Play with your young children in our early literacy area.
Explore all five early literacy skills (talking, reading, singing, playing, and writing) in our play area (it is even written in the clouds that hang above it). We encourage families to read and sing nursery rhymes that decorate its walls, play with all the fun toys that are in the cubbies, and explore all the manipulatives that encourage interactions between caregiver and child! You will have so much fun, you will never want to leave. For more information for parents, check out our Parent Guide.
Day off? Visit area attractions with our museum pass programs.
The Museum Pass Program allows Des Plaines Public Library card holders to check out one pass per family for 7 days. You can download a list of the participating museums in English or Spanish; or visit their website for more information on what each pass allows. Some museums use the pass for buy-one-get-one admission or completely free admission into the facility.
Explore More Illinois is a free service provided by your library that grants instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theatres, and other fun and local cultural venues. Here is a guide with frequently asked questions. Click here to get started.
Homebound? Apply for our delivery service and we'll bring the library to you.
Our homebound delivery service opens up our wonderful collections to those of you who cannot come to the library in person. Whether it's because of a temporary disability or some other reason, we can work with you to deliver a wide variety of materials to help you work, learn and play.
We can select materials for you based on your needs and interests. Volunteers deliver materials on a biweekly or monthly basis.
Explore science in all its forms with a family Discovery Kit.
Discovery Kits empower kids to see themselves as scientists, engineers, creators, and makers. Inspired by both STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the Maker Movement, each Discovery Kit includes a hands-on experience to encourage curiosity, learning, and experimentation.
Whether it's learning math from playing Free Range Fractions to building while learning about shapes, Discovery Kits are a fun way to expand your knowledge at home.
Borrow a Google Home Mini or Amazon Echo Dot and entertain party guests this season.
Try out the Google Home Mini, a smart speaker that can play music and do more, controlled by your voice. Requires a Google account, home Wi-Fi, and smartphone or tablet.
The latest Amazon Echo Dot, a smart speaker that can play music and do more, controlled by your voice. Requires an Amazon account, home Wi-Fi, and smartphone or tablet. Smart speakers, as with other devices, are factory reset after being returned to the library. Explore All Our Tech To Go
Join Patch Club or 1KB4K, our reading clubs for kids of all ages.
Reading Patch Club (preschool–8th grade)
Earn embroidered patches in a variety of categories and genres, including animal stories, fantasy, scary stories, mysteries, and more. Sponsored by Friends of the Library. Offered September through May. Register at the Youth Services Desk to receive your Reading Patch Folder with a trading card pouch to collect your patches.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten (or 1KB4K)is a program that rewards parents and kids for reading stories aloud. Reading aloud not only creates a positive bonding moment between an adult and child, but also helps children develop language skills.
Traveling this winter? Download audiobooks from Libby and Hoopla.
With Hoopla digital you can stream movies, television shows, music and audiobooks directly to your computer, IOS, Android device and select Kindle Fires. Hoopla also allows you to download items for offline use with the appropriate App. DPPL card required. Get Started
Overdrive powered by the Libby App, is our virtual branch filled with over 30,000 unique titles. eBooks and audiobooks are available in a variety of formats to work with the most popular devices. DPPL card is required. Get Started
Feeling stuck with homework? Get live tutoring with Help Now.
Get FREE online help for kids, teens, and adults from HelpNow. All core subjects offered (grades 3-12): math, science, social studies, writing assistance, English/language arts, and reading assistance. Resume and cover letter review for job hunters too! Get Started
Discover educational options at our annual Preschool Fair on January 7th.
Meet program representatives and gather information about preschool and preschool activities in the area. The first 50 families to enter the fair will receive a free book. Registration is not required. More Information
Snow Day? Stream an indie movie marathon using Kanopy.
Kanopy offers the latest independent, foreign, classic & documentary films. Over 30,000 films are offered, including The Criterion Collection, Media Education Foundation, The Great Courses, New Day Films, and more. Get Started
Start your own podcast! Record high quality audio with our Podcast Interview Kit.
This kit contains everything to get started making high-quality digital recordings. Kit contains one Zoom H4n Pro recorder (with case), 2 Shure SM58 microphones, 2 sets of Sennheiser HD202 headphones, 2 microphone table stands (with bags), 2 XLR audio cables, 2 wind screens for microphones, and a 5-way Belkin audio splitter. Check It Out
Make a difference! Earn teen service hours through several fun programs.
If you're here, it's because you're interested in giving back to your community. Maybe you want to be a volunteer because you're looking for a fun thing to do in your free time. Maybe you have to volunteer for school. Whatever the reason, we can help you figure out what to do. All the Details
Don't stress! Prep for the ACT/SAT online or at one of our practice sessions.
ACT/SAT TestPrep online with RB Digital, offering comprehensive self-paced programs to help you raise your test scores. First time users of RB Digital will need to create an account.
Or register for one of our ACT/SAT prep classes. Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the SAT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning. Check the Teen Calendar for 2020 dates
Pick up a used book or DVD from the Friends' Book Nook on the 1st floor.
Find great books available at bargain prices at the Book Nook, open during regular library hours. Just check out the shelves on the first floor. Pay for the books at the information desk on the first floor. More Information
