Blog

Des Plaines is a uniquely diverse community and the library tries to reflect that in our collections.

We now have a new collection  to help our youngest patrons celebrate their rich cultural heritages.

Drum roll, please...

Introducing "Holiday Board Books-Let's Celebrate Together!"

Each month board books (perfect for little hands and dribbly mouths) will be switched up according to what holidays are coming up.   

Continue Reading "Holiday Board Books" →

In the library world, we say the content of books and other media provides windows and mirrors which reflect all of us, after Rudine Sims Bishop’s original 1990 article.

We do this a lot in the context of why we need diversity* in children’s and young adult books. 

We say, all children need to be able to see themselves in what they read/watch/hear (the metaphorical “mirror”, validating that they are seen, they count and matter, and are not “side characters” on earth). 

We say, children also need to read widely to explore, learn empathy, and have windows to other cultures that they are not familiar with.

This paradigm has since been broadened with the nuanced addition of prisms and more.

Clearly it’s not just children who need and benefit from diverse books.  We never stop needing mirrors and windows. 

And we cannot prescribe diversity for children if we adults aren’t open to stomaching material outside of our own comfort zones.

Continue Reading "We Never Stop Needing Windows and Mirrors" →

Here's what DPPL's Readers' Advisory staff is reading this month, and suggest you do as well!

READ IT NOW

The Youth Services Team loves going on adventures together through books, movies, video games, and much more. Find out where your favorite librarians have traveled this month!

READ IT NOW

Hey, Kiddos! It's time for a new edition of DIY with DPPL!

This time, you'll learn how to make your very own stained glass paper lanterns.

Starting on Saturday, February 4th, stop by the Youth Services desk on the second floor of DPPL to pick up a kit (while supplies last!).

Then use the materials to do the project we show you step-by-step in the video. (Grade 1 and up.)