schoolers as a cross between the ideas of teen book subscriptions and binge-watch...

Story by Claire Crawford on Feb 10, 2021

10 February 2021
Claire Crawford
Comments: 0

The Geneseo Public Library District has partnered with the Geneseo Art League to have our own "Dewey" the Library Cat!  We love the design and creativity

of this cat!  Many of our patrons are allergic to cats so we found the perfect answer - a beautifully designed library cat!  

Adult craft kit: lovebird string art.

Tapping Into the Creativity with Adult Craft Kits

10 February 2021
Dan Bostrom
Comments: 1

When I arrived at Warrenville Public Library back in 2018, I wanted to explore the benefits of active engagement and library outreach via creative programming and art.  We already had a very popular and highly anticipated arts programs series for kids. Time and time again I would hear from parents who wished we also offered craft programs geared towards adults, they wanted in on the fun. In 2019, I set out to fill this need and pitched a casual pop-up program for adults. We made aromatic envelop sachets, paper roses and painted rocks. Due to increased interest, what began as a pop-up event...

Elders of the Internet video featuring Nick Offerman.

Talking Points for Why Libraries Are Needed in the Age of the Internet

9 February 2021
Dan Bostrom
Comments: 0

The following talking points can be used by library staff when faced with the question: Why do I need the library when I have the internet? They can easily be adapted to fit any situation that might arise in an academic, public, school, or specialized library. 

The talking points can be used separately or in conjunction with the Elders of the Internet video, starring actor Nick Offerman. For example, after each talking point, you can ask if the person you are speaking with has seen the video and invite them to view it on your...

AG bag kit

Paw Paw Public Library District offers Ag in the Classroom Bags

4 February 2021
Stacy Palmisano
Comments: 0

At the end of last September, my co-worker Kathy, who also works at Big Rock Library in Big Rock, told me about an activity they were offering. She said, the Hinckley Big Rock High School FFA with help from the DeKalb County Farm Bureau had make up activity kits for kids about apples and were being offered for free to the local kids. She showed me a kit and what it contained and I knew I wanted to do the same thing for the Paw Paw Library.

I called the Lee County Farm Bureau, the county Paw Paw is in, to find out what I could get from them to make up my own kits. They put me in...

Lisle Library District seed library.

Grow with Lisle Library District’s Seed Library

1 February 2021
Dan Bostrom
Comments: 0

In 2014, the Lisle Library District became one of the first public libraries in Illinois to offer a Seed Library to its patrons. The Village of Lisle is home to The Morton Arboretum and PrairieWalk Pond, among other outdoor attractions, and it was in keeping with the Village’s love of outdoor spaces that this project was created.

LLD offers an assortment of seeds, including varieties of beans, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, herbs, and flowers, and in recent years, the offerings have expanded to include plants that provide nectar and pollen for native birds,...

Play-aways on shelf

Flossmoor Public Library is Finding Creative Ways to Adapt

27 January 2021
Stacy Palmisano
Comments: 0

In March 2020, the Flossmoor Public Library was getting ready to go fine free.  We were adding to our collection, to introduce Play-aways, because they had not really been a heavily requested item by our patrons until that winter.  We had great in-person programming and a wide collection of materials to check out, both in person and electronically.  We were introducing board games to give variety to our collection.

Then…we had to pivot.  We needed to reach our patrons from afar.  We needed to check in with them and meet their needs, all while trying to figure out how to safely meet...

Northern Illinois Library lockers.

Lockers Aren't Just for Gym Shoes

25 January 2021
Dan Bostrom
Comments: 1

The University Libraries at Northern Illinois University quickly pivoted to low- and no-contact services to respond to the pandemic. Many academic libraries were well positioned for such actions. We have emphasized innovative practices for years in order to meet and exceed the expectations of our tech-savvy users. Creative thinking was especially useful because I-Share, the statewide resource sharing network for academic libraries, was “shut down” for some time, especially in the earliest weeks of the pandemic.

Academic libraries continue to devise ways to get materials needed for...

Scott Zella

Gingerbread House Decorating Days at The Henderson County Public Library District

21 January 2021
Stacy Palmisano
Comments: 1

This year we celebrated 20 years of building and decorating gingerbread houses at the Henderson County Public Library District!!  Back in 2000 the library director (I was the assistant library director in 2000) attended a class at Fondulac PLD to learn how to build a gingerbread house and the list of candy to purchase.  She then came back to our library and held the first gingerbread house decorating days with just 15 attending.

As COVID-19 began and changes had to be made, we decided to build the gingerbread houses and make them as kits to take home and decorate. But.....would...

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