Hundreds of patrons found the Woodridge Public Library transformed into a winter wonderland when they took part in Frosty Fest Weekend on December 9 and 10. The big hit of the weekend was the scavenger hunt which had kids searching for snowmen hidden throughout the Children's Department and, of course, eating cookies around the giant library "book tree" towering in the lobby.

Here's a look at Frosty Fest Weekend by the numbers:
.6 inches of snow - just enough for a "frosty effect"
500 festive attendees - all ages: toddlers to great-grandparents
250 Snowman Scavenger Hunt participants - who won 250 Snowman Soup mixes
52 hidden snowmen - 6 careful counters found them all and won a DuPage Children's Museum ticket
105 Frosty Puppet Show viewers
95 cookie decorators
125 entries for the "win Frosty" drawing - 1 lucky winner took Frosty home!
310 candy canes munched
over 2,280 cookies enjoyed

These snowman-themed activities, shows and treats marked the end of the library's yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary. The Woodridge Public Library will continue the tradition of free family-friendly programs in the New Year. Patrons are invited to mark their calendar for "Dinosaur Day," coming January 2o.

Mark your calendar with important  Children's registration dates for preschool and STEM programs, which begin at the end of December or early January.

Minute To Win It! Grades 4 - 6, Wednesday, January 3, 1 - 2 p.m.: Online registration opens December 27

Chicago Wolves Reading Program, January 2 - 31: Registration at the Children's Reference Desk opens January 2

Winter Preschool Storytimes, Sessions begin January 15: Online registration opens January 6 at 9 a.m.

Dinosaur Hunter Science Classes, January 20: Online registration opens January 6

LEGO WEDO Stem Program: Grades 2 - 4, Monday, January 15, 2 p.m.: Online registration opens January 8

As a trusted community center, the Woodridge Library is a key partner in ensuring that everyone in Woodridge gets counted.

In mid-March, homes across Woodridge and the country will begin receiving directions for completing the 2020 Census. Patrons are welcome to stop by the library anytime to complete their Census questionnaire online. 

Staying Safe from Scams, Wednesday, March 5, 7 p.m. Woodridge Police Officer Jeff Bean discusses completing the 2020 Census online.

Find critical information, training and resources related COVID-19 from the Choose DuPage Economic Development Alliance and the SBA--Small Business Administration: 

Did you know that patrons who are unable to visit the Woodridge Library because of a disability, illness or special circumstance can receive books delivered to their door by staff members or volunteers? 

Request specific items or let us know your interests and we will make selections for you.

Call the Outreach Coordinator at 630-487-2553 or email pwhitt@woodridgelibrary.org

Saturday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The past seven months have brought many challenges for everyone. Those who had already been dealing with mental health conditions have faced even more challenges. Many people found themselves depressed, anxious, grieving, stressed, and/or isolated. The need for mental health support is expected to increase substantially. One of the aims of World Mental Health Day is to increase the awareness of mental health issues, erase the stigma of needing and getting help, and provide resources for people to help themselves and others.

The State of Illinois has set up a text line for people who are struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Text TALK (or HABLAR for Spanish) to 552020. The service is free, anonymous, and available 24 hours a day. The service will ask for a first name and zip code so that it can link you to a conselor in your area who is knowledgable about local resources.

The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24-hours a day. Text HOME to: 741741. Trained crisis counselors will respond and help you.

The DuPage County Crisis Intervention Unit is a mental health support system that deals with mental health emergencies on a 24-hour/7 day a week basis. Individuals in need can contact the Crisis Intervention Unit at any time and set up an interview either by phone or in person. If necessary, the Crisis Residential (Respite) program has up to ten beds available for short term crisis stabilization. You can reach the Crisis Center at 630-627-1700 or visit their website at www.dupagehealth.org/access-and-crisis-center.

The library has resources that can help you learn about and manage stress, anxiety, and other conditions. These resources are not a replacement for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. 
See what you can get as an ebook or print book through our different e-resources and SWAN on this list of titles. Click a cover to be taken the to the book. You can checkout or request it from there.

Don't have a card? Sign-up for a digital card to get started with Ancestry.com now, then stop by the library to get a full-access library card.

Updated 3/1/2021

Lunch will be served to children on Mondays and Thursdays, from noon to 1 p.m., in the 2nd floor meeting room of the Woodridge Public Library. The program begins on Thursday, June 8 and ends on Monday, August 14. This is a free program sponsored by the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Attendees may drop in to any lunch service: there is no registration. 

In addition to the noon lunch, library activities (reading a story or working on puzzles) will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to noon, and a Learning Time with volunteer teachers will take place from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

The Woodridge Library is open with COVID-19 safety measures in place. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask over their mouth and nose and follow social distancing guidelines. Patrons are welcome to walk through the building to find and checkout books, DVDs, other materials, and use library resources. Staff will provide assistance. Limited seating is available. Limited computers with a 2-hour per day time limit, along with wi-fi, fax/scan/copy and printer access, are available. Visitors should note we have fewer stations and time limits in place due to social distancing restrictions. We offer Curbside Pickup as a safe "contactless" option for patrons to get library materials. Kid Book Bundles are also available for contactless pickup.

The health and safety of our patrons and staff remain our priority as we carefully follow guidance from the IDPH and the DuPage County Health Department.

COVID-19 is highly contagious. If you feel ill, do not enter the library, stay home and call your doctor. You may contact the DuPage Health Department for COVID-19 Testing at 630-682-7400.

COVID-19 safety precautions everyone in the Library must follow:

• WEAR A MASK: Anyone entering the building, visitors and staff, must wear a cloth face covering or mask over their mouth and nose as required by the State of Illinois
• WATCH YOUR DISTANCE: Social distancing guidelines must be followed: stay six feet away from others and observe floor markings and signs 
• WASH YOUR HANDS: Hand sanitizer stations are readily available

COVID-19 safety precautions in place at the Library include:

• Chairs and seating areas are limited
• Meeting and study rooms are not available
• Limited computer stations are available for up to two hours; reservations are not taken 
• Patrons may check with the Circulation Desk for laptop/Chromebook availability for use at the Library
• Space capacity limits will be observed, for the building and for the 2nd floor Children's Department: at peak times visitors may be asked to return later on
• Interactive toys, puzzles & learning kits have been removed
• Returned materials are held in a quarantine before check-in, with minimal handling by staff and no public access -- a 3-day quarantine is being observed
• Cleaning and disinfection practices (and products) recommended by the CDC are being followed 
• Donations are not being accepted at this time
• Staff, library volunteers and patrons must maintain safe practices: stay home/do not enter the library if you are sick, experiencing symptoms or suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19
• Library programs are online only, in-person ibrary programs are not being scheduled

Available library resources and services include:

• All collections including, but not limited to, books (New, Best Sellers, Large Type), magazines and other media (DVDs, Blu-rays, Audiobooks, Video Games) are open for browsing and checkout
• Staff assistance in-person, by phone, and via email
• Library technology resources are available including: fax/scan/copy and printer access, along with Wi-Fi access and limited computer stations 
• Friends of the Library Book Sale (donations are not being accepted)
• Curbside Pickup: cardholders can request materials and staff will fill their request through a contactless process
• Homebound Delivery for those unable to visit the library due to a disability, illness or special circumstance. Call 630-964-7899 or apply today 
• Digital Library Card: get access to ebooks, digital magazines, music and movies & training
• All of our online resources: research databases, online book & media collections (including streaming media collections), online learning

(updated 10/28/2020)

Book Your Backyard Adventure: Register Today! Programs are now open and available online until August 1.

• The Children's Department tells you all about their program: https://youtu.be/LaJkmZisVXU. 

Updated 5/21/2020

Thank you to all of our wonderful Children’s Department Summer Reading Program donors! Their donations provided lots of extra incentives to keep our community’s children and families reading over the summer. This generous support of our donors help to make our Summer Reading Program a huge success!

Aurelio’s Pizza
Brookfield Zoo
Chicago Fire 
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Chicago White Sox 
Chili’s 
Cinemark
Colonial Café & Ice Cream 
Cypress Cove 
DuPage Children’s Museum
DuPage County Fair
Denise Giannopolos
Dr. Robert Girgis 
Joliet Slammers 
Jump Zone
Kane County Cougars 
Kuipers Family Farm
LegoLand Discovery Center 
McDonald’s 
Meijer 
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt 
Nancy’s Pizza 
Shedd Aquarium 
Tivoli Classic Cinemark
Windy City Thunderbolts
Zigfield Troy Lost Mountain

“Signs of Spring” Nature Photo Contest
May 1 – 31, 2021

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than by photographing the magical transformation of nature all around us! Wildflowers are beginning to bloom, many birds are returning from their southern wintering grounds, animals of all kinds are becoming more active, and our gardens are finally beginning to grow again!

Select your BEST 5 nature photos taken this spring and email them to:

George Kalinka
Adult & Teen Services Manager
gkalinka@woodridgelibrary.org

Winners will be selected in several categories and notified on June 7. Gift cards will be awarded and winning photos will be featured on the Library’s website. All photos submitted will be shared online through Woodridge Public Library’s Flickr account.

Guidelines:

1. The person submitting the photo must be at least 12 years of age
2. Entries must be the work of the person submitting the photo
3. A maximum of five photos may be submitted per person
4. Submissions must be made between May 1 - 31, 2021

Terms & Conditions

By submitting a photo, you agree that the Woodridge Public Library can use your photo for the marketing and promotion of the “Signs of Spring” Nature Photo Contest. You agree that you have read and will abide by the guidelines above. You also agree that you will allow the Library to share your photo through its social media pages, website, newsletter, and other marketing means in relation to the contest. You agree that your photo may be used by the Library with no royalties, payments, or demands. 

Critical information about loans, training and resources related to COVID-19, from the Choose DuPage Economic Development Alliance, the SBA--Small Business Administration and other local providers:

SBA Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet

SBA Disaster Loan Application

SBA IL Daily Webinars and Training Schedule

Coronavirus Information for Small Business

USA Federal Government Coronavirus-Related  Resources

College of DuPage: Small Business Weekly Update 

See the latest news for Woodridge businesses from the Village of Woodridge.

Also, Illinois has just announced a Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program.

Updated 3/25/2020

You can sign up for a temporary digital card to access all of our online resources. Already have a library card? No need to register, just use your library card to access digital resources. Are you having trouble finding your card? Complete this form to have your library card information sent to you.

Stop by the library and turn your temporary digital card into a full access library card. Full access cards allow you to borrow books and movies from a library system of over 90 libraries; have your item delivered safely to you with Curbside Pickup.

Updated 7/22/2020.

Ancestry.com is allowing temporary home access (through April 30) to a billion names in hundreds of databases, including records from the complete U.S. Federal Census (1790-1930). Just enter your library card barcode. Don't have a card? Sign-up for a digital card.

TumbleBooks is offering all of their collections to libraries for patrons to use while practicing social distancing (through August 31). You can now access:

TumbleMath - K-6 math ebook database

Audible - Kids: instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, while schools are closed

TeenBookCloud - gr 7-12 ebook database

AudioBookCloud - all ages audio book database

RomanceBookCloud - a huge collection of steamy Romance novels for our adult patrons

Updated 4/9/2020

Resources for national and state unemployment benefits, food assistance, and health insurance.

National Unemployment Resources
Unemployment Benefits Finder - Department of Labor’s “Career One Stop” platform
How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available? – includes map comparing states
Economic impact payments: What you need to know – information from the IRS

Illinois Unemployment Resources
File for Unemployment Benefits in Illinois
Illinois Department of Employment Security
CARES Act Unemployment Benefits Expansion
Illinois Department of Human Service - “Help is Here”
Get Hired Illinois

DuPage County Unemployment Resources
workNet DuPage
DuPage Community Information Resource Center

Food Assistance
Districts 58, 68, and 99 Free Meal Pick-Up Program
Center Cass School District 66 Sack Lunch Distribution Program
West Suburban Community Pantry
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Health Insurance
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
Applying for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare)

• Big kids track their reading and accomplish cool missions to earn virtual badges & more.
• You'll be awarded buttons, earn a great book if you finish 6 missions and qualify for a big prize basket drawing by participating each week.
• Kids 2 & under read & explore to earn books.
• Teens & adults log books for a chance at weekly $25 gift cards & $50 GIFT CARD GRAND PRIZE drawings. "Reviews of the Week" will be awarded $10 gift cards.

Congratulations to the winners of our "Signs of Spring" Photography Contest! The entries showcase a variety of places, moods, and moments. Thank you to all the participants for sharing your photos with us.  We've collected all of the entries into a gallery.

We picked winners in ten categories. Please note: participants are only allowed to win in one category.

Winner in Abstract Spring - Focus on Forms, Colors, & Texture: Lou Gusmano

Winner in Backyard in Spring - Connecting With Spring Where We Live: Sandra Urban

Winner in Landscape in Spring - A Sense of Place, With or Without People: Timothy Patrick

Winner in Macro - Close-up Images of Spring: Wyndie Giles

Winner in People & Spring - Recreation, Adventure, & People Enjoying Spring: Candace Rogers

Winner in Plants in Spring - Cultivated or Wild: Chet Szerlag

Winner in Travel - Spring Conveyed Through a Distance Place: Chris Nugent

Winner in Water in Spring - From Above or Below: Carmen Afryl

Winner in Wildlife in Spring - Focus on Wild Creatures: Bonita Palma

Winner in Funniest - Comedy in a Spring Scene & What Makes Us Smile: Adam Lusch