Author: Joey McKenna

The Youth Department has a growing World Languages collection. With over 20 languages represented, visitors will find items in many formats including picture books, board books, and graphic novels. Do you speak a language other than English in your home? What stories would you like to see represented in the Glen Ellyn Public Library Youth… Read More

It's really frustrating to click on a news article and be met with a paywall. Whether it is a sports update on your favorite team or a local development update, important information is often restricted to paid subscribers. Fortunately, the library has a solution! The library's digital newspaper resources give cardholders access to publications like… Read More

Whether they are learning to speak a new language to communicate with friends and family or to prepare for travel abroad, the library can help the youngest language learners develop new linguistic skills from the comfort of home or while on the go. Little Pim One of the library’s Digital Library offerings, Little Pim is… Read More

What first interested you in makerspaces? Audrey: I think all of us had been working in libraries for several years, just in other departments. I started to see some of the makerspaces crop up, and I really loved public libraries as an environment. I liked interacting with the public and felt like I was part… Read More

Work with experienced makers to solder an electronic circuit or create items like a micro mosaic, a self-published booklet, origami, or a greeting card made out of recycled materials. See equipment like the laser cutter, Cricut, and sublimation printer, and use a heat press to decorate a tote bag in The Workshop! There will be… Read More

Digital literacy—the ability to effectively use digital tools, technologies, and platforms—has become a cornerstone of employability in today’s workforce. As industries increasingly adopt digital technologies, proficiency in these skills is no longer optional but essential. The Workshop is a place to create, discover, and learn. When people identify something they want to create, the project… Read More

You may have noticed a newer collection in the Youth Department called Books with Sound. This section contains titles in VOX and Wonderbook format, which combine printed books with audio narration. These formats enhance literacy by engaging children in multisensory experi- ences, and supporting comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. They are particularly effective for struggling readers… Read More

Call 630-534-9700 and select 1-10 to hear a story, rhyme, or even jokes read aloud by a staff member any time. Here’s what’s playing now! Press # at any time to return to the menu. Payton reads When Green Becomes Tomatoes - February by Julie Fogliano. Katy reads Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty.… Read More

Equipment often found in makerspaces includes laser cutters, 3D printers, heat presses, and embroidery and sewing machines. Some people think that these machines are not appropriate for use by kids younger than high school age—but that’s not true! Kids love to make, too! The Workshop is currently available to high school students and adults, but… Read More

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang After the accidental death of best-selling author and college friend Athena Liu, struggling novelist June Hayward steals her unpublished manuscript to pass off as her own under a racially ambiguous pen name. After rave reviews and rapid success, June is haunted by what she has done and struggles with the… Read More

The library loves to encourage community writers! To help writers create, edit, format, and generate print-ready and eBook formats, Illinois libraries provide a free tool called Pressbooks. Pressbooks is similar to Scrivener, Atticus, iA Writer, Squibler, and Ulysses. Unlike word-processing software like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, Pressbooks has themes and a cover generator, and… Read More

The holiday season, often characterized by joy and celebration, can also bring significant stress, particularly when it involves navigating the diverse traditions celebrated by family, friends and neighbors. As communities become increasingly multicultural, the convergence of various holidays—each with its unique customs, expectations, and emotions—can create both opportunities for connection and potential sources of stress.… Read More