Look to the Park Ridge Library for remote learning support

The Library is offering a new schedule of virtual programs to provide entertainment, resources for remote learners and more stimulating book discussions this fall for patrons of all ages.

“Our local schools are working so incredibly hard to provide access to everything, and the library is here to support the educators and the families by providing those resources while kids are learning from home,” said Youth Services Manager Staci Greenwald. Some of the ways we can provide that support include our physical collection that can be checked out via ‘Grab & Go’ browsing and holds or through our contact-free pickup process; Book Matches to provide personalized book recommendations; online programs for enrichment, entertainment and even exercise like our new Kids’ Yoga Break; and online resources like ebooks and databases.” Greenwald added that the Library subscribes to a number of high quality online resources for students, including WorldBook, Biography in Context, Science in Context, Creativebug, Tutor.com and many more, and they are looking to add more to that collection.

“I think families are going to find a great deal of support in all of these resources this year, whether they’re homeschooling, doing remote learning or have gone back to a regular school setting,” Greenwald said. “Tutor.com in particular connects patrons with a live tutor who will guide you through even the toughest homework challenges. They also will proofread papers and help with resume writing.”

Students learning from home can join a virtual yoga class, teens can talk about their favorite read (required or otherwise) of the summer in a virtual book club, or learn to whip up a snack with the help of a librarian via Zoom.

Details and links to registration for the following upcoming programs for children can be found at www.parkridgelibrary.org/kids/.

• Virtual Book Bites for readers in grades 4 thru 6, Tuesday, September 15 at 4:15 p.m.;
• Kids’ Yoga Break, Mondays at 11 a.m. with Carlie from Sun and Moon Yoga for ages 6 and up.;
• Kids’ Kitchen, Friday, September 18, at 4 p.m.;
• Kid Ink! A Writing Group for Aspiring Authors in grades 3 to 5, September 23 at 4 p.m.;
• Fairy Tale Fun on the Run for ages 3-6 with a caregiver, September 28, 11 a.m.;
• Graphic Novel Book Discussion of ‘The Stonekeeper’ for grades 4 to 6, September 29 at 4:15 p.m.; and
• Virtual Directed Doodles: Bats, October 6, 4 p.m.

For teens needing a break when e-learning or homeschooling is done, there are a variety of programs. Register at www.parkridgelibrary.org/teens/:​

• Virtual VolunTeens: Operation Gratitude, September 16, 4 p.m.;
• Virtual Teen Trivia: Hunger Games, September 17, 4 p.m.;
• Virtual Teen Book Club: The Voting Booth, September 22, 4 p.m.;
• Virtual Middle school Book Club: A Good Kind of Trouble, September 28, 4 – 5 p.m.;
• Virtual Cookin’ with Books: Unofficial Harry Potter Fan’s Cookbook, 4 p.m.; and
• Anti-Racist Reads for Teens: A Guide for Parents and Educators, October 6, 7 p.m.

All programs will take place via Zoom, with link to connect sent to the registrant’s email address.

For the youngest patrons, the Library has a refreshed Storytime Live schedule including Hello, Baby! Storytime, for newborns up to age 2, held every Tuesday beginning September 15 at 11 a.m. The full Storytime Live schedule is online at www.parkridgelibrary.org/storytimes/. Harmonious Horizons music classes resume on Mondays at 11 a.m. beginning September 14, as well.

Expanded building hours begin mid-September

Effective Saturday, September 12, the Library will be open for in-person browsing and drop-in holds pickup on an expanded schedule of Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. The Library’s virtual support desk and Live Chat feature will also be available during these hours.