Blog
We Stand Against Racism
A Message from the Executive Director Sorrow. Anger. Worry. These are feelings all of us have experienced over the past few weeks following the horrifying and tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the ensuing response. The complicated situation makes it hard to know what the “right” thing to say is. But as a […]
Read MoreHomemade Play: Rainbow Foamy Soap
Incorporating the natural world around us in educational activities is an important way to enhance learning and early literacy. Read the recipe card on this screen. Mixing color gels and water will build an experience that you can share together. First, we gather what we need. Then we get to be scientists and do an […]
Read MoreLibrary Board Approves Tax Abatement
In order to help ease the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Niles-Maine District Library Board of Trustees, at a special board meeting on May 11, 2020, voted to approve an abatement of the 2019-2020 Library tax levy in the amount of $1 million, or 14.3% of the levy. This decision will reduce […]
Read MoreTeens Find Community in the Underground
We visited the Teen Underground to see exactly what was happening. Here’s what we saw. The scene is set: teen boys, aged 13-15, sit anxiously in front of computers. They’re playing Minecraft in the Lower Level of the Library where two librarians—Donna Block and Rachel Colias—have worked together to energize Teen Underground, a space where […]
Read MoreHomemade Play Time
Incorporating the natural world around us in educational activities is an important way to enhance learning and early literacy. Mixing powders and water will build an experience that you can share together. First, we gather what we need. Then we get to be scientists and do an experiment. Last, we clean up, so we can […]
Read MoreBuilding Early Literacy at Home
Do you have children between the ages of 0-5 staying home with you right now? It can take a lot to keep these little wiggleworms engaged! That’s why I’ve compiled a list of easy, low-cost activities just for you. I’ll be using the Every Child Ready to Read program as a guide, encouraging you to interact with your children using five practices that build early literacy: singing, […]
Read MoreNiles-Maine District Library Wins Top Workplaces Award
Niles-Maine District Library has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor for the first time by The Chicago Tribune. The Library is one of two libraries recognized on the list of 150 companies and organizations in the Chicago region. “One of the staff members nominated us for the award, and I’m thrilled that the staff […]
Read MoreHidden Gems of the Library (and How to Utilize Them)
It’s no secret that I’m fairly new to the Niles-Maine District Library staff. I’m lucky that I’ve just started working with my amazing team about three months ago. I’ll admit, I had an old-fashioned idea of what a library could be (long stacks of books, librarians shushing me all the time), and let me tell […]
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