555 North La Grange Road., La Grange Park, IL 60526 | (708)-352-0100

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm

Kids

Our YouTube Channel is under construction this summer but be sure to enjoy some of our previously recorded programs!

Summer Reading Program – Rebuild & Read!

Join our summer reading program, Rebuild & Read! The program runs from June 1-July 31. You can download a kids log (Ages 2 years old-6th grade) or a baby log, or pick them up at our Children’s Services Desk. Kids can also track their progress and receive raffle tickets using our online system. Use this link to register:  Rebuild and Read You can also watch our summer reading video for more info.

Summer Fun!

Chalk Your Walk
Before our library undergoes construction, we want you to draw our building using chalk so we can always remember the way it looked. Pick up your kit from the Children’s Services Department while supplies last. Take a picture of your chalk drawing and email us a photo at childrens@lplibrary.org. Include the child’s name, age, and phone number. At the end of summer, three winners will be chosen! Program runs June 1 through July 31. For ages 2 years old-6th grade.

 

Around Town Scavenger Hunt
Get out and explore with our Around Town Scavenger Hunt! Check our Facebook page each Tuesday in June at 9 a.m. for a new video clue, then see if you can recognize the location. Pick up a clue sheet at the Children’s desk or make your own! When you have all 5 answers, visit the Children’s desk for a prize!

Community Caring Cards

Sharing is caring, especially during this challenging time. If you love to write or draw this is the perfect opportunity for you! Sign up to send cards that show you care to our neighborhood seniors at Bethlehem Woods and to the kids at Cards for Hospitalized Kids. Pre-addressed and stamped postcards can be picked up at the library. All you have to do is decorate them and drop them in the mail. 

Grades PreK-6 contact margaret@lplibrary.org to participate.

Grades 7-12 contact samantha@lplibrary.org to partcipate.

Upcoming Events

No event found!
Get a suggestion

Fill out this form and we’ll pick out books and more for you!


    [recaptcha]
     

    Education

    Local Schools

    Homework Help

    Talking Books

    • Talking Book and Braille Service — The Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS) provides audio and braille library service via mail or digital download to any Illinois resident who is unable to read standard print material due to a permanent or temporary visual or physical disability.

    Educational Sites

    Just For Fun

    Webcomics

    Check out these great webcomics for kids! You can read them online for free!

    Breaking Cat News

    This hilarious comic by Georgia Dunn (which is now available in book form also) is inspired by the author’s real cats.

    Audrey’s Magic Nine

    This comic by Michelle Wright, Courtney Huddleston, Francesco Gerbino, and Tracy Bailey post updates three times a week and is great for kids and adults.

    The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo

    This is a webcomic by Drew Weing, about kids exploring the big city and the things they find.

    Ozy and Millie

    Dana Simpson, author of Phoebe and her Unicorn, writes this webcomic featuring a whole cast of quirky animals.

    Cucumber Quest

    This comic by gigi d.g. is about bunny kids going on adventures and having fun.

    The Wormworld Saga

    This comic for older readers by Daniel Lieske is about a boy who finds a painting that transports him to another world. It’s also translated into several different languages on Lieske’s site.

    Safe places to play games and read books online

    And much, much more…

    Booklists
    families together

    Families Together Booklist

    This booklist features resources for children, teens and adults about family separation and how we can help keep families together.

    Caldecott-Medal

    Caldecott Medal & Honor Books

    The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

    Newbery Medal

    Newbery Medal & Honor Books

    The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

    corettascottking

    Coretta Scott King Book Award

    The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

    Batchelder Award

    Mildred L. Batchelder Award

    The Batchelder Award is given to the most outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States.

    Pura Belpre medal copy

    Pura Belpré Medal

    The Pura Belpré Award is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

    Sibert Medal

    Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

    The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year.

    GeiselMedal

    Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel Award

    The Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.

    Stonewall Book Awards

    The Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Stonewall Book Award honors books for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.

    Schneider Family Book Award

    This award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent readers.

    Américas Award

    CLASP (Consortium of Latin American Studies Program) founded the Américas Award in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use.

    apala3

    Asian Pacific American Librarians Literature Awards

    The goal of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature is to honor and recognize individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit.

    ajl3

    Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Book Award

    The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature.

    American Indian Youth Literature Award

    The American Indian Youth Literature Awards are presented every two years. The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.

    Tween Services Webcast

    Children’s Notable Lists

    Each year the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books, recordings, videos and apps.

    We Need Diverse Books

    We Need Diverse Books™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a grassroots organization of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry. Our aim is to help produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.

    Walter Award

    The Walter Award

    The Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature, also known as “The Walter,” celebrates the legacy of author Walter Dean Myers (1937-2014). naugurated in 2016, the annual Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children’s Literature recognize diverse authors (or co-authors) whose works feature diverse main characters and address diversity in a meaningful way.

    South Asia Book Award

    In recent years an increasing number of high-quality children’s and young adult books are published that portray South Asia or South Asians living abroad. To encourage and commend authors and publishers who produce such books, and to provide librarians and teachers with recommendations for educational use, the South Asia National Outreach Consortium (SANOC) will offer a yearly book award to call attention to outstanding works on South Asia.

    Latinxs in Kid Lit

    Exploring the world of Latinx Young Adult, Middle Grade and Children’s literature.

    Meet the Children’s Team

    Rose Hopkins-LaRocco

    Children’s Services Director

    Miss Rose has spent a good amount of her life in libraries. Her grandmother was a librarian and in high school, Miss Rose’s first job was as a page at her local library. She strayed briefly to receive a degree in Theater at Columbia College Chicago and work in children’s theater, but she always came back to the library. Some of Miss Rose’s favorite books are the Harry Potter series (don’t ask her to pick a favorite book from the series unless you want to have a really long conversation ;-), When I Reach You by Rebecca Stead, Dinosaur Kisses by David Ezra Stein, and Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler & R. Gregory Christie.

    Margaret Whalen-Stec

    Children’s Services Librarian

    Before coming to The La Grange Park Library, Ms. Margaret worked in a bookstore and taught first grade for several years. She believes being a children’s librarian is the perfect mix of her two favorite things: books and children! Working in the library has been a great opportunity to use her teaching experience for planning story times, after school programs and reader’s advisory skills. She really enjoys connecting young readers to new books and developing their passion for reading. Some of her favorite childhood stories include: Millions of Cats, The Little House, The Secret Garden, James and the Giant Peach and Mouse Tales.

    Christina McPhail

    Children’s Services Assistant

    Miss Christina has spent most of her life with a book in her hand. As a child, she would walk to the library almost every day, searching for a new story to read. Not much has changed since then, except that now she gets to help children find new stories that they will love! Her favorite children’s books are Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz and Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea. When she’s not reading a book, Miss Christina enjoys playing guitar and relaxing with her cat, Olive.

    Lydia Raabe

    Children’s Services Assistant

    Miss Lydia is happy to be a part of the La Grange Park Library community! She has always loved reading and spending time in the library. Now, she encourages kids to be curious, to try new things, and to get excited about learning. Miss Lydia likes reading graphic novels, books with courageous female characters, and anything that will make her laugh! Two of her favorites are A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Wendell the Narwhal by Emily Dove. Outside of the library, Miss Lydia likes making arts ‘n’ crafts, hiking with her dog Daisy, and trying new vegetarian recipes.

    Sam Prado

    Children’s Services Assistant

    Miss Sam comes from Summit Public Library District. She loves working in a library setting where she can interact with children and assist those who need help finding a book! Her favorite childhood books included Amelia Bedelia, Junie B. Jones, and Judy Moody. When Sam is not at the library, she enjoys painting, working on fun DIY projects, walking her dog, and watching movies. She is very excited to be a part of the Children’s Department at La Grange Park Public Library.