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A ribbon cutting sponsored by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce led off the festivities at The Remix, the library's grand reopening. Pictured: Suzanne Corr, President, Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce; Charlotte Neault, Chairman, BACC; John Haniotes, Barrington Bank and Trust; Barbara Pintozzi, Secretary, Barrington Area Library Board of Trustees; William Pizzi, Library Trustee; Karen Darch, Village President of Barrington; Carrie Carr, Library Trustee; Edmund Tobias, D.D.S., Vice-Chair and Treasurer, BACC; Don Minner, President, Library Board of Trustees; Richard Ryan, President Emeritus, Library Board of Trustees; Detlev Pansch, Library Executive Director; Carolyn Welch Clifford, Vice-President, Library Board of Trustees; Kathleen Leitner, Village President of Tower Lakes.
After a 14-month renovation project, 1,200 guests attended “The Remix,” the Barrington Area Library’s grand reopening on Sunday, June 22, 2014. Crowds formed early to watch a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m., hosted by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. Participants in the ribbon cutting included the Library’s Board of Trustees, Barrington Village President Karen Darch, Tower Lakes Village President Kathleen Leitner, Chamber President Suzanne Corr and Chamber Chairman Charlotte Neault. Applause rang through the library’s beautiful atrium as the ribbon was cut, and the festivities got underway.
Guests enjoyed live jazz from guitarist Jerry TIberi and the Jazz For You quintet, while sampling food from Barrington favorites, like Frantonio’s, Clarke’s Bakery and Deli, Cooper’s, Sergio’s, and Heinen’s/Hissho Sushi. Library Executive Director Detlev Pansch and department heads gave tours of the completely renovated library, pointing out highlights like the new MakerLab, digital creation studios, meeting rooms of all kinds, and the exciting, interactive new Youth Services department. Visitors received a warm, tail-wagging welcome from some four-legged friends, too, a group of Barrington area TDI certified therapy dogs, who also participate in the library's "Read To Rover" programs. A surprise visit from the Gelato D'Oro gelato truck capped off a fun afternoon. See an online photo gallery here.
Thank you, Barrington, for a wonderful turnout to our grand reopening, for your patience during the construction project, and your ongoing support for (almost) 100 years of library service in Barrington!
We were delighted by the following two videos which highlight some of the exciting new services and spaces here at the library, as well as capturing the fun of our Remix event. Thank you to 365 Barrington and Living 60010 for sending out these young, enthusiastic, and very talented reporters!
VIDEO: Inside the the New Barrington Area Library from Living60010 on Vimeo.
Sunday, June 22, 2014: we invite you to experience The Remix, the official grand reopening celebration of the Barrington Area Library!
Join us at 1 p.m. for the ribbon cutting ceremony with our Board of Trustees, library administrative personnel, the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, and elected officials from the Barrington area.
Then, you and your family can enjoy:
- tours of the newly "remixed" Barrington Area Library, including the brand new Business & Technology Center, and the Youth Services department everyone is talking about;
- a meet and greet with our furry "Read To Rover" friends - trained therapy dogs and their human companions;
- live jazz from the Jazz For You combo;
- delicious treats from Frantonio's, Wild Asparagus, Cooper's, Sergio's, Clarke's, and Heinen's;
- souvenir photos from Photo Booth Express;
- a surprise visit mid-afternoon from Gelato D'Oro - while supplies last;
- free library tote bags and other giveaways - while supplies last.
We would be so honored if you would join us for this day of celebration. We are grateful for the support we receive from everyone in the Barrington area, and for your continued patience through 14 months of construction. This is your new community gathering space, so come over and make yourselves at home!
Read To Feed
Summer Library Club 2014 for Adults and Young Adults
Monday, June 2 – Friday, August 15
Shop, Eat, and Read To Help People In Need
Indulge your love of reading while helping our community. Read To Feed challenges adults and young adults to read more than 1,500 books in our Summer Library Club. If the goal is met, select Barrington businesses will donate a portion of one day's proceeds to help feed the hungry. All proceeds benefit the Barrington Township Food Pantry and the Cuba Township Food Pantry.
Thank you, Read To Feed Participating Businesses!
The following businesses generously tallied up proceeds from one particular day this summer and have agreed to donate those proceeds to our local food pantries if library club readers meet their 1,500 book goal. As of August 12, we are just 97 books away from that goal! Please patronize these businesses and thank them for partnering with the library and supporting the Barrington and Cuba Township Food Pantries.
Jimmy John’s
Cooper’s Pizza
Subway
Meathead’s
Norton’s USA
Paul’s Burrito Express
Nature’s Select Pet Products
Savory Salads
Calibrè Coffee
Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria and Pub
Bear Family McDonald’s Restaurants
Cook Street Coffee
Hit a road block on your genealogy search? Curious if there's any truth to a long-held family secret or story? Don't know much about your family tree? We're looking for Barrington Area Library cardholders who aren't camera shy to be part of an exciting video project. If selected, an experienced librarian will help you uncover your family history. Use the form below to apply online, or contact Kate at kmills@balibrary.org for more information.
Journeys in Genealogy was recently featured on 365 Barrington.
Celebrate February, the month of romance (well, and the month of bad weather), with a blind date! We mean a blind date with an e-book, of course, delivered right to your favorite personal device, like a tablet or iPad.
How does it work?
Between February 1-28, send an email to AdultRef@balibrary.org. Put the phrase "blind date" in the subject line, and then tell us what type of books you like to read. Sweet romances? Breath-taking thrillers? Murder and mayhem? LOL funny? Include your library card number in the email, and then we'll surprise you with a "blind date" e-book downloaded onto your device.
Try it! And whether your first date is a success or a flop, you can always request another title.