Services for Preschools and Day Care Centers
Our Youth Services Department offers a variety of services to support early childhood educators in Des Plaines. For further information or to arrange for one of these services, please contact Preschool Liaison Courtney O'Keefe at 847-376-2797 or by email.
Preschool and Day Care Center Library Cards
All preschools and day care centers located within incorporated Des Plaines (excluding home-based centers) are eligible for a library card. To receive a library card, request an application from the Registration Desk at 847-376-2787, or download the application.
Teacher Bookbags
A Book Bag is a collection of up to 25 library resources (books, music, or DVDs), selected by the Youth Services Staff, that may enhance lesson plans and help boost the classroom library. Book Bags may be checked out for four weeks using a personal library card or the school’s library card. Simply call the Youth Services Department at 847-376-2839, or fill out the request form online. Your Book Bag will be ready for pick-up at the Library in three business days.
Need a book we don't own or multiple copies of a book? We can order them from neighboring libraries in our system. Talk to our helpful Youth Services staff.
If you would like to obtain books for lit circles or classroom sets, please see Classroom Sets for Book Discussions.
Storytime Visits
We would love to present special stories and songs to your preschool-aged students. Storytime Visits can be scheduled to fit into your school’s schedule in the fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Library Tours
Bring your students to the Library for a tour of the Youth Services Department. We will include a storytime, and classes can stay to play with puzzles and puppets in the Friend Ship, enjoy the train tables, and read quietly in the Poet Tree Corner. The children will be encouraged to browse the picture book collection and can check out materials using their personal library card or the school’s library card.
Preschool Fair
Watch for information on our annual Preschool Fair, held at the Library each year in January. The Preschool Fair provides area parents with the opportunity to learn about the different preschool programs available in our community. Area preschools and day care centers can reserve a table to display information and materials.
Library Services- Elementary and Middle School
Our Youth Services Department offers a variety of services to support elementary and middle schools in Des Plaines. For information, please contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaughlin@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.
Assignment Alert
Let us know in advance what your students will be studying so they can find what they need when they come to the library. We can locate useful materials. And, when resources are limited or demand is high, we can set aside relevant materials for in-library use only. Complete the Assignment Alert Form or contact the Youth Services Desk at 847-376-2839.
Teacher Bookbag Request
Library Tours
Computers
Online Resources
We subscribe to several online resources with age-appropriate content specifically geared to K-8 curriculum. These are especially helpful for subjects with limited print resources. Most of the databases are available through our Web site from home or school with a Des Plaines library card. Would you like a librarian to help your students learn how to use these databases? Contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via email smclaughlin@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.
Additional Services
Promote Reading with State Book Awards
Monarch Award Book Bags
Introduce your students in grades K-3 to the books nominated for the Monarch Children’s Choice Award. Each of our Monarch bookbags contains five of the nominated books. Any child who reads or listens to at least five nominated books is eligible to vote next February. We’ll be happy to provide you with reproducible evaluation forms and ballots. To request a bookbag or a classroom booktalk, please contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaughlin@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.
Rebecca Caudill Booktalks in your Classroom
Students in grades 4-8 who read or listen to at least three nominated books may help choose the winner of The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award next February. If you would like to schedule a Caudill booktalk or to request feedback forms for your students, please contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaughlin@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.
Library Services- Homeschool
Our Youth Services Department offers a variety of services to assist homeschooling families in Des Plaines. For more information, please contact Librarian Lee Cho via email (lcho@dppl.org) or by phone at 847-376-2804.
Homeschooling Resources
The library has a Homeschooling collection to enhance homeschooling curriculum. The collection offers special homeschooling manuals for parents, textbooks, as well as homeschooling guides for every age group. Also available are a number of related magazines. Click here for a selection of Web sites for Homeschooling.
Library Tours
Computers
Online Resources
We subscribe to several online resources with age-appropriate content specifically geared to K-8 curriculum. These are especially helpful for subjects with limited print resources. Most of the databases are available through our Web site from home or school with a Des Plaines library card. Would you like a librarian to help your students learn how to use these databases? Contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaughlin@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.
Additional Services
Junior Great Books
These discussions for grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 are directed by trained leaders. They feature stories and texts that help children develop literacy skills, such as reading carefully, thinking critically, and speaking persuasively.
Schools
Preschools
Elementary Schools
Web sites for Teachers
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