Teacher

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Assignment Alert
Teacher Bookbags
Teacher's Newsletter

Library Services
Preschool
Elementary and Middle School
Homeschool
Schools
Web sites for Teachers



Services for Preschools and Day Care Centers

Our Youth Services Department offers a variety of services to support early childhood educators in Des Plaines. For further information or to arrange for one of these services, please contact Youth Services, at 847-376-2911 or by email.

Preschool and Day Care Center Library Cards

All preschools and day care centers located within incorporated Des Plaines (excluding home-based centers) are eligible for a library card. To receive a library card, request an application from the Registration Desk at 847-376-2787. The application is also available here. (Word document)

Teacher Bookbags

A Book Bag is a collection of up to 25 library resources (books, music, or DVDs), selected by the Youth Services Staff, that may enhance lesson plans and help boost the classroom library. Book Bags may be checked out for four weeks using a personal library card or the school’s library card. Simply call the Youth Services Department at 847-376-2839, or fill out the request form online. Your Book Bag will be ready for pick-up at the Library in three business days. The Mobile Library may also be able to deliver Book Bags directly to you.

Storytime Visits

We would love to present special stories and songs to your preschool-aged students. Storytime Visits can be scheduled to fit into your school’s schedule in the fall, winter/spring, and summer. Storytime Visits can also be combined with a visit from the Mobile Library.

Mobile Library Services

Have the Mobile Library, our library on wheels, come to your school! This big “bus” is filled with books and other items for preschoolers. A visit from the Mobile Library is a fun way to introduce children to the treasures of the public library. During a Mobile Library Visit, students can check out materials using their personal library card or the school’s library card.

Library Tours

Bring your students to the Library for a tour of the Youth Services Department. We will include a storytime, and classes can stay to play with puzzles and puppets in the Friend Ship, enjoy the train tables, and read quietly in the Poet Tree Corner. The children will be encouraged to browse the picture book collection and can check out materials using their personal library card or the school’s library card.

Preschool Fair

The annual Preschool Fair at the Des Plaines Public Library will be Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Preschool Fair provides area parents with the opportunity to learn about the different preschool programs available in our community. Area preschools and day care centers can reserve a table to display information and materials.

Library Services- Elementary and Middle School

Our Youth Services Department offers a variety of services to support elementary and middle schools in Des Plaines. For information, please contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaugh@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.

Assignment Alert

Let us know in advance what your students will be studying so they can find what they need when they come to the library. We can locate useful materials. And, when resources are limited or demand is high, we can set aside relevant materials for in-library use only. Complete the Assignment Alert Form or contact the Youth Services Desk at 847-376-2839.

Teacher Bookbags

Mobile Library Services

Library Tours

Computers

Online Resources

We subscribe to several online resources with age-appropriate content specifically geared to K-8 curriculum. These are especially helpful for subjects with limited print resources. Most of the databases are available through our Web site from home or school with a Des Plaines library card. Would you like a librarian to help your students learn how to use these databases? Contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via email smclaugh@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.

Additional Services

Promote Reading with State Book Awards

Monarch Award Book Bags

Introduce your students in grades K-3 to the books nominated for the Monarch Children’s Choice Award. Each of our Monarch bookbags contains five of the nominated books. Any child who reads or listens to at least five nominated books is eligible to vote next February. We’ll be happy to provide you with reproducible evaluation forms and ballots. To request a bookbag or a classroom booktalk, please contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaugh@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.

Rebecca Caudill Booktalks in your Classroom

Students in grades 4-8 who read or listen to at least three nominated books may help choose the winner of The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award next February. If you would like to schedule a Caudill booktalk or to request feedback forms for your students, please contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaugh@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.

Library Services- Homeschool

Our Youth Services Department offers a variety of services to assist homeschooling families in Des Plaines. For more information, please contact Librarian Lee Cho via email (lcho@dppl.org) or by phone at 847-376-2804.

Home Schooling Resources

The library has a Homeschooling collection to enhance homeschooling curriculum. The collection offers special homeschooling manuals for parents, textbooks, as well as homeschooling guides for every age group. Also available are a number of related magazines. Click here for a selection of Web sites for Homeschooling.

Library Tours

Computers

Online Resources

We subscribe to several online resources with age-appropriate content specifically geared to K-8 curriculum. These are especially helpful for subjects with limited print resources. Most of the databases are available through our Web site from home or school with a Des Plaines library card. Would you like a librarian to help your students learn how to use these databases? Contact School Liaison Librarian Sara McLaughlin via smclaugh@dppl.org or by phone at 847-376-2795.

Additional Services

Junior Great Books

These discussions for grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 are directed by trained leaders. They feature stories and texts that help children develop literacy skills, such as reading carefully, thinking critically, and speaking persuasively.

Schools

Preschools

Elementary Schools

Web sites for Teachers