Services for Educators
As educators, you know that a well-rounded and engaging classroom can make all the difference in a student's academic journey.
Our library offers a range of services to support your teaching and inspire students. Whether you want to expand classroom resources, foster a love of reading, or integrate digital tools, we’re here to help! Here's how we can partner with you to make your classroom even better.
1. Classroom Visits:
Our library staff offers classroom visits to highlight library resources, introduce new books, and share upcoming events.
2. Guest Readers:
This is a great way to introduce students to excellent books, inspire a love of storytelling, and support lesson plans with tailored guest reading sessions.
3. Classroom Card Sign-Up:
By signing up for a library card, your students will have easy access to our books, audiobooks, and digital resources, both in school and at home.
4. Digital Library Instruction:
We offer sessions on how to use our digital library, which includes e-books, audiobooks, and online educational platforms.
We believe teachers are key to student success and are here to support you in creating an engaging, inclusive classroom. Learn how we can assist your teaching and inspire the next generation of learners!
If you would like to:
- Schedule a classroom visit or guest reader session
- Sign up for classroom library cards
- Schedule digital library training or book recommendations
- Discuss any other questions or ideas
Contact us using our online form.
Education Resources
Biblioboard
Biblioboard has eBooks of literary classics, local Illinois authors, and self-published titles, as well as articles, and public domain videos and images. No waiting to borrow! Free for all Illinois residents. Need help?
Book Collection: Nonfiction
Designed for public libraries, thousands of books cover core subject areas as well as information on careers, health, sports, adventure, technology, life skills and more.
DMV Free Practice Tests
DMV Free Practice Tests include practice questions for the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles driving test. Includes motorcycle and CDL tests. (No library card required!)
EBSCO eBooks Public Library Collection
Access to high-quality e-books covering a wide range of topics such as self-help, fitness, games, hobbies, and cooking. This general reference collection features titles for both adults and juveniles, as well as best-selling and recommended titles from leading publishers.
Explora Public Library
Explora provides easy-to-use features and reliable content from the world’s leading magazines and reference books, grouped into easy-to-browse categories.
LearningExpress
Help patrons and students learn the fundamentals of computers, the internet and popular software applications a user-friendly e-learning platform that contains more than 100 selfpaced video tutorials.
Beyond Books
Interest Grades: PK-3 | This science focused STEAM kit is a dynamic, hands-on introduction to the fascinating powers of magnets. When fun and colorful tools are combined with scientific exploration, STEAM lessons become irresistible.
Interest Grades: 4+ | Kick start your study of electronics with our book featuring step by step instructions. Kids learn early coding with Artie the programmable robot that draws whatever you code on any sheet of paper.
Interest Grades: PK-3 | The Emotions & Empathy kit helps children learn about their feelings and recognize them in others.
Interest Grades: K-3 | Hands on crafts, rolling marble gravity mazes, and machines that move, the Engineering Gears and Mazes kit has all the enrichment a future engineer could need.
Interest Grades: 4+ | Play and learn with this circuits kit. Develop problem solving, cause and effect, and logic skills in this addictive marble circuits game.
Interest Grades: 4+ | Break away from screens and engage with this collection of games for children 10 and up. Villains, monsters, and a survival game are sure to engage kids. Small group play at the library or fun at home.
Interest Grade: PK | Science, technology, engineering, and math all require precision, this kit kickstarts learning about the basics of measuring.
Interest Grades: PK-3 | Help children establish a strong base for all future learning with this kit focused on learning the alphabet and numbers. Kids will love the Alphabet Bingo game and self-correcting number puzzles.
Interest Grades: PK-3 | The Money, Math & Economics kit introduces the concept of money recognition, money management, and math skills using play money in a hands-on play environment.
Interest Grades: PK-3 | The world of coding continues to expand every day. This kit is full of fun facts about robots, computers, and other cool technology and inventions.
Kit contains: 1 book, 1 GeoSafari stereoscope [Fully functional microscope, 12 included rock samples, 10X and 20X eyepieces], 1 fossil collection, 1 mineral collection [Fossils collection contains: 9 fossils, identification chart, storage tray, 9
1 large vinyl bag, Ralph Maiello's Alien Drawing Book, 1 wood stamp set, 1 stencil art activity set, 1 wooden favorite things stamp set
Interest Grade: PK | It’s game night for the youngest children with this set of games for ages 3 and up. Early cooperation and game play are sure to be a hit for parents looking to engage their kids at home or in the library.
Contents: The Big Beyond / James Carter -- 1 shining stars projector -- 3 projector discs -- 8 inflatable planets -- 1 inflatable sun -- 1 inflatable Earth's moon -- 1 inflatable Pluto -- 1 air pump with hose -- 1 solar system facts and activities