Library Closed Memorial Day

The Beecher Community Library will be closed on Monday, May 29th in oberservance of Memorial Day. 

summer reading

2023 Summer Reading Program: Find Your Voice!

June 5th - July 31st

This year’s summer reading program is Find Your Voice!

Children keep track of their reading minutes and earn great prizes as they finish benchmarks based on their age.  Kids also earn raffle tickets as they read for fabulous grand prizes. Reading logs and directions will be available starting Monday, June 5th. 

Adults can win prizes from their own summer reading program which runs at the same time.

animals

Animals Around the World!

A Summer Reading Special Event

Presented by Incredible Bats

Friday, June 16th, 10AM
All Ages Welcome, No Registration Required
Location:  Washington Township Community Building  (673 Penfield St.)

Meet animal ambassadors from the Amazon Rain Forest, Africa, Australia, and several other places around the world! 

Participants will get to see a skunk, a rabbit, a ball python, a corn snake, an armadillo, sugar gliders, bats, and special guest Rico the two-toed sloth.  They’ll even get to pet some of the animals!

chess

Chess Night

Wednesday, June 7th, 6:30-8
Call to register by Monday, June 5th

Enjoy an evening play chess. Any age player is welcome, but players must already know how to play the game. 

Please bring along a chess set if you have it.

frog

We’re Growing a Frog From a Tadpole!

From Mid-May through July, the Library will be the temporary home of a tadpole.  Visit the Library to watch its progress as it grows into a frog!

During the first month, we’ll also be taking name suggestions for our new friend.  Look for updates posted on Facebook and Instagram.

Name Keychain

Name Keychains

Ages 6+
Tuesday, May 30th, 4PM
Wednesday, May 31st, 4PM:  SESSION FULL
Register by Friday, May 26th

Make beaded personalized keychains!

Tissue Painting

Tissue Paper Painting

Ages 6+
Tuesday, June 13th, 4PM
Wednesday, June 14th, 4PM & 6PM
Register by Friday, June 9th

Make a white drawing with a cool multi-colored background!

monster

Glow in the Dark Monster Rocks

Ages 6+
Tuesday, June 27th, 4PM
Wednesday, June 28th 4PM & 6PM
Register by Friday, June 23rd

Paint monster rocks that glow in the night!

Tie Dye

Tie-Dye T-Shirts

Ages 6+
Tuesday, July 11th,  4PM
Wednesday, July 12th, 4PM & 6PM
Register by Friday, July 7th

Make a tie-dye t-shirt to celebrate summer!

ice cream

Homemade Ice Cream

Ages 6+
Tuesday, July 25th, 4PM
Wednesday, July 26th, 4PM & 6PM
Register by Friday, July 21st

Churn up some ice cream in a zip lock bag!

rocket

Mini Bottle Rockets

Ages 6+
Tuesday, August 8th,  4PM
Wednesday, August 9th, 4PM & 6PM
Register by Friday, August 4th

Decorate and launch an M&M tube rocket!

Teddy Bear

Stuffed Animal Story Time and Sleepover

Tuesday, July 11th, 7PM
Register by Friday, July 7th

Children will enjoy a story time with their stuffed animal.  Stuffed animals will spend the night at the Library, and children will receive photos of the animal’s adventures the next day!

Dog Diaries

Graphic/Hybrid Novel Book Club for Kids

Wednesday, June 21st, July 19th, 4PM
The June book will be available May 17th

It’s a graphic/hybrid novel book club for kids!  We’ll discuss the book we’ve read and do a related activity.  The first book will be Dog Diaries by James Patterson, and kids will make dog toys.

Beecher Bookworm Buddies with Miss Jenny

Thursdays & Fridays, 10AM
Call to register.
Runs through June 2nd
Enjoy stories, activities, games, and crafts!

Summer Story Times in the Park
Location:  The Bandstand at Firemen’s Park
Thursday mornings, 10AM
June 8th - 22nd, July 6th - August 3rd

Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Congratulations to everyone who entered pumpkins into our pumpkin decorating contest!  Everyone did a wonderful job, and both adults and children have enjoyed looking at the pumpkins on display.  Don't forget to pick up your pumpkins on Friday 10/28 or Saturday 10/29.  Anything left over will be disposed of.

The winners for the contest are:
Birth - PreK:  1st Place:  Ruby Bivian, 2nd Place:  Davina Hood, 3rd Place:  Ellie Walker
K-5th Grade:  1st Place:  Zoey Manning, 2nd Place: Gabino Bivian, 3rd Place:  Emily Ryan
6th-12th Grade: 1st Place:  Madison Gibson, 2nd Place: Delila Magana, 3rd Place: Marios Killis

                     

 

 

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

 
The goal of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is to encourage caregivers to read to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Reading is important in early childhood - it sets kids up to learn to read and is an indicator of future academic success. Plus it's fun for adult and child!
 
1,000 books may seem like a lot but this goal can be reached in less than 3 years just by reading 1 book per day. Children receive a sticker and prize for every 100 books read. At 1,000 books, the child will receive a free book, certificate of achievement, and get their picture taken for our bulletin board! Sign up at the Library.

Library Study Rooms Now Available!

The library study rooms are now available.  Study rooms are available for two hour sessions for a max of four people.  Read more about the policies regarding study room use here.

Hoopla Now Available!

Hoopla Digital is now available for Beecher Community Library card holders!

Ebooks, music, audiobooks, comics, TV shows, and movies for all ages are available for checkout and can be enjoyed on all smart devices.

Patrons may check out a set number of items per month.  Best of all, checkouts are immediate…no waiting for holds to be filled!

Visit hoopladigital.com or download the app.

Beecher Sesquicentennial Books Now Available for Sale!

The Beecher Sesquicentennial Book is now available for sale at the Beecher Community Library! It celebrates the 150th Anniversary of Beecher and covers the years 1995-2020. Also available is the Beecher Quasquicentennial Book (1870-1995). Both were edited by Shirley Biery.

Price is $25 each or $40 for both. Stop by the Library during our curbside hours (M W F 10-2; Tu, Th 3-7), park in a curbside pickup spot, and call one of the phone numbers listed on the sign. Make checks out to Village of Beecher.

Downloadable E-Books and Audiobooks

The Library offers free ebooks and audiobooks through Media on Demand.  To get started, download the Libby (by Overdrive) app on apple and android tablets and smartphones, or for basic ereaders or other devices, click here for further assistance.  Books are available for adults, kids, and teens. 

Books are also available in foreign languages, such as Spanish. 

Need help?  Call (708-946-9090) or visit the Library.  

Tumblebooks Icon

Tumblebooks: Read Along Books for Children!

Tumblebooks is a digital collection of animated, talking picture books for children, whether they are learning to read or are already reading! To access TumbleBooks, click here and enter your Beecher Community Library card number. 

Can't Find What You're Looking for in the SWAN Catalog?

If you can't find a books or other materials in our SWAN Online Catalog, the Beecher Community Library may be able to find it for you through statewide interlibrary loan.  Call the Library (708-946-9090) to submit a special request for the material. 

Handicapped Sign

Illinois Talking Book and Braille Service Available

The Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS), offered through the state of Illinois, supports the activities of the Illinois Network of Libraries Serving the Blind and Physically Handicapped in providing excellent public library service to any Illinois resident who is unable to read standard print material due to a permanent or temporary visual or physical disability.  Through this service, citizens can borrow talking books, braille materials, and more.

For more information and to apply, visit the Talking Book and Brialle website.  The Beecher Community Library also offers audiobooks and large print materials for patrons with impaired vision.

Book Club

Join a Book Discussion at the Library

Looking for great reading and wonderful discussion? Try joining one of our book discussion groups.

Call the library for more information.

Computer

One-on-One Computer Instruction

The Beecher Community Library is offering 30 minute one-on-one computer sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2PM-5PM.  The following topics can be covered during the session:

  • Basic Computer Use
  • Using the Internet
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, or PowerPoint

Patrons should have a Beecher Library card and call the library to register for a session at least a day in advance.

Museum Adventure Pass

Museum Adventure Pass Program

Come to the library to get free or discounted tickets to 15 Chicago area cultural destinations, including the Brookfield Zoo and Legoland Discovery Center. Passes are available for Beecher Community Library cardholders on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can call the library to find out if passes are available. Visit www.museumadventure.org for more information.

Book

Library Board Meetings

Library board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of month at 7P.M. at the library and are open to the public. Visit the library board page for more information.