We are not giving out solar eclipse glasses. On Monday we will have pairs to use at the Library to view the eclipse and we'll be live streaming the eclipse from Carbondale, IL. 

Most places are out of solar eclipse glasses now. There are some events around Chicagoland that will be giving out limited amounts of glasses. Some of those events have admission costs.

If you want to view the eclipse, you can create a pinhole projector or find a place that will have glasses to use the day of. Please stay safe while viewing the eclipse. Again, we will have solar eclipse glasses to use at the Library during the event.

The Woodridge Public Library invites Woodridge artists to register for the 17th Annual Woodridge Art Show being held in October. This popular show gives Woodridge residents 18 years and over a chance to display up to three original pieces of art. Beginners as well as experienced artists are welcome. An application form and information for participants is available online or at the circulation desk. Registration is open through September 22.

The value of today’s libraries goes beyond books. Librarians are leaders in their communities – helping people of any age to find what they need to help improve their quality of life. This September, we're joining with the American Library Association and libraries nationwide for Library Card Sign-up Month, an initiative to make sure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card. 

Libraries build a foundation for children’s future success starting from the earliest stages of development. Librarians play a key role in helping children develop the basic tools for school readiness by teaching families the components of early literacy. As of 2010, children’s programs accounted for nearly two thirds of library programming in the United States, with more than 2.3 million children’s programs nationwide. Older students can also find tools for success at their local libraries, where they can access high-speed Internet and digital tools, as well as working with trained professionals on how best to use these resources. 

As new technologies evolve, libraries continue to lead the way in providing equity of access to digital tools and media, which has become increasingly important in high-poverty areas where students are less likely to have a computer or internet service at home. Close to 90 percent of libraries offer digital literacy training to help students of all ages navigate today’s changing world. 

Resources at the Woodridge Public Library are available to anyone with a library card. Students can turn to the library for materials, programs and knowledgeable library staff that support academic achievement.  
 
To celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month and our Golden Anniversary, we have special gold library cards for new and current library members. Encourage a friend or neighbor to get their library card, or come upgrade yours. 

And the winner is...stretchy, glittery and oh so slimy!
 
After a complete and thorough judging of the Teen & Tween Slime contest by the Library GOATs (Group of Advising Teens), a Most Awesome Slime award goes to slime expert Victoria T. The "Golden Glitter" slime concoction won over the judges with its soft touch, easy stretch, good smell and strength during the pulling and tossing. Our thanks to all of the slime participants for their successfully slimy creations. All slime contestants should visit the Circulation Desk for a prize or thank you gift, and to retrieve their slime.
 

Winning Slime Recipe

1. Add 2 1/2 bottles of Elmer's clear glue to a bowl
2. Grab a separate bowl and mix 1 tablespoon of Borax and 1 tablespoon of warm water
3. Slowly add borax solution to the glue, mixing after each tablespoon is added
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until slime doesn't stick to your work surface

BOOKFACE \ ˈbu̇k -fās \ noun

A photograph of a person holding up a book so the face or body on the cover matches their own. Can be done with multiple people.

November 1 – November 26 teens can submit a #bookface to askus@woodridgelibrary.org to be entered to win a $25 gift card. Email entries must include the photo, and the entrant’s name, age, and phone number or email address. Photos can be of the entrant or a friend.

Entries will be posted to the library’s Instagram. People can vote on entries by liking them. Voting ends on December 10. Gift cards will be awarded to the photo with the most votes on Instagram and the one with most votes from library staff.

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

Congratulations to the winners of our Focus on Nature Photography Contest! The entries showcased 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 Nature - Focus on Forms, Colors, & Texture in Nature: Courtney Peterson

Winner in Backyard Nature - Connecting With Nature Where We Live: Wyndie Giles

Winner in Funniest - Comedy in Nature & What Makes Us Smile: Denise Klingbeil

Winner in Landscape - A Sense of Place, With or Without People: Henry Ristic

Winner in Macro Nature - Close-Up Images: Bonita Palma

Winner in People & Nature - Recreation, Adventure, & People Enjoying the Outdoors: Glenn Afryl

Winner in Plants - Cultivated or Wild: Katie Richards

Winner in Travel - Nature Conveyed Through a Distant Place: Scott Seifrid

Winner in Water - From Above or Below: Timothy Patrick

Winner in Wildlife - Focus on Wild Creatures: Mary Jo Fedele

We've added titles, improved access and taken advantage of newly available resources to provide you with more of what you want - at home, for free.

We're bust adding more book copies and new titles to your digital library. Head to Media On Demand, eRead Illinois, or hoopla for e-books and audiobooks. Don’t forget magazines from RBDigital. Get the Libby, Axis 360, hoopla digital (on the Apple app store and Google Play) and RBDigital apps to use these services on your tablet or smartphone.

Over 4000 classic titles in both ebook and audiobook formats have been added to Media On Demand. Multiple users can borrow the same book at the same time - with no holds or wait times. Titles include  The Call of the Wild, Little Women, Emma, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Moby Dick, and The War of the Worlds.

Any items checked out from these collections return automatically so there will never be fines. You can use one, a few, or all of them. Items in Media on Demand and eRead Illinois may have waiting lists but hoopla items and RBDigital magazines are always available.

Updated 4/29/2020

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.

Items that are eligible for automatic renewal and that do not have holds on them will be automatically renewed two days before they are due. You will receive an email about the items that were renewed with the new due date as well as about items that were not renewed if you have an email address in your account. If you do not have an email address on your account, you can check due dates by logging into “My Account” on the library catalog or contacting the library. Please contact us if you’d like to add your email address to your account.  

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)

We have begun to reintroduce services with outdoor book returns now open and the ability for patrons to order books online or by phone and have them brought out to their trunk through a "contactless" process.

Book, DVD and other library items must be returned to our outdoor book drops. Staff cannot accept your returns at the building or during the Curbside Pickup service. We appreciate your cooperation as we safely handle all library materials.

You may return materials at your convenience; currently checked out materials will remain fine free until July. Returned materials will be placed in an extended quarantine before check-in, with minimal handling by staff and no access to the public until they are deemed safe for circulation. Our research-informed approach to the book return process will follow the latest recommendations from experts in the field of materials handling, best practices for public libraries and guidance from the CDC and IDPH.

The new service, Curbside Pickup, is now available. Woodridge Public Library cardholders can request materials and staff will fill their request through a "contactless delivery" process. Learn the details.

Because recommendations and best practices are ever-evolving, you may see our plans evolve, with the latest updates available on the library website and through our social media (Facebook and Twitter). Following the state’s extended stay-at-home order, the library building will remain closed to the public until early July. Throughout the reintroduction of services, staff will continue to be available to answer questions and help at askus@woodridgelibrary.org. Staff is also available by pjone: Adult & Teen Services at 630-487-2577 and Children's Services at 630-487-2578.

Updated 6/11/2020

We are hosting a special 50th Anniversary Ice Cream Party on Saturday, July 29 at noon. 

Patrons of all ages are invited to have a free scoop of ice cream at our Summer Reading celebration. The Darien Culver's will be sending their mascot, Scoopy, out to the library to take photos and join in the fun. 

No sign-up, just ice cream and smiles for everyone - while the scoops last!

You still have time to join a Summer Reading program. We have a reading club, book suggestions and prize chances for every age, through July 29.

Available Services as of January 21

• Browsing the collection, checking out & picking up holds
• Wi-Fi & printing/copying/faxing/scanning
• Limited computers with 2-hour time limit; no reservations
• Book Sale
• Limited tables & seating: extended visits are not possible
• Curbside Pickup & Kid Book Bundles
• Book Returns open

• Meeting and study rooms are not available
• In-person library programs are not being held
• Limited children’s activities: toys, puzzles & learning kits removed
• Donations are not being accepted

3 Ways to Make Curbside Requests

1. Place Holds in the Catalog 
2. Call Us: Adults & Teens 630-487-2577, Children 630-487-2578
3. Request Kid Book Bundles: Fill out Children's Request Form, one for each child: Staff will assemble book bundles based on your child's age and interests.

• When picking up items, park in a designated Curbside Pickup space.
• Text "I'm here" to 630-937-9230 or call 630-964-7899.
• You will be asked for your name and library card number.
• Pop your trunk and stay in your car.
• Staff will put the materials in your trunk.