news

October 14, 2019

We're taking our popular Cooks With Books program and going BIG during November! All are invited to join us for Local Flavors, Saturday, Nov 9, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Space is limited, so register soon. The knife skills and cake decorating workshops are already full.

Experience dishes and tastes from local providers like:
Christi’s Sweet Café
Cook Street Coffee
Cookie Decorator Kathi Frelk
Frantonio’s Italian Deli
Honey Lake Bee Co.
Mindful Waste
Smart Farms
Pine Food Company
Primo Pizza

Exchange tickets for sample bites, purchase vendor products, and meet the friendly faces behind these local flavors. More vendors being added all the time!

August 07, 2019

UPDATE: The Library's upper parking lot will be closed on Tuesday, Oct 15, until approximately 2 PM. Heavy construction work will be taking place on the southeast end of the building, requiring additional space for construction vehicle traffic. Please park in the lower lot, and use caution when driving or walking near the construction zone. The renovation projects are going well and are on schedule - stay tuned for more updates.

Renovation and maintenance work on the Library's façade and windows and the installation of a new cooling tower will begin in late August 2019. The work is expected to last into late fall/early winter, but weather and other factors may cause delays. The Meeting Room and Zimmerman Room will not be available during this time, so please note that many fall programs will take place in locations around the community. We apologize for any inconvenience while these essential projects are completed. Watch our social media sites for updates.

Projects that will be completed this year:
• Refinishing of the wood around the Atrium and Meeting Room windows and replacing window seals and damaged windows. Many of the windows leak during heavy rains, and the leaks also cause the Atrium to be quite cold during the winter months.
• Refinishing of all of the teak wood on the outside of the building, including the front walkway canopy and exterior doors.
• Repair of the masonry on the outside of the building.
• Reinforcing the ceiling in Administration, installing the new air conditioning chiller on the roof, and demolishing the cooling tower behind the upper lot. The current cooling tower is at end of life, and must be completely replaced.

These projects are being paid for from existing funds in the Library's Capital Reserve Fund.

June 11, 2019

The new Barrington Area Library app is ready and available for you to download!

Use the new app to:

• Access a digital version of your BALibrary card

• Manage multiple accounts

• Search the catalog for books, movies, and more

• Browse and register for events

• Contact us with your questions, find us on social media 

Download the app now in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

For questions and feedback, please contact our Digital Services department: digitalservices@balibrary.org

June 04, 2019

Let’s read Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, our 2019 Book of the Summer. It’s a story of community, acceptance, and hope. Get involved by coming to a program, starting your own book club with friends or family, or sharing your thoughts on Twitter! #BALBookOfTheSummer

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Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Her crow friend Bongo and other animals seek refuge in Red's hollows, as the wishtree watches over the neighborhood. It seems Red has seen it all…until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

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Attend our Wishtree programs! To register or find more information, check out our online calendar.

StoryWalk®: Picture a Tree
All ages w/caregiver | Drop in
Friday, June 7, 10:30 AM (1 hour)
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Form your own book club! Get started with our guide.

Discussion Questions:
• Why is Red important to the neighborhood? To the animals? To Samar?

• Why do you think the neighborhood doesn’t make Samar and her family feel welcomed? How do you think you would act towards her?

• Why do you think it’s easier for Samar to make friends with animals than other children? Do you ever think it’s easier to talk to a pet than another person? Why or why not?

• Why do you think the boy carves the word into Red’s bark? How does this affect the characters - Red, Bongo, Samar, and her family? How does this affect the whole community?

• Why does Francesca want to cut Red down? How does Red react to this news?

• Red wonders, “How does friendship happen?” (p. 82). How would you answer this question? Does it happen on its own, or do you have to work for it?

• Stephen says, “My parents aren’t bad people. They’re just...afraid of things” (p. 125). How can fear cause people to act? What do you think can help people feel less of afraid of things they don’t know or understand?

• Red says, “I wanted to make a difference, just a little difference, before I left this lovely world” (p. 126). What difference does Red make? What can you do to make a difference in this world?

Activity Ideas:
• Take a nature walk, in a park, forest preserve, or your neighborhood, with a friend or family member. Talk about the trees you see. Do they seem to have different “personalities”? Which trees do you like the most?

• Is there anyone who moved into your neighborhood recently? Try to make them feel welcomed by delivering a care package or note.

• Find an organization that assists people in need. See if you or your family can help in any way, with volunteering, donations, or sharing the word with friends.

• Start a leaf collection; glue, trace, or draw the leaves you find. Use a guidebook to identify the trees they come from, or this online resource.

• Create a portrait of Red, or a tree that’s special to you. Use whatever materials inspire you.

• Add a wish to the library’s Wishtree art, in the Youth Department.

• Make a pledge to welcome people with different backgrounds, opinions, beliefs, or abilities. See the Wishtree printable poster for inspiration.

Keep reading! Finished Wishtree? Looking for more great books? Try one of these.

May 14, 2019

Summer Reading 2019: Now - August 19
For Kids, Teens, and Adults 

Our popular summer reading event is drawing to a close for 2019! Get your reading time and activities logged in now.

How it works:
1. Use your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
2. Create an account at balibrary.org/summer.
3. Sign up for 2019 Summer Reading.
4. Get busy: you'll earn points and real/digital badges by logging in your reading, reviewing, and other fun learning activities.
5. Win big: visit the Library to collect your badges and prizes.

Parents: download a description of badges/activities for grades K-8.

All readers can earn:
➠ One free paperback book (reader's choice, while supplies last)
➠ One Summer Reading Pass, good for a free activity at a participating location in the Library district
➠ One Library lanyard

Young adults can win Airpods, and adults can win a gift card toward a great local dining experience!

Grand Prize:
Readers of all ages that complete the reading goal will be entered to win a one-year, six-person membership to the Morton Arboretum. Three passes in all, one winner in each category: Birth - Preschool, Kindergarten - Grade 8, Adult.

Read It Forward:
Great news! Our community of readers reached a collective 1,000,000+ points, far exceeding our 2019 reading goal, so Barrington Bank and Trust will generously donate $1,000 to the Cuba Township and Barrington Township Food Pantries.

Thank you to all our Summer Reading sponsors:
Barrington Bank and Trust
Barrington Park District
Barrington's White House
Pinot's Palette South Barrington
Pinstripes South Barrington
Windy City Bulls