School Services

Born to Read Packets
In order to promote the importance of reading to babies, the Library offers Born to Read Packets to new parents in Bloomingdale. The new baby and its family will receive a congratulatory packet that includes a free board book. If you or anyone you know in Bloomingdale is a new parent and would like to receive this service, please visit the Youth Services Desk or call 630-924-2740.

Donna Beth Froio Foreign Language and Cultural Collection
Books, book and cassette kits, and CD's on the study of foreign language, folklore, culture, ethnic recipes, music, poetry, literature and history. An excellent multi-cultural resource collection in Spanish, Indian Languages, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Polish, and Japanese. Pre-school through eighth grade.

Music Kits
Children can now check out musical instruments and foster a love for music and creativity. It’s a great way for children to explore and experience music through many different approaches and get their hands on a variety of fun instruments! The collection includes, but is not limited to: hand bells, chromatic bell set, Boom-whackers, wooden harp, stylophone, rhythm and percussion instruments, as well as ribbon wands and parachute to enhance the fun! Some kits come with songbooks, activity guides or instructions. We are very proud to offer access to these instruments.

Parent-Teacher Collection
Books and kits that provide parents and teachers with information on child development, classroom support materials, and parenting issues.

Science Kits
Spark or encourage an interest in science with Science Kits! Science Kits are plastic boxes containing science materials and objects that can be checked out by anyone. Some of our kits include microscopes, seismographs, magnets, makey-makey kits, and more! Each item is high quality and supported by materials in our non-fiction section as well as dvds, with more supplementary activities and suggestions coming soon to each kit!

Story Packs
These backpacks are designed to provide finger-tip access to theme programs with books, puzzles, puppets, music and DVD's. The themes are: alphabet, colors, shapes, bedtime, birds, community helpers, dinosaurs, fairy tales, feelings, gardens, new siblings, puppies and kittens, school, special needs, and toilet training.

Textbooks
Bloomingdale Public Library has non-circulating copies of textbooks from Bloomingdale School District 13, Consolidated School District 93, and Lake Park High School.

1000 Books before Kindergarten
Registration is required.
Be on the lookout for our new exciting program 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. This new reading program encourages all Bloomingdale families and caregivers with young children before they enter Kindergarten. Studies have shown that families that start reading aloud to their children from birth strengthen language and vocabulary skills. Ask at the Youth Services’ Desk for more information. Or you can sign up right here.

Kindergarten
Celebrate the lives and works of popular children's authors with an Author Celebration program. It includes a biographical presentation of the author's life, sharing of the author's work, and a related craft. Suggested authors are Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, Lois Lowry, and Beverly Cleary. This program is available either in the classroom or at BPL and is suitable for grades up to third grade.

1st Grade
The Celebrate Reading Party is presented at BPL. Students will enjoy a party with games, stories, treats, and a behind the scenes tour to celebrate the reading skills they have developed while in 1st grade. Special party invitations will be mailed to all first grade classes in the spring of each school year.

2nd Grade
Youth Services staff give an exciting introduction to some of our most popular series fiction for students who are stretching their reading skills, as well as an explanation of how to find transitional chapter books in the library.
1 & 2nd Grades
Monarch Book talks from the newest list of titles is offered by a staff member and are presented at your school.

3rd - 5th Grades
Blue Stem Book Talks are offered by our staff to introduce the students to the new yearly list.

4th - 8th Grades
The newest Rebecca Caudill Book Award List will be presented to the students by a member of the BPL staff.

Bag of Books
(For Registered Teachers) Teachers are invited to request books and materials for use in their classrooms. Teachers must preregister with School Liaison. Requests will be taken by phone or fax 7-10 days prior to the date the materials are needed. Materials will be selected by Library staff and checked out to the teacher for three weeks. Bags are delivered to schools. There is a maximum of 25 books to each bag and the library reserves the right to limit materials if necessary. Please call the School Liaison for request form.

The Bloomingdale Public Library offers outreach storytimes once a month to preschools located in Bloomingdale. For more information or to request a visit, please e-mail Carol Leeson at cleeson@mybpl.org.