Winter Reading Club
There's "Snow Better Time to Read" than when the days are shorter and the temps are chilly. Make the most of your time at home and read all winter with us!
Register now and log your reading from December 21 to February 28. Complete 20 days of reading, and win a prize book and a ticket for a chance to win a bonus prize. Read 40 days and receive a second ticket.
Read more on how to sign up here.
Winter Scavenger Hunt
The weather outside may be frightful but “there’s snow” reason to stay cooped up all winter. Enjoy activities indoors and outside with this winter scavenger hunt.
Download the game sheet below (printed copies also available in a holder outside the library). Answer two questions in each of the four categories on Beanstack from December 21 to January 31, the same program to log your Winter Reading Club progress, to complete the hunt. Challenge yourself to see how many of the questions you can answer! Do the suggested activities for more winter fun!
You will receive a small prize for completing (prizes available after January 6) and be entered into a drawing for a bonus prize. 
Please remember to be safely distanced and dress warmly while outside.
Winter Scavenger Hunt Game Sheet
Book Bundles
Want a number of books for your toddler or young reader? The Children's Department has created Grab & Go Bundles, a preselected group of books by age or reading level.
Bundles are available for toddlers and preschoolers (2 & 3 year-olds or 4 & 5 year-olds) and early readers (A & B beginning reading levels or C & D more advanced reading levels).
Fill out the form (link below) and we'll create a Grab & Go bundle for your child for Contact Free Pickup.
Please note that book bundles are only available for PRPL cardholders
due to Contact Free Pickup restrictions.
Family Activities
Pick-Me-Up Craft Kits
Pick one up when you pick up your holds during Contact-Free Pickup.
We will introduce a new craft every other Tuesday!
January 12 - Felt Snowman Craft 
If sheltering at home has gotten you down, we’ve got just the thing to pick you back up! Stop by to grab one of our Pick-Me-Up Crafts to bust that boredom and shorten the screen time. Using a contact-free pickup method, we provide the basic supplies and plans, you provide the creativity and stellar crafting skills (maybe some glue).
- Crafts will be available on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Coloring sheets or other crafts may be available when supplies of the biweekly craft run out.
- Look for the blue cart by the Contact Free Pickup table. If the cart is not out, we're all out of the craft.
- Kits include the special supplies needed, but you may still need some basics from home like glue, tape, scissors, crayons, etc.
- Use your best social distancing behavior, and wear your mask!
- Caregivers, please take one kit per child in your caregiving unit.
Share your creations with us on Facebook, Instagram @prplkids or by email at prkchild@prpl.org.
Need a book for a homework project? Or doing research for a paper? We’re here to help.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
- Find your book in our online catalog.
- Place your book on hold through a holds request or by logging into your account.
- Pick it up through Contact-Free Pickup.
If you can't find the right book in the catalog, check out our e-books and e-audiobooks on Axis360, Hoopla, and Overdrive/Libby. To find these, visit our E-books and Downloadables page. Need help finding a good book to read? Get book recommendations through a Book Match or check out our Kids Booklists.
We also have a variety of online resources covering a wide array of topics. From biographies on important people in history (Biography in Context) to in-depth science articles (Science in Context) and live homework help (Tutor.com) to math activity sheets (Teachables), find these and much more on our Homework Help page and our databases for kids.
If you need some help from the Children’s Department staff to find the right book or resource, you can email us at prkchild@prpl.org or contact our Virtual Help Desk via our "Ask a Children's Librarian" live Chat or by phone at 847-825-4527.
Virtual Help Desk Hours
Monday through Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Recorded Programs