Congratulations to our newest graduates of the 1,001 Books Before Kindergarten program at the Fox River Valley Public Libraries! 

The 1,001 Books Before Kindergarten program is an early literacy initiative with the purpose of encouraging the community’s littlest book lovers to begin their journey to independent reading.  Children from ages birth to five (kindergarten) can be signed up for this program at either library location, with the goal of reading 1,001 books before their first day of kindergarten.  Our program is self-paced, so it is up to you and your child how long you would like to take in the program.   Throughout these 1,001 books, there are prizes for different milestones (100 books, 250 books, 500 books, 750 books, and 1,001 books).  Finishers of the program will be invited to the next scheduled graduation ceremony. 

Stop into the Dundee Library Youth Department or the Randall Oaks Library to sign your child up for 1,001 Books Before Kindergarten!

   Will libraries exist in half a century? That is the question I hear others debating. Forbes magazine recently printed an opinion piece by Panos Mourdoukoutas titled, “Amazon Should Replace Local Libraries to Save Taxpayers Money”. Forbes deleted the frivolous article after receiving severe criticism from not only librarians but library advocates. Regardless, libraries will remain with us despite the criticism.  Currently there are more libraries than Starbucks or McDonald’s!

   Libraries will not become obsolete as technology has actually enhanced our services not worked against us. Libraries have transformed themselves from the stereotypical place where librarians in tight buns and long cardigans “shush” patrons. 21^st Century libraries promote diplomatic public discourse in our adult and teen programs, while still maintaining quiet areas for those who seek silence and solitude from their everyday chaotic world. Librarians are information scientists who want to make patrons lifelong learners.

   Libraries provide accessible and accurate information to the public while also imparting knowledge, and promoting the culture of reading. They are a sanctuary for the homeless, and underserved populations.

   Libraries supply the community with free public Wi-Fi, as well as civic and career engagement. Additionally, we provide technology focused services such as computer classes, 3D printing, and digital conversion. Our Youth Department promotes early literacy with our 1001 Books Before Kindergarten. The initiative is aimed at getting children from age birth to five prepared to ready independently.  In their totality, these programs function as community builders.

   The common misconception is that libraries will be diminished because of our current digital age and many assume that print books will face their end in upcoming years due to E-books. In my experience patrons are much more likely to ask for recommended books in print form. Parents want to separate their kids from their i-Pads. They want their children to have a free and wireless form of entertainment, a book.

   Libraries follow trends, and respond to the specific needs of their community. They meet with schools through outreach programs to support their educational ecosystems. Libraries tend to function as “society’s first responders.” An example of this would be the financial crisis of 2007. This was the year when people flooded to our library doors to take advantage of our free programs and resources; across the county, public libraries were at their largest capacity. According to the Pew Research Center 76% of adults said that libraries served the learning and education needs of their communities either “very well” by 37% or “pretty well” by 39%. 71% said libraries served their own personal needs and the needs of their families “very well or pretty well”.

   Libraries are America’s backbone and they are institutions that hold organic knowledge. They are the place where lifelong learners thrive. The library is a welcoming place that will always have its doors open.

The 2019 AISLE award-nominated titles are now on display at the Dundee Library!  Each year, the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) nominates books for the Monarch, Bluestem and Rebecca Caudill Readers’ Choice Awards.  Kids across Illinois are then invited to read the nominated books throughout the year and vote for their favorite.

The Monarch Award Nominees are titles chosen for children in grades K-3.  The Dundee Library has a monthly book club for kids in grades K-3 highlighting these nominees, where we read one of the books and enjoy snacks, crafts and activities based on it.  You can sign up for the next Book Explorers event here!

The Bluestem Award Nominees are titles suggested for students in grades 3-5.  The Dundee Library has a monthly book club for kids in grades 3-6 highlighting these Bluestem nominees.  Participants are asked to read the book prior to attending the event, where we will discuss it along with snacks, crafts, and activities. You can sign up for the next Beyond the Book event here!

The Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees are titles suggested for students in grades 4-8.

We're still going strong with the Summer Reading Challenge, so if you're looking for new things to pick up to finish out your reading log, take a look at some of the recommendations by your fellow patrons. These suggestions come from the Recommended Read cards. If you haven't seen these cards yet, it's not too late to grab some from the Information Desk and fill them out. On the cards, simply let us know what you’re reading and why you would/would not recommend it. You can drop these off at the Information Desk and we draw winners every week for additional Summer Reading prizes.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah- This book is really popular, with 3 Recommended Read cards coming in the last few weeks! "A great drama. Terrific character development and it might make you cry." "This book is so exciting while diving into history by portraying the horrors and bravery during WWII." "Great historical novel of lives in France before and during WWII and all the hardships they had to endure during the German occupation."

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby- Another very popular read these last few weeks with 4 cards submitted. "This memoir is an enlightening story told by a quadriplegic by blinking his eyes. He is stuck in his own mind, unable to move. This story will bring to light the hardship one faces when paralyzed from head to toe." "This is an insightful memoir but also very depressing. This poor man went through such a horrible experience." "Very short memoir written by a man with locked-in syndrome who can only blink his left eye to communicate." "It is amazingly written by a determined man who has locked-in syndrome. Only able to blink his left eye, he incredibly crafts an inspiring and sad memoir." 

Dog in the Manger by Mike Resnick- "Resnick usually writes science fiction, but put his hand to a series of short mysteries. This is the first one of three. A quick read, a fun read, and a perfect book for at the beach or a rainy day!”

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco- "Very compelling. Couldn't put it down. Exciting and a cool twist at the end I look forward to reading the next book.”

My Cubs: A Love Story by Scott Simon- "Scott Simon grew up near Wrigley Field. Jack Brickhouse was his godfather and he relates how hard it is to be a lifelong Cubs fan and keep the faith. Go Cubs!"

Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner- "This book presents to a reader a great complexity of broken families, of siblings scarred for life. It's so much more than a mystery story. I love Lisa's way of presenting the complex topic in such a way that you are thinking about it after finishing the book."

Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During & After the WWII Internment by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston- "This book is a nonfiction account of a young girl who was in Japanese internment camps after Pearl Harbor. This eye-opening book will reveal how Americans treated others."

Library Wars by Kiiro Yumi- "Fast-paced, hilarious and thought-provoking, with a dash of romance."

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom- "An inspiring memoir about a teacher and his student, who is never too old to continue teaching and asking questions about life."

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi- "Great fantasy novel that incorporates Nigerian mythology."

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham- "I finally finished the Gilmore Girls series and it was a great way to learn more about Lauren Graham."

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin- "A great autobiography of Steve Martin. Nice to read about what he had to go through to become the star he is."

FRVPLD now offers STEAM kits that patrons can check out for one week! 

STEAM Kits are an amazing resource that provide hands-on learning experiences for children in K-6^th grades with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math topics.  Every kit comes with a book, instructional guide, hands-on learning object, and possibly a DVD. 

We currently offer 16 different kits that explore topics such as simple machines, geometry/art, astronomy, robotics/coding and engineering. All the kits check out for 1 week and can renew up to two times.  Check out which kits are available now!

As coding becomes a common skill taught to kids in school, we've created a couple of coding and robots kits.  One of our kits has an Ozobot in it.  Ever hear of an Ozobot? An Ozobot is a tiny programmable robot that follows black, red, green, and blue paths to control its movement and speed in different directions.  The main goal of the Ozobot is to introduce kids to simple coding.  

Check out this video of the Ozobot in action!

Looking for something good to read? If you’ve signed up for Summer Reading you’ve probably seen the Recommended Read postcards (if you haven’t, it’s not too late to sign up or start filling out cards!). On the cards, simply let us know what you’re reading and why you would/would not recommend it. You can drop these off at the Information Desk and we draw winners every week for additional Summer Reading prizes. You’re reading anyway; why not try to win? Here’s a sampling of the book suggestions and comments your fellow readers have submitted in the first few weeks. 

The City Baker's Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller- This book has been on our cards 3 times already, so patrons are really enjoying this one!

"This simple yet enjoyable book will leave you thankful for your family and good food. The main character uses her talents for baking to help her find the true meaning of family. A bit predictable, still sweet." "Adorable, clean book about a baker who moves to a small town. This story will captivate all readers to want to find out what happens to Olivia Rawlings in the end.” "This is a cute, fun summer read. The baked goods discussed will make your mouth water!"

There have been submissions for a couple different books in the Gaslight Mystery series by author Victoria Thompson, who will be visiting us this Tuesday, June 26. Register here if you’d like to attend.

Murder in the Bowery- "Every bit as good as the previous books in this series! Opening the cover is like stepping into the home of old friends. There are even a few hints about what the next one will deal with. Wonderful!" 

Murder in Little Italy- "Love the Gaslight Mystery books!"

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison- "It is a great psychological thriller story. The surprises keep coming, page after page. It is a great read about marriage and a relationship that needs constant attention and its complexity."

The Archived by Victoria Schwab- "This book is a great mix of the familiar and the new. Wonderfully told, realistic characters, and compelling plot. A tad slow at times but a good story overall."

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate- "A heartbreaking yet redemptive tale of siblings who are torn apart and reconnected. Devastating but hopeful.”

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe- "I read this book because it is on PBS's Great American Read list. I recommend this book because it is written in such a way that while I was not fond of the main character's behavior. I cared about him, his family, and village." (To learn more about the Great American Read and to vote for your favorites, visit PBS's site here)

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray- "An amazing third book in a series about great characters. Seriously spooky but can't wait for the next book."

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah- "The Allbright family moves to rural AK, unprepared and dysfunctional too. Ernt, the Dad, is a Vietnam vet who was a POW, with major emotional issues, the wife gets abused by him but cannot leave him, and Leni their daughter survives, just. Characters are real and heart wrenching."

The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind: my tale of madness and recovery by Barbara Lipska-  "A personal account of living with and overcoming a mental disorder. Well written and enlightening."

Camp Austen: my life as an accidental Jane Austen superfan by Ted Scheinman- "A fun read into the real life Jane Austen conventions with die-hard fans."

Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson- "Murder mystery of local police officer in Icelandic town. Easy summer read. Good descriptions of Iceland."

Reaper: ghost target by Nicholas Irving- "This was a highly intense thriller that kept me reading until the end. Very cool story."

This summer we have plenty of activities going on at the library for teens in grades 6-12. Here is what's going on during the rest of June: 

Teen Hang Out
Mondays and Wednesdays*, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. @ Dundee
Game, craft, make buttons, work on the laptops, and hang out. Come to Teen Hang Out Mondays and Wednesdays* in Corner 68 (on the main level next to the Teen Area) through August 8.
*Not including June 27, July 4, and July 25. 

Decoupage Journals & Luggage Tags
Tuesday, June 19, 4 to 5 p.m. @ Randall Oaks
Collage words and pictures onto a fun travel journal and create your own luggage tags using old magazine pages and mod podge.

Charms
Wednesday, June 20, 2 to 4 p.m. @ Dundee
Use Sculpey III Oven Bake Clay to create durable and colorful charms.

Teen Lock In
Friday, June 22, 6 to 9 p.m. @ Dundee
Take over the library after hours! Enjoy pizza and games with your friends.

Comic Book Worlds
Tuesday, June 26, 4 to 5 p.m. @ Randall Oaks
Make projects inspired by the comic book worlds of Gotham, Wakanda, Themyscira, Metropolis, and more.

Mixed Media Painting Party
Wednesday, June 27, 4 to 6 p.m. @ Dundee
Use paint and glue to collage your own unique mixed media piece.

Enroll at Riverdale
Thursday, June 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. @ Dundee
Make vinyl decals for Riverdale-inspired notebooks, screen print a Jughead Jones tote bag, and create a Josie and the Pussycats cat ear headband.