Search for Books, Movies, and More here!

Home>Children's Services>For Parents & Teachers

For Parents & Teachers

The Youth Services department provides services and materials for infants through fifth grade, their parents, teachers and others who work with young people. The services described here are offered to achieve our mutual goal: the education and enrichment of our local youth.

Schools in Our Region | Assignment Alert Services | Reference and Readers' Advisory Services | Book Pulls | Class Library Visits | Big Books | Textbooks in the Library | Outreach Storytime | Displays & Artwork | Book Lists and Professional Tools | Special Needs Collection |Math Bags

Schools in Our Region

District 101 - includes Field Park, Laidlaw, and Forest Hills
District 106 (Highlands)
St. John of the Cross Parish School
Kensington Preschool and Daycare (708-246-3491)
Grand Avenue Preschool
Montessori School of Western Springs
Sunflower Montessori School
Avery Coonley

Assignment Alert Services

Notifying us about assignments gives us time to obtain materials and prepare for student questions.

When you notify us of an assignment, we will pull the pertinent materials and set up a reserve shelf for your students' use. Materials may be made available for circulation or restricted for in-Library use depending upon the extent of resource needs.

When you assign work to your students involving library research, we do our best to assist them in finding the information they need. Fill out our online assignment alert form and we'll set aside materials needed to guide your students through their research.

Alternately, you can download a form (PDF) and bring it in; fax us a copy of your assignment (fax: 246-0403, attn. Youth Services); or call us at 246-0520.

We also welcome your suggestions for additional materials to enhance our collection, especially for those annual assignments.

Reference and Readers’ Advisory Services

The library staff can answer reference questions and help find information to fulfill assignment needs. The answers may be found in a variety of resources: books, online databases, magazine articles, websites, CD-Rom products, and videos. If you contact us before an assignment, we will be happy to find age-appropriate materials for your students’ use. If the Library does not own the materials needed, we can borrow them from another library in the Metropolitan Library System. Both the Youth Services and Adult Services departments have reference assistance available all hours the library is open.

You may also receive immediate online help by using Ask Away! Illinois. This service will allow you to instant message a librarian from your desktop. Readers’ Advisory is also an important part of our educator services. We can provide selections for a guest reader, recommend titles that will match your curriculum needs, and provide feedback on new releases.

Book Pulls

With advanced notice we will pull book selections for teachers to check out. We are happy to pull age-appropriate materials on your selected theme or pull from a suggested list that you supply. This service is designed to save you time and enrich your literature resources. You may use our [Book Pull Form] or call us to discuss your needs.

Please see Assignment Alert Services if you would like materials reserved for your students’ use.

Class Library Visits

Bring your class to the Library for a tour, for instruction in public library use, or to work on special projects. When your class visits to work on a project, we will provide a place to work, collect pertinent materials, and help answer questions. This is a great opportunity to use our resources and walk your students through the research process.

A Library orientation and tour is also a popular way to connect your class to our Library. Please call Youth Services to schedule a visit and view Using the Library with Children (PDF) to help set up a successful trip.

Big Books

We have an excellent collection of Big Books available educational use. You may view our Big Book Bibliography (PDF) to see titles and authors.

Big Books are circulated to educators only and must be obtained in Youth Services. You must have a valid library card in order to select up to 2 titles per time. Checkout is for three weeks with no renewal. These materials are not available for interlibrary loan.

Textbooks in the Library

We currently carry District 101 textbooks and workbooks (PDF) from first through fifth grade. Textbooks may be used in the Youth Services Department by showing a valid Library card or driver’s license. These resources may not be checked out from the Library. Please contact our department if you would like to place your school’s textbook or reading list in our Library.

Outreach Storytimes

We provide storytimes on a variety of themes for preschoolers and elementary students. We can provide read-alouds, movement activities, crafts or visuals to enhance this visit. We are happy to have you visit us for a field trip or to visit your school at a time period that works best for your classroom.

Displays & Art Work

We encourage local schools and institutions to display artwork and other special projects in the Library.  It's a great way to show off your students' work to parents and the community as a whole.   The walls leading into Youth Services are available on a pre-scheduled basis or larger pieces may be placed on top of our shelves.   Please contact us about available slots and other requirements.

We will generally allow displays to remain for two weeks.

Book Lists and Professional Tools

The Youth Services staff can provide a variety of book lists for different interests and genres, including fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, sports fiction and much, much more. In addition, we will be glad to create customized lists on the topic of your choice for your classroom needs. Please allow two weeks for a customized list. See Children's Services>Book Lists for our extensive collection of lists and bibliographies on popular topics and themes. In addition, ask for printed copies of any list at the Youth Services desk.

Special Needs Collection

Our special needs collection was developed with input from a variety of parents and educators that have an intimate knowledge of a variety of challenges. You can check out materials in our Library or request them via ILL. We welcome suggestions and input for this unique collection.

Math Bags

Check out one of our Math Bags! Each Math Bag features a book, guide and materials to help children learn a particular math concept. A list (PDF) of titles and concepts is provided.