Board Meeting Date Changes

The Library Board of Trustees will hold their regular monthly board meetings on Tuesday, November 14th at 7PM and Tuesday, December 12th at 7PM in the Library meeting room.

App

The SWAN Libraries App

Unfortunately, The vendors that support the SWAN Libraries app have unexpectedly disabled the app. SWAN is working to get a new app up and running in the new year. In the meantime, you can use our regular online catalog (beecherlibrary.org/catalog) on your phone’s internet browser to check your account and use your digital library card at the circ desk. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Drop In Fun

Visit the Library while we are open and enjoy these activities!

Gratitude Tree
Runs Through November 30th
Visit the Library to share on a leaf what you’re grateful for and add it to our gratitude tree.

Ornament Coloring
Runs Through Friday, November 17th
We’re decorating a Christmas tree on Rt. 1 this year and have some cute ornaments to color for our tree!

Elf on a Bookshelf!
Mon, Nov. 27th -  Wed. Dec. 20th
Everyday Elf will hide amongst the book shelves.  Find him and earn a sticker and raffle ticket for a small prize. (For kids only.)

Christmas Card Making
Mon, Nov. 27th -  Wed. Dec. 20th
Write and decorate a Christmas card to mail to family or a friend!

Poptart Gingerbread House

Pop Tart Gingerbread Houses

For Kids of All Ages
Tues, Dec. 5, Wed. Dec 6, or Thurs. Dec. 7th, 4PM each day.
Register by Friday, December 1st

Build a gingerbread house using pop tarts!

Tree Frame

Adult Craft Night: Christmas Scrapbook Frames

Wednesday, December 6th, 7PM
New Session:  Thursday, December 7th, 7PM
Ages 18+, Cost:  $10.00
Register by Friday, December 1st Monday December 4th

Paint a 9” x 12” wood frame and decorate it with scrapbook paper trees. We’ll have a variety of options, so you can make it your own!

White Chistrmas and Judy Garland

Holiday Movie Music

Wednesday, December 13th, 7PM

Film historian John LeGear showcases some of the happiest and most memorable holiday musical moments from classic and popular films. Join us for songs, dances, and magical movie scenes from some of the most warmly embraced holiday films of all time, among them “Holiday Inn,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Polar Express,” “Going My Way,” and of course, Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”

This presentation will run for 80 minutes.  Refreshments will be served.

Present

Make a Present for Your Parent

Ages  6+
Wed. Dec. 13th, 4PM
Thurs. Dec. 14th, 4PM
Register by Friday, Dec. 8th

Kids will make and wrap a creative gift for a parent or other loved one.

Fireworks

Noon Year’s Eve Party

For Kids Aged Birth - 8
Friday, December 29th, 11:30AM
Register by Friday, December 22nd

We’ll enjoy games and activities, and at 11:59, we’ll count down to the “noon year” and celebrate with balloons and confetti!

KIDS STEAM TEAM!

SCIENCE! TECHNOLOGY! ENGINEERING! ARTS! MATH!  Who knew they could be so much fun!  We'll read a fun book about our STEAM subject for the month, discuss the topic, and end with a project to illustrate and make the subject come to life.  All ages are welcome, but younger children may require some adult help.

Wednesday, November 15th, 4PM
Register by Friday, November 10th

Theme:  Floating Dry Erase Marker Drawings

pumpkin decorating

Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

We are once again hosting a pumpkin decorating contest for kids!  Decorate a pumpkin based on a book or book character.

Winners will be chosen from 0-preschool, K-5th grade, and 6-12th grade.  For each group, first prize will a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble, with small prizes for 2nd and 3rd place.

October 21st—27th:
Pumpkins will be on display for patrons to enjoy.  They can be picked up the 27th and 28th. Left over pumpkins will be disposed of.

Congrats to Our Winners!
Everyone did a fantastic job of decorating their pumpkins, and judging was extremely difficult!

0-PreK
1st:  Liam L. (Spot)
2nd:  Lainey N. (Sesame Street)
3rd:  Andi R. (The Grinch)

K-5
1st:  Aubrey L. (Pigeon)
2nd:  Addison B. (Turtle)
3rd: Violeta R. (Coco)

6-12th
1st:  Zoey M. (Where the Red Fern Grows)
2nd:  Jaxon E. (Holes)
3rd:  Aaralyn M. (If You Give a Mouse A Cookie)

Here is how judging worked:  All pumpins were assigned a number, so children were anonymous.  Four staff members served as judges.  For each age group, the judges collectively pulled 5 top pumpkins.  The judges then privately ranked the 5 pumpkins from 1 for the best down to 5, and the scores were tallied.  The pumpkins with the lowest total scores won. 

roku

Roku Player with Pre-Loaded Streaming Services Now Available

Connect a Roku to your TV and enjoy preloaded streaming services for free!  Apple TV+, Britbox, Disney +, Hulu, Max (HBO), Netflix, and Paramount are available!

Requires a wifi network and an HDMI port on your TV.

Beecher Community Library cardholders over the age of 18 may check out a Roku for 2 weeks and renew twice if there are no holds.  Overdue fines will be $1 per day. Please return hotspots at the circulation desk.  $5.00 will be charged if put in the book drop.

hotspot

Wifi Hotspots Now Available!

The Beecher Community Library is now circulating wifi hotpots!  Hotspots can be taken anywhere to connect mobile devices, like laptops, tablets or phones, to the internet.

Beecher Community Library cardholders over the age of 18 may check out a hotspot for 1 week and renew twice if there are no holds.  Overdue fines will be $1 per day. Please return hotspots at the circulation desk.  $5.00 will be charged if put in the book drop.

Hotspots can be placed on hold here* or ask at the circulation desk to check one out. 

* "Ask Staff" in the online catalog means the hotspot is available for checkout.  Ask for the hotspot at the circulation desk.

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.

Beecher Bookworm Buddies with Miss Jennie

Thursday/Friday Morning (10AM)
Enjoy stories, activities, games, and crafts!

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.