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Children's Services

Summer Reading Club Information

This summer the Thomas Ford Memorial Library encourages all children to "Make a Splash-READ!" Join the Youth Services Summer Reading Club and explore the world of water and water fun through activities about oceans, rivers, lakes and pools and the creatures that live there. The Summer Reading Club runs from June 7 to August 6.

How to sign up:


For children birth to 23 months:

  • Sign up your baby in person. Please bring a valid library card.
  • Earn prizes for completing activities with your baby. We'll provide you with ideas when you sign up.

Prizes for children birth to 23 months:

Goal 1: Beach ball and Snackers Cafe coupon
Goal 2: Rattle, placemat and DuPage Children's Museum ticket
Goal 3: Board book, completion certificate, Lou Malnati's pizza coupon and raffle ticket for grand prize drawing
Bonus Goals: Raffle ticket

For children 2 years and up:

  • Sign up in person for the Summer Reading Club. Please bring a valid library card.
  • Keep track of the minutes you spend reading or are read to using the time log we provide.
  • Return the time log after every 4 hours of reading and collect your prizes.

Prizes for children over 2:

Goal 1: Turtle squirter and Snackers Café coupon
Goal 2: Shark pencil sharpener and DuPage Children's Museum ticket
Goal 3: New/gently used book, dolphin beach safe, completion certificate, Lou Malnati's pizza coupon and raffle ticket for grand prize drawing
Bonus Goals: Raffle ticket


Splashy Contests

Contests start the week of June 14.

  • Fish Bowl Madness: This is a weekly contest where you try to guess the number of items in the fish bowl. The best guess of the week wins the contents of the bowl.
  • Find the Fish: Each day a fish will be hidden in the department. The lucky one to find the fish gets to pick from the treasure chest.
  • Sea Spoof: This is a weekly contest for non-readers. They will have to pick out the item that does not belong. Each week a winner will be randomly chosen from those who answer correctly.
  • Catch of the Week: This is a weekly contest for readers. Did you recently finish reading or listening to a book? Tell us about it by filling out an entry form each week for a chance to win a prize from the treasure chest.


Video games are here!

The Thomas Ford Library now has Nintendo Wii and DS video games available for checkout in Youth Services. Please note that patrons must have a library card from Thomas Ford Library to check out video games. To place a hold, please see a staff member or call Youth Services. Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey!