Read to a...Cat?

Now, we've been known to host dogs for our Read to a Dog program. But cats?

Well, Bob the cat has been specially trained—just like the dogs in the Read to a Dog program—to be a calm, non-judgmental listener. The Read to a Dog and Read to a Cat programs are based off the idea that in order to gain confidence while reading, young people should be allowed to make reading mistakes. This occurs in an environment where the young person will be guided in their storytelling.

Here are some photos of Bob the cat getting prepped for his Read to a Cat session:

Special thanks to Bob and his handler who offered reading help, and a non-judgmental ear. 

MD

(Pictures by Stephanie). 

New Youth Service Calendar!

We are proud to announce we have a new youth calendar online. Click on the Google+ icon below which looks like

...to open to a full spread of our Google calendar!

Click on events below for further details, and to add them to your own google calendar.

MD

Summer 2015 Programs Announced!

If you were looking for our 2015 Summer programs, you have come to the right place.

For a safe PDF link to our brochure: CLICK HERE.

Call our Youth Service line directly at: 1(630)-368-7734 to sign up!

Brochure images are below. You can click on them to enlarge the pages.

MD

Balloon Making Workshop, 2014

Yesterday, we had (yet another) program that I think will be a yearly thing: The Balloon-Making workshop. 

Here's some pictures of students at the workshop, and their creations:

Then, I twisted for a bit, and made some requests. 

^Above: Don't know why I look so solemn here. Must be the serious art form.

And probably my favorite, people who learn they are secret pros:

Stay tune for our other fall programs, and check the link to the right with Fall Programming Brochures. 

Best, 

LibMD

Fall 2014 Youth Service Programs

Click HERE for the pdf of our new, 2014 Fall lineup.

We've got some great (all free!) fall programs ahead. Here's a quick preview:

Storytimes

Toddling Twos and Threes
Thursdays at 10:30 A.M.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16

Terrific 3s and 4s
Wednesdays at 4:30 P.M.
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, and 15

Grades K-3 Storytime Art
Mondays at 4:30 P.M.
September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, and 13

Bedtime Stories
Thursdays at 7 P.M.
September 11, 18, 25, October 2, and 9
(Ages 3-8)

Special Events 

Balloon-Making Workshop

Saturday, September 13 

2-3 P.M.

Learn the oh-so-serious art of balloon sculpture. Class taught by a real clown vet.

Fall Window Painting 

Saturday, September 27

11A.M.

(Grades 4 and Up)

Help us--yes you!--decorate our library windows. A special mix of acrylic paints will be used to paint the back windows by the library, in youth services. We can't wait to see the art you add to our department. 

Pumpkin Decorating

Saturday, October 11

Grades K-4 @ Noon

Grades 5 and up @1;30 P.M.

We will provide the pumpkins, paint, and other materials. Bring a friend, and have a great time at this Halloween tradition.

Book Club

Come for an engaging book discussion. Snacks also provided!
The Giver, by Louis Lowry

Thursday, September 25

@4 P.M.

Prisoner B-3087, by Alan Gratz

Thursday, October 23

@4P.M.

Cram Crew 

September-October 6-8:30

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Nights 

School stressing you out? Come for moral encouragement, in the company of friends, and study at the Oak Brook Library. And as always, Youth Service librarians are always willing to help you!

Teen Read Week

October 12-18

As always, call to sign up at our Youth Service Line: 1-(630)-368-7733

Read to a Dog, 2014

It appears that the tradition has stuck. The tradition of our program Read to a Dog, that is. I know at first the concept may seem a bit strange. (Reading? And to a dog?) But I assure you, it makes sense. At least, it does when you see the confidence and fun young readers experience when participating.

Read to a Dog is a program developed by careful dog handlers and volunteers, and their trusty therapy dogs. The program focuses on building confidence in reading. By having children read to dogs and their handlers, they are allowed a calming atmosphere, and most importantly for kids with reading difficulties: freedom from criticism. As a library we have loved working with the individuals from the Hindsdale Humane Society, and their dogs trained especially for therapy.

Here are some of the pictures of this great program in action:

Look for our fall program schedule, about to be released soon!

LibMD. Photo creds: Theresa

The Graveyard Book: Book Club Edition! FAQ

Who: Hopefully you, a copy of The Graveyard Book (available for our book club at the circulation desk), and Librarian MD. (Well, hopefully there will be other people there, too.)

What: A Book Club. No, not the cheesy ones in novels. We're cooler, and have food. And possibly tea and hot cocoa, if I remember my kettle. 

Where//When: Next Thursday, August 7th @4p.m.//Youth Service Meeting Room//Oak Brook Library

Why: If you haven't read any Neil Gaiman books yet (tssk), or if you are looking for a memorable read, please give this story a try. It begins on a darkened night, with a chilling opening scene in a family home where a young boy is left an orphan at the hand of a mysterious killer. Still a child, he wanders, searching for company, until he comes across a graveyard; a graveyard filled with all sorts of spirits beyond the grave, who come to raise the young boy into adulthood. 

So, with my book sales-pitch/summary out of the way: 

At book club meetings we discuss the material we read in a fun way (I'm not about to pull an English prof. on you), and because Librarian MD is hosting this time, we may have tea. Or we may not. Depends if she remembers her tea kettle. 

Best, and if you want to come, pick up a copy of The Graveyard Book at the circulation desk.

MD

For further, pressing inquiries: 

obplblog@gmail.com