Journal & Topics Media Group

Virtual Family-Friendly Events


The following virtual family-friendly events are hosted by libraries in the Journal & Topics coverage area. Register when requested. Libraries and park districts offering a free or nominal fee event can e-mail event details to lifestyles1@journal-topics.info.

Des Plaines

Des Plaines Public Library

Kids’ Choice Book Awards: Can I Be Your Dog?

Facebook Live

3:30 to 3:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1

Join your peers for a live reading of a nominated book from the 2021 Illinois Readers’ Choice Award list. Participants download a list of Monarch titles to keep track of their reading progress. After they read all 20 books, they return a brochure to the library in person or by email by March 7 to win a prize. After watching the videos or reading on their own, they can then participate in voting from March 1-7. If they are unable to see the live reading, a recording of the event will be posted after it airs live. Go to dppl.org to find past episodes.

Des Plaines Public Library

Kids’ Choice Book Awards: Otis and Will Discover The Deep

Facebook Live

3:30 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2

Another live reading of a nominated book from the 2021 Illinois Readers’ Choice Award list. Follow the information above.

 

Niles

Niles-Maine District Library

Virtual Drama Club – grades 2-8

6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 

Register on the library’s website calendar page.

Find your stage voice and learn drama skills through fun theater games, skits and improvisation. 

 

Niles-Maine District Library

Engage Live: Social Justice Reading Club – grades 7-12

4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24

Register on the library’s website calendar page. Earn volunteer hours reading about and discussing social justice issues.                     

 

Mount Prospect

Mount Prospect Public Library

Meet Children’s Author Amy Alznauer

7 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan 28

Program presented via Zoom.

For grades K and up and their families.

Alznauer has had three picture book biographies published. One was named in the New York Times Best 25 Children’s Books of 2020. Learn about “The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: A Tale of the Genius Ramanujan.” The book focuses on a boy in 1887 India who reinvents modern mathematics.

Mount Prospect Public Library

Virtual Ballet Cat Bash – for grades K-2

4 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8

Children will Swan dive into the world of Ballet Cat and her friends. Enjoy books from Bob Shea’s series and do a craft. The library will supply materials while supplies last. Pickup the week of Feb. 1.

 

Park Ridge

Park Ridge Public Library

Virtual Book Club: “Elatsoe” by Darcie Little Badger – grades 6-12

4 to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28

Elatsoe has an unusual skill passed down through generations of her Lipan Apache family: she can raise the ghosts of dead animals. Her beloved cousin has just been murdered, in a town that wants no prying eyes. But she is going to do more than pry. The picture-perfect facade of Willowbee masks gruesome secrets, and she will rely on her wits, skills, and friends to tear off the mask and protect her family. This program will take place via Zoom.

Park Ridge Public Library

Flannel Board Fun

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1

Teacher’s program. Participants will learn how to create fun flannel board stories to use in their classroom or at home with their own kids. While supplies last, felt supplies will be available for pickup the week before the program. The Zoom link will be emailed before the program.

 

Glenview

Glenview Public Library

National Change a Pet’s Life Day Volunteer Drive

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23

Make and donate a dog tug toy out of old t-shirts or spare fabric. Participants earn one service hour for every two toys they make and donate. Toys will then be donated to Wright Way Rescue and Heartland Animal Shelter. An instructional video is available through a link in the calendar. Donations are appreciated through Jan. 23. Grades K-12 may sign up for materials kits while supplies last.

Glenview Public Library

Virtual Family Storytime – all ages w/adult

10:30 to 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 29

Register on Zoom

Join other families for a weekly live storytime with Youth Services librarians. This program is presented on Zoom. After registering, participants receive a confirmation email with an invitation to join the webinar.

 

Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

Virtual: Learn to Draw: Birch Tree Landscape  

For children 3 and up and their families

11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 23

Zoom event

Register for Jan. 23 date only. Participants will be automatically registered for session 2 on Saturday, Jan. 30.

The young artists will create a birch tree landscape. In two step-by-step sessions, they will learn how to recreate their memories of birch trees in the winter. Supplies may be picked up by contacting the library at kids@ahml.info or by calling 847-392-0100 or they can use their own supplies.

 

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

Virtual: Toddler Time Live – 19 to 35 months

9:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28

Zoom event presented by Christina G

Register via email

This energetic 15-minute storytime presents stories, songs, and more to engage active toddlers. Email registration provides an invitation to join the live virtual programming space. This program will be recorded for possible sharing on the library’s social media channels later. Any programs recording audience interactions will allow for customers to opt-out of video or audio participation. Email questions to youthprograms@ahml.info.

 

Elk Grove Village

Elk Grove Village Public Library

Cartoon with Mark Anderson – Cats & Dogs – grade K-8

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26

Draw all different kinds of cats and dogs and then decide what happens next. Will they have a ninja fight? Start a band? Go roller skating? Look for more Mark Anderson virtual cartooning classes in February, March, and April. Each class will have a different theme and a separate registration. Register for the months that work for you. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants 30 minutes before the class.

 

Palatine

Palatine Library District

700 North Court, Palatine

Teen Relaxation and Mindfulness Kit – for grades 7-12

3 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10

Sign up for a Teen Relaxation and Mindfulness kit to help reduce stress from remote learning. Kits will be available at the first floor Youth and Teen Services desk while supplies last beginning at 3 p.m.

 

Palatine Library District

Teen Rock Music Trivia – for grades 7-12

7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8

Program via Zoom

Registration for this event will be open from 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. Participants receive a password for this quick tutorial. Music trivia allows teens a chance to answer questions about classic rock tunes.

 

Wheeling

Indian Trails Public Library District

Middle School Book Club: Drum Roll Please – grades 6-8

Registration is open – Register with library staff

Live Zoom program

Melly only joined the school band because her best friend, Olivia, begged her to. She and Olivia are about to spend the next two weeks at Camp Rockaway. But this summer brings a lot of changes for Melly. Register and pick up your book at the drive up window or the Kids Desk. Read the book and join your peers for an online Zoom discussion on Monday, Jan. 25. Registration with a valid email address is required. You will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to join the book discussion. 

 

Indian Trails Public Library District

Magical Mystery Reader – for ages 4-8

10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28

Pre-recorded video

Who is the Magical Mystery Reader today? What book will be read? The Mystery Reader will not be revealed until the end of the book. Can you guess before they reach the end? Register online and pick up a corresponding craft between Jan. 20-27. Viewable on the ITPLD YouTube Channel.

 

Prospect Heights

Prospect Heights Public Library

Snowman Guessing Game

All day, Sunday, Jan. 28

Preschool to 12th grade

Enter for a chance to win a gift card. Guess how many mini marshmallows it took to fill the snowman jar. To help guess, view photos of the snowman on the library’s Flickr page, www.flickr.com/photos/phpl. Email ajbisanz@phpl.info with your guess now until Jan. 31. Closest guess wins a gift card and the snowman. 

 

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