Sarah Fuchs has been a resident of Bartlett for 31 years. It’s where she grew up, where she met her husband, and where they raised their family. Part of the reason why she and her family love Bartlett so much also has to do with the Bartlett Public Library District.

“The library provides enrichment opportunities for kids aside from school,” Sarah said. “Librarians are some of the best teachers for early childhood development.”

A Life Filled with Great Books: The Winner of Our Winter Reading Program Shares Her Secret

Sarah Brimer, winner of the library’s Winter Reading grand prize drawing for an iPad, can finish a book in two days.

Sarah, who moved to Northbrook from New York three years ago to live with her daughter, is 102 years old. She quips that for someone her age, reading is about the only hobby she can indulge in.

“First of all, I’m an old lady. What else can I do? I can’t run around the block!”

In a small town with no regular activities or entertainment opportunities, the library is a place to meet your new best friend. There are many kids between the ages of 8 and 13 who meet at the library after school and during the summer to play their favorite computer games together. As the noise levels increase, so do the friendships. They celebrate Fortnite victories together and teach each other strategies for new games. These are the kids who have internet at home but don't often have someone home with them.

Linda Swan’s home movie from a 1972 trip to Norway has been brought into the Digital Age.

Shot on Super 8 film, Linda no longer has to worry about deterioration over time – or her projector breaking – because she’s converting her movies using equipment at Schaumburg Library.

“We have movies from when I was a kid, movies from the ‘50s through the ‘90s,” Linda said. “What I’m finding is that even though they’re old, they transfer beautifully.”

In February, more than 200 teens came to Schaumburg Township District Library in hopes of landing their first job. The Library gathered local businesses looking to hire teens, provided experts to give teens tips on improving their resumes and interviewing skills, and made it simple for teens to connect with potential employers.

The best part about the Teen Job Fair? Teens got hired!