Back to school means more trips to the library and I, for one, am all for it. When I was a kid, the smell of fall in the air became almost synonymous with after-school library visits with my sister and our grandpa. We’d spend hours choosing that week’s precious checkouts, then devour them until the due date arrived.
The library remains a gem of a resource. Perhaps even more so these days, thanks to the multitude of programs, activities and events designed for kids of all ages. Here’s a quick look at what your family can look forward to during a visit to a north suburban library.
Northbrook Public Library
From 3-D printing classes to art events for the family, the programs at Northbrook’s library will appeal to the film critic, tech lover, budding magician and more. Learn what it’s like to live in a different country through the GlobeTrotters series, or enjoy live music the first Friday of every month. Movie buffs can catch a film in the auditorium, including classic favorites accompanied by live piano.
1201 Cedar Lane
847-272-6224
Glenview Public Library
Did someone say “games?” Whether it’s building blocks for tots or puzzles and board games for older kids, the Glenview library is ready to help you reinvent game night at home. Check out your favorites for a week (which, let’s face it, is about when kids lose interest in new games, anyway). Enjoy regular special performances like puppet shows, movie matinees and storywalks––seasonal stories read aloud as listeners walk, skip or bike along a trail.
1930 Glenview Road
847-729-7500
Highland Park Public Library
If you’ve got a Minecraft fan in the house, Highland Park’s library will soon be their second home. From junior level to advanced, kids can interact with fellow players to build new worlds, survive adventures and even build their own code. Other kinds of science abound here, too. Check out the library’s “Introduction to Electronic Circuits” class, which involves basic instruction plus hands-on experiments with simple electronic components.
494 Laurel Avenue
847-432-0216
Princess parties, take-home crafts, no-bake cooking classes for teens––the library in Deerfield can keep your family busy. Younger elementary-age kids will love after-school stories, while older students can hang out at Comics Club, serve on the Teen Advisory Board or get help with ACT prep and college-admission essays. Parents will also find a variety of classes and activities for themselves, from painting and book clubs to poetry night.
920 Waukegan Road
847-945-3311
