Holiday closings...
| Christmas Eve
Friday, December 24
Christmas Day
Saturday, December 25
New Year's Eve
December 31
5:00pm closing
New Years Day
January 1
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Please note...
| Online registration for Library programs now requires a current library card from
Skokie Public Library or a registered card from your home library.
If you do not have a Skokie Public Library card
or another card with current borrowing privileges, please call the contact number listed and a member of our staff will be happy to
sign you up.
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Join the conversation
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The Explorer
Your library's blog for kids and their grown-ups!
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| Don't miss out!
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Find out what's happening @your Library before it happens!
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Greetings!
It's been a great fall full of children, teachers, and books! I've shared stories with 32 classes from nine preschools, and almost 50 teachers attended the Get Excited About Science! workshop with Steve Belliveau. Helping you reach the children of our community is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Let's continue this winter!
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| Preschool Fair Registration | |
 It's time to register for our 8th annual Preschool and Child Care Fair. Once again, Morton Grove Public Library and area preschools will be joining us. Put together your best display, photocopy your registration forms, and bring your happy face to Skokie Public Library on Tuesday, February 1 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to meet prospective students and connect with other early childhood professionals. Light sandwiches will be provided and volunteers will meet you in the east drive to help you unload your vehicle.
Please check the accuracy of your school's information on SkokieNet and then register at your earliest convenience.
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| Library Closed. Books Open. |  The Library will be closed on Friday, December 10, 2010 for staff training. On that day, Library materials may still be returned to the outside book drops on the south side of the Library.
Even though the physical Library will be closed, the digital library will still be open! You may download eBooks and eAudiobooks with your Skokie Public Library Card on any day at any time. Other digital media also available from the Library's website includes Music Online and TumbleBooks.
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Reading Clubs
|  Preschool Reading Patch Club
Announcing a brand new reading club for preschoolers! Three-to five-year-olds may now join the Preschool Reading Patch Club and earn up to four colorful, embroidered patches by listening to 50 books per patch. When the children graduate from preschool they can move right into our school-age Reading Patch Club, earning a specific genre patch for every 10 books read. Both clubs run year-round. Download a reading log or visit the Youth Services Desk or the Bookmobile to get started.
Winter Reading Club: Take the Reading Challenge!
January 9 through February 20
Youth Services invites children in kindergarten through 8th grade to participate in a winter reading boot camp. Those who take on the challenge must read four books of choice and one nonfiction book about health, exercise, or nutrition. The extremely active are dared to checkout a fitness or dance DVD and get moving! Every child that completes the program receives a sports bag compliments of Skokie Hospital, Evanston Subaru, Westfield Old Orchard, and Skokie Public Library. Register in person beginning January 9. |
Family Programs
| Family Fun @ Your Library: Gingerbread Village
Tuesday, December 28 at 10:00am
Join us for what has become an annual event. Last year we built a gingerbread train, and this year you can help us build a gingerbread village. Registration is not required.
Family Fun @ Your Library: New Year's Eve Extravaganza
Friday, December 31 at 11:30am
We will get a jump on celebrating and ring in the New Year at noon. Join us for a craft, a countdown to "midnight," and a family team challenge game show with Brian Wismer. For families with children ages 2 to 7. Registration is required and begins December 1.
Staley the Bear Meet and Greet
Sunday, January 9 at 3:00pm
Staley the Bear, the official mascot of the Chicago Bears, is coming to the Library to help kick off our winter reading club. Be sure to bring your camera for a photo op. Registration is not required.
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| Programs for Adults | Facebook Basics
Monday, December 13 at 7:00pm
Wondering what the Facebook fuss is all about? Join us for a lecture-based class that explores the social networking phenomenon. Learn how to set up an account, navigate the site, find friends, upload photos, and manage privacy settings. Registration is required and begins December 1.
The Ins and Outs of Online Shopping
Thursday, December 16 at 7:00pm
Shopping online can be fast, fun, and convenient! Learn guidelines for shopping safely online and get tips on great sites for browsing, finding product reviews, and making purchases. This will be a lecture-based class. Registration is required and begins December 1.
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| Special Author Event | A Special Book Reading with Grace Lin
Tuesday, January 25 from 10:30 to 11:30am
 Award-winning author Grace Lin will present a very special program for preschoolers. She will share one of her many charming picture books and show the children how she draws her incredible illustrations. Books will be available for sale and autographing at the end of the presentation. Learn more about Grace Lin on her website.
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Teachers Toolbox
| Book Links: Pebble Plus Books
Capstone Press publishes these slightly oversized nonfiction books with simple text and large photographs. Choose from topics such as dinosaurs, seasons, construction, keeping healthy, and more. At only 24 pages per book, they are perfect for emergent readers or for reading aloud to young children.
Web Links: Literacy Center Education Center
The Literacy Center is a non-profit organization that creates free educational material for preschool children. Choose online activities or printable worksheet lessons on colors, letters, numbers, shapes, or words in English, Spanish, German, or French. Using a step-by-step approach with three levels for every lesson, children can work independently to play and learn.
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Holly's Helpful Hints
| If I've ever had the opportunity to share stories with your students, you know I always begin with the song "The More We Get Together." I enjoy using sign language with kids because ASL is a visual language, just as the written word is also visual. Using sign language helps kids connect the dots between spoken language and written language. Plus, it's just plain fun! This month, I've posted a video of my favorite song using a few simple signs.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Warmly,
Holly Jin
Preschool Services Coordinator |
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