For more information about anything listed go to www.blueislandlibrary.org, call (708) 388-1078 x. 19
or e-mail info@blueislandlibrary.org or check us out on Facebook!
LIBRARY BY APPOINTMENT
As we enter Phase 3 of Gov. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois Plan, limited public access to the Blue Island Public Library building will be available through timed appointments only. The library will now offer 30-minute time slots for patrons to use the computers or browse the stacks and checkout materials in person. Beginning June 8, 2020, patrons may reserve, up to a day in advance, two 30-minute slots per day. The time slots from 9:30-10:00 am and 10:00-10:30 am will be reserved for Senior use only. Reservations are first come, first served, and will be accepted by phone only. As building capacity limits must be maintained, the number of slots available for each time block is restricted. Call 708-388-1078 to reserve your time slot at the library. The library will continue to offer access to materials through Curbside Pickup service.
In accordance with public health directives, all patrons entering the library will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing for the entirety of their visit. Hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes are available for patron use at the library facility.
During this Phase, the library will be staffed from 9am-5pm on weekdays, with curbside service only on Saturdays from 11am-1pm.
CURBSIDE PICKUP SERVICE
Contactless Curbside Pickup, Reader’s Advisory, Technology Help, and Research Services are be available via phone or email. Wireless printing will be available to library card holders as well through our web print service and curbside pickup. Check out our YouTube and Facebook pages for all our Virtual Programming, and our website at blueislandlibrary.org for more service and information updates.
Placing Holds
You can place holds on items with your SWAN account in the library catalog or call (708.388.1078) or email (circulation@blueislandlibrary.org) the library to place items put on hold for curbside pickup.
You can also call or email (info@blueislandlibrary.org) the library to ask for reading, viewing, or listening recommendations and staff will select up to five titles for you to checkout.
Held items are not ready to be picked up until library staff contact you. When your items are ready to be picked up, library staff will contact you with information on curbside pickup for your items. If you have any questions, please call for information or instructions.
For Wireless Printing service, please submit your documents through the webprint link on blueislandlibrary.org, and call the library to let staff know to check the print queue and leave contact information. Your SWAN account will be charged $.10 per page that you send. Staff will notify you when your print job is available for pickup.
Library Phone Services and Contactless Curbside Pickup will be available each weekday from 11 am – 4 pm, and on Saturday 11 am – 1 pm.
FAQ:
How does Contactless Curbside Delivery work?
Place holds on books, CDs, DVDs, and other items using the online catalog. Staff will contact you when materials are ready to pickup between hours of 11 am and 4 pm, Monday – Friday, and 11 am to 1 pm Saturday.
You can also call or email the library to request items. Library staff will fill your request and call or email you when your items are ready for you to pick up.
When you arrive to pickup your items, park in the parking lot and call the library at 708.388.1078. Staff will place your bagged and labeled items on a table near the back door. Please remain in your vehicle until staff have finished placing your materials on the table.
What measures are you taking to ensure the safety of community members and library staff?
Library staff wear masks and gloves when handling library materials and are adhering to the strictest guidelines from the CDC. All materials are quarantined for three days prior to circulating, following best practices around sanitizing surfaces. For additional information on recommendations to libraries in mitigating COVID-19 when managing paper-based, circulating collections, visit the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences website.
All materials for contactless curbside pickup will be placed in a bag with date and time last handled.
Can I return my items to the library?
Yes, please return items in the library book drop. The book drop will be emptied daily by staff wearing masks and gloves, items inside are quarantined for the recommended 72 hours.
GENERAL
Summer Reading is going virtual at Blue Island Public Library. ‘Dig Deeper’ with our new app from Beanstack, available for free on the app store and Google play. The ‘Dig Deeper’ summer reading program runs from June 1- July 31. Download the app to log your reading, participate in reading and program challenges, and win great prizes. After downloading the app, search for Blue Island Public Library to create your account, and read with us all summer long!
We have links to online resources and virtual programs available to the public on our social media. Programs are posted to our Facebook page and hosted on Zoom, check our events calendar on our website for details. You can also sign up for our eNewsletter on our website to stay up to date.
You can still access library materials even though we are closed! Using your library card, you can sign up for Libby to access eBooks and eAudiobooks and Kanopy to access streaming movies and videos. Don’t have a library card? Go to our website to sign up for a temporary card to access all of our online resources right away!
Blue Island Public Library is seeking individuals interested in serving the community as a member of the Library Board of Trustees. If you are a resident of Blue Island and would like to get involved, please contact the library director awassenaar@blueislandlibrary.org.
Blue Island Public Library invites members of the public to share their collections in the library display case. Contact our business office at 708-388-1078 ex. 13 for an application.
ADULTS/ALL AGES
Drop-in Tech Help, Mondays, 10-11 AM, Get help with devices and any other questions you have about technology, no appointment needed!
Eleanor Roosevelt – A Living History Portrayal by Leslie Goddard, Tuesday, June 16th, 6 PM. Award-winning actress and scholar Leslie Goddard portrays one of the most fascinating and influential public figures of the 20th century based on letters, diaries, and writings from Eleanor herself.
Chair Yoga, Wednesday, June 17th, 12 PM, Get the wellness benefits of yoga without leaving the comfort of your chair! Great for those with limited mobility, seniors, office workers, and anyone who would like to learn simple exercises to improve flexibility.
Meditation: Finding Joy in Challenging Times, Tuesday, June 23rd, 6 PM, Learn simple and effective meditation techniques to help manage your stress and relieve anxiety with Sara Gerliczki, Certified Professional Coach and long-time meditator.
Caring Concert, Wednesday, June 24th, 10 AM, Enjoy popular music from the 1940s to the 1960s and reminisce over related experiences with a licensed music therapist. This type of music therapy is beneficial for individuals dealing with memory loss or those looking to keep their minds fresh.
Getting Started with Adobe Illustrator, Wednesday, July 1st, 12 PM, Discover the basics of the Illustrator workspace and learn how to open and save your images.
DIY Photograph Coasters, Tuesday, July 7th, 11 AM. Transform your favorite photographs into beautiful and functional tabletop decor.
Local Author Book Talk: Michael Walsh, Tuesday, July 7th, 6 PM. Michael Walsh discusses his book, “ZHIMON, A Solitary Adventure,” which recounts his experiences as a Vietnam vet embarking on a solo trip through the Canadian wilderness to try to realign his life.
Identifying Online Scams, Tuesday, July 14th, 11 AM. Learn how to identify phishing and online scams in today’s constantly evolving digital world.
Scan, Organize, Keep: How to Save and Store Your Photos, Tuesday, July 14th, 6 PM. Learn how you can preserve and store precious photographs, documents, and memories both physically and digitally.
Remembering Marshall Field’s, Tuesday, July 21st, 6 PM. Relive the glory days of Marshall Field’s department store with award-winning actress and historian Leslie Goddard as she regales you with fascinating tales from the store’s 154-year history.
KIDS
Storytime Tuesdays, Tuesdays, 10 AM. Join Ms. Claudia every Tuesday for story time on Facebook!
Virtual Storytime, Wednesdays, 10:30 AM. Join us on our Facebook page for a new virtual storytime video every Wednesday morning.
Storytime with Ms. Claudia, Tuesdays, 3 PM. Join Ms. Claudia for Storytime every Tuesday afternoon.
How to Make a Compost Bin, Wednesday, June 17th, 12 PM. Join Ms. Jamie on YouTube as she gives instructions on how to make a compost bin, and why they are so great!
Father’s Day Craft, Thursday, June 18th, 6 PM. We will be making a small gift for dad’s special day!
Animal Window Art for Kids, Monday, June 22nd, 3 PM. Hey kids let’s decorate beautiful animal art to hang in your window.
Fourth of July Craft, Thursday, June 25th, 6 PM. Let’s make a craft together for the 4th of July!
Fourth of July Craft (Facebook Live), Thursday, June 25th, 6 PM. Join Ms. Claudia for a 4th of July craft on Facebook Live!
Fourth of July with Ms. Claudia, Saturday, July 4th, 3 PM. Let’s read a story together.
Making Friendship Bracelets, Monday, July 6th, 3 PM. Hey kids let’s make beautiful Friendship Bracelets for the summer.
EVENTOS EN ESPAÑOL
La Hora del Cuento, todos los miércoles, 6pm. Cuentos en español para niños todos los miércoles.
Corona de Flores, jueves 25 de junio, 1pm. Materiales que necesitas de antemano: 20 tubos de papel de baño, pintura acrílica, pistola de silicona, tijeras y florecitas. Zoom, Meeting ID: 520 509 0829.
Taller del Censo, martes 30 de junio, 11am. Representante de AgeOption Jesus Enriquez te da información de que importante es llenar tu forma del Censo. Programa Virtual por Zoom. Meeting ID: 520 509 0829, Password: 1234
English Group Conversation, martes 14 de julio, 10am. Reunete al grupo para practicar tu inglés. Los temas incluyed la cultura estadoundense, pronunciación y dituaciones de la vida diaria. Programa por Zoom: Meeting ID: 878 9772 6034, Password: 897102
The library has SO much more than books! Check our website for databases, remote printing, instruments, STEAM Kits, and more.