LIBRARY CLOSURE - May 20-23
Bloomington Library will be CLOSED Monday-Thursday, May 20-23.
The Bookmobile will make its stops during these closures. The Bookmobile schedule is available at bit.ly/bookmobileschedule.
- Monday’s English Conversation Group will meet at STAR Literacy (201 E. Grove St.)
- Tuesday’s Fiction Book Club will meet online via Zoom. Visit bit.ly/fiction521 to register for this program and receive the Zoom link.
This closure will allow us to continue to unbox 107,000 books (which were moved to storage when our construction project began) and to shelve 262,000 books. Some collections and areas of the library will not be available until the library reopens on Friday, May 24.
During open hours leading up to the closure, call 309.590.6120 or text 309.446.8398 with questions.
Parents
If you’re searching for a dynamic and exciting place to enjoy quality family time, turn to Bloomington Public Library. The Library’s Children’s Department offers entertaining and educational programming, interactive activity kits, and shelves full of books and graphic novels which are sure to spark interest and curiosity in readers of all ages.
Student Library Accounts
Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library partner with District 87 and Unit 5 to provide a Student Library Account to any student who does not already possess an existing library account. Student Accounts allow check out of up to three physical items from the library, access to all the library’s online resources, and use of the teenZone for those in Grades 6-12. Any Student Account can be upgraded to a full-access Library Card if the student’s parent or guardian visits the Library with the student and proof of their current Bloomington address.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Program
It is never too early to start reading to kids! An early predictor of school achievement is being read to during childhood, and Bloomington Public Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program is here to help. This year-round, continuous program is designed to help parents and caregivers prepare children for kindergarten. Children age newborn to 5 years who have not yet started kindergarten may join this self-paced program.
To get started, stop by the Children’s Department and pick up a reading log, or print your reading log from home using the PDFs below. (Each reading log represents 100 books toward your goal.) As your child celebrates completing 100 books, 500 books, and finally 1000 books, their name will be added to our wall and they’ll receive a special tote bag reserved for those who reach the 1000-book milestone. For questions or help call 309.828.6091 or email reference@bloomingtonlibrary.org.
Use these links to print your reading logs from home:
Events for Kids & Teens
Mason Jar Ring Wind Chime
Mason Jar Ring Wind Chime
Mason Jar Ring Wind Chimes for Teens
With this take-and-make craft, teens can create a Wind Chime. Kits will be reserved for the first 40 teens who register.
English Language Conversation
The English Language Conversations Group, offered in partnership with STAR Adult Literacy, is designed for adults for whom English is a second language.
When a strange, violent storm forces your party to hide in a cavern, you discover a nefarious plot. It’s up to you to put a stop to these plans to engulf the land in eternal darkness!
Teen Craft: Upcycled Fabric Pendants
Teens who register for this program will follow instructions to create a fabric pendant necklace or keychain using 3D-printed frames and upcycled fabric.
Endangered Animal Scavenger Hunt
Endangered Animal Scavenger Hunt
Find 15 endangered animals in our Children's Department to complete our Pete the Cat and Friends Endangered Animal Scavenger Hunt.
Vase Designs with CodeBlocks
Tinkercad Codeblocks is a software program which allows blocks of code to create designs for 3D-printing models.
Zoovie at Miller Park Zoo
Join us at Miller Park Zoo for a family night zoovie. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem (PG) will be shown at 8pm.
Kerfuffle's "The Conductors"
Join us for Kerfuffle's The Conductors! presented by The Connecting Routes Project and Illinois Art Station and directed by Ashley Laverty.
Summer Chess Club
Calling all knights of the square table! Come to the Children's Department for an informal chess drop-in event. All levels of chess skills are welcome! Bring a friend to play with or come to meet a new checkmate (Ha ha!
Tales for Tails
This program pairs trained and certified therapy dogs with children in Grades K-5 who want to practice reading aloud.
There will be 4 time slots available for kids to meet and read to a pup in the Children's Department:
Tales for Tails
This program pairs trained and certified therapy dogs with children in Grades K-5 who want to practice reading aloud.
There will be 4 time slots available for kids to meet and read to a pup in the Children's Department: