Calendar

07/20/26 @ 6:30pm - 07/20/26 @ 8:00pm Virtual Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 12/31/1969 @ 6:00pm Registration end: 07/20/2026 @ 6:30pm

VIRTUAL - American Cookbooks: The 10 Most Influential Cookbooks in American History 

Welcome Leslie Goddard back to BPL with a great dip (pun intended) into American History!

Cookbooks have existed as long as our nation has. Among the thousands of American cookbooks published over the past 250 years, a group of them have not only sold well but also profoundly influenced how we cook and eat. This illustrated talk explores ten notable cookbooks that shaped our shared culinary heritage. From the trailblazing work of Fannie Farmer and Irma Rombauer to the innovative explorations of Julia Child and Craig Claiborne, these cookbooks have become milestone bestsellers. Prepare to immerse yourself in the pages of America's favorite cookbooks and discover what they tell us about American Food culture and eating habits.

Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., is an award-winning historian, author, actress and lecturer who has been presenting on topics in American history and women’s history for twenty years. She holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Northwestern University as well as master’s degrees in both museum studies and in theater. A former museum director, she currently works full-time as a public speaker and author. Her presentations have been seen by audiences in more than thirty states, including scores of universities, museums, libraries, festivals, and civic organizations.
 

10/08/26 @ 6:30pm - 10/08/26 @ 8:30pm Room C Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 09/14/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 10/08/2026 @ 3:00pm

Learn the basics of using the library’s sewing machines to make a Halloween fabric bookmark.

Registration Limit: 4 patrons max per session, Bloomingdale Public Library card required, ages 12 to adult. 

Sessions - Please sign up for one session only:
Thursday, October 8 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Monday, October 26 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

First Time Makerspace Users: For Bloomingdale cardholders ages 12-17, please bring a completed Makerspace waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian. Adult Bloomingdale cardholders can fill out a waiver at the session.

10/26/26 @ 6:30pm - 10/26/26 @ 8:30pm Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 09/14/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 10/26/2026 @ 4:00pm

Learn the basics of using the library’s sewing machines to make a Halloween fabric bookmark.

Registration Limit: 4 patrons max per session, Bloomingdale Public Library card required, ages 12 to adult. 

Sessions - Please sign up for one session only:
Thursday, October 8 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Monday, October 26 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

First Time Makerspace Users: For Bloomingdale cardholders ages 12-17, please bring a completed Makerspace waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian. Adult Bloomingdale cardholders can fill out a waiver at the session.

10/08/26 @ 5:30pm - 10/08/26 @ 8:45pm Room A/B Bloomingdale Public Library

Community Group

08/08/26 @ 9:00am - 08/08/26 @ 4:30pm Room A/B Bloomingdale Public Library

End of the year competition and fun for the Bloomingdale Library chess club & other participating libraries

08/08/26 @ 9:00am - 08/08/26 @ 4:30pm Room C Bloomingdale Public Library

End of the year competition and fun for the Bloomingdale Library chess club & other participating libraries

08/03/26 @ 2:30pm - 08/03/26 @ 4:30pm Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/13/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/03/2026 @ 11:00am

Make a personalized flip card that cascades through different images or phrases.

Registration Limit: 6 patrons max per session, Bloomingdale Public Library card required, ages 12 to adult. Please sign up for one session only.

Sessions - Please sign up for one session only:
Monday, August 3 | 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Monday, August 17 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

First Time Makerspace Users: For Bloomingdale cardholders ages 12-17, please bring a completed Makerspace waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian. Adult Bloomingdale cardholders can fill out a waiver at the session.

08/17/26 @ 6:30pm - 08/17/26 @ 8:30pm Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/13/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/17/2026 @ 1:30pm

Make a personalized flip card that cascades through different images or phrases.

Registration Limit: 6 patrons max per session, Bloomingdale Public Library card required, ages 12 to adult. Please sign up for one session only.

Sessions - Please sign up for one session only:
Monday, August 3 | 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Monday, August 17 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

First Time Makerspace Users: For Bloomingdale cardholders ages 12-17, please bring a completed Makerspace waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian. Adult Bloomingdale cardholders can fill out a waiver at the session.

09/02/26 @ 2:00pm - 09/02/26 @ 4:00pm Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 08/17/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 09/02/2026 @ 11:00am

Learn the basics of machine embroidery and create a small embroidered project. 

Registration Limit: 4 patrons max per session, Bloomingdale Public Library card required, ages 12 to adult. Please sign up for one session only. 

Sessions - Please sign up for one session only:
Wednesday, September 2 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 30 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

First Time Makerspace Users: For Bloomingdale cardholders ages 12-17, please bring a completed Makerspace waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian. Adult Bloomingdale cardholders can fill out a waiver at the session.

09/30/26 @ 6:30pm - 09/30/26 @ 8:30pm Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 08/17/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 09/30/2026 @ 4:00pm

Learn the basics of machine embroidery and create a small embroidered project. 

Registration Limit: 4 patrons max per session, Bloomingdale Public Library card required, ages 12 to adult.

Sessions - Please sign up for one session only:
Wednesday, September 2 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 30 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

First Time Makerspace Users: For Bloomingdale cardholders ages 12-17, please bring a completed Makerspace waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian. Adult Bloomingdale cardholders can fill out a waiver at the session.

10/10/26 @ 12:30pm - 10/10/26 @ 4:30pm Room A/B Bloomingdale Public Library

Details to come!

06/30/26 @ 2:00pm - 06/30/26 @ 3:00pm Room A/B Bloomingdale Public Library

Canines 4 Kindness (Drop-In)

All Ages

Tuesday, June 30|2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Join Jeff Jenkins and his four-legged friends, present an exciting, entertaining and educational program filled with positive reinforcement training, incredible canine agility and even some eye-popping canine circus tricks.

08/07/26 @ 1:30pm - 08/07/26 @ 2:15pm Room C/Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/20/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/06/2026 @ 4:34pm

Book Lover Party (Registration Required)

Grades K-2

Friday, August 7|1:30 p.m.- 2:15 p.m.

Get ready for National Book Lover’s Day by designing your own book bag, creating a bookmark, and playing games based on favorite book characters. 

08/14/26 @ 10:00am - 08/14/26 @ 10:45am Room C/Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/20/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/13/2026 @ 4:56pm

Messy Fingers (Registration Required)

Ages 2-4

Friday, August 14| 10:00-10:45 a.m.

Your little ones will have the opportunity to develop their fine motor skills through this hands-on messy art class. Join us for all the mess and lots of fun!

08/18/26 @ 1:30pm - 08/18/26 @ 2:15pm Room C/Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/20/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/17/2026 @ 6:00pm

The Pigeon Has to go to School (Registration Required)

Ages 3-5

Tuesday, August 18 |1:30- 2:15 p.m.

It’s back to school time… even for pigeons. Join us for fun back to school stories and a fun craft. 

08/24/26 @ 6:00pm - 08/24/26 @ 7:30pm Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/20/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/23/2026 @ 4:15pm

Learn to Use a Sewing Machine (Registration Required) 

Grades 4-6

Monday, August 24| 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 

An introduction to the sewing machines in the makerspace. We will learn the parts of the machine, how to thread it, wind a bobbin, and sew a simple pillow. An adult partner is welcome to accompany each student. 

08/25/26 @ 4:00pm - 08/25/26 @ 4:45pm Room C/Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/20/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/24/2026 @ 4:25pm

Summer Craft Club (Registration Required)  

Grades K-2

Tuesday, August 25 | 4:00- 4:45 p.m. 

Enjoy a fun craft time for kids entering grades K-2. 

08/27/26 @ 5:00pm - 08/27/26 @ 5:45pm Room C Bloomingdale Public Library Registration is required. Registration starts: 07/20/2026 @ 9:00am Registration end: 08/26/2026 @ 4:00pm

Initial Cardboard Art (Registration Required)  

Grades 3-6

Thursday, August 27 | 5:00-5:45 p.m. 

Yarn will be wrapped around a letter of your choice. Then, you can customize it to fit you. 

08/28/26 @ 10:30am - 08/28/26 @ 11:15am Room A/B Bloomingdale Public Library

Dog Days of Summer Storytime (Drop-In)  

Families

Friday, August 28 | 10:30-11:15 a.m. 

Join us for a storytime and a dog craft!

08/31/26 @ 4:00pm - 08/31/26 @ 4:45pm Room C/Makerspace Bloomingdale Public Library

Please let us know of any allergies at the time of registration. 

You are What You Eat (Registration Required)

Grades K-2

Monday, August 31 |4:00 -4:45 p.m.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring! Have fun with fruits and vegetables. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies when registering.