Discovery Room

Computer Center

The computer center features educational games, reference materials, and word processing programs. Just stop by the Information Desk to sign up!

Internet access is also available in the Children's Department for children through sixth grade. A parent or guardian must sign a permission slip for their child to receive an internet card. Ask at our Information Desk for more information.

Outreach Programming

• A Book for Every Baby:

  The mother of each child born at the two Bloomington/Normal hospitals is presented with a packet of information that promotes awareness and use of public libraries and their services. Every packet includes a book for the baby, a pamphlet describing programs, services, and media specifically designed for the parents of young children, and a coupon that may be redeemed for other gifts when the parent visits either the Normal Public Library or Bloomington Public Library, the co-sponsors of this project.
  

• Off-Site Programming:

  We are happy to offer storytelling or information programs to nursing homes, churches, community centers and schools.

For more information contact the library at 454-4668.

Services for Teachers and Students

• Tours and More:

  Would you like to take your students on a FREE field trip but don't know where to go? Why not bring them to the library? Come learn and play with us!

  We have many fun programs and resources designed especially for teachers and their students here at the library. All programs can be adapted to the age level of the students and needs of the teacher.

  Classes can learn about the library and its resources through a Library Tour. A Storytelling Session, full of books, songs, and fingerplays can be added on to any tour or can be enjoyed on its own.

  Our Discovery Room is always open during library hours for classes to enjoy while at the library. The Discovery Room contains books, educational activities, puppets, games, and toys. Why limit yourself to only one library visit? With our Stories & More program, classes are invited to come to the library to enjoy storytelling sessions and the Discovery Room several times a year or even on a more regular basis.

  Classes studying specific subjects can come to the library for a Research Help Visit where students can receive special help finding materials needed to write reports or to make special presentations. A librarian will be available to show specific useful resources and to assist students with the use of the online catalog.

  Again, please contact the library preferably two weeks in advance at (309) 454-4668 to schedule any of these FREE fun programs and activities. The library staff will make every effort to accommodate as many requests as possible.

• Outreach Services for Teachers and Students

  Can't come to the library?! Then let us bring the library to you! School Visits are available to individual classrooms, multiple classrooms/grades, school library classes, large group assemblies, or even school fairs or open houses!

  Want to introduce your students to fun, quality books? Then you should take advantage of our Classroom Booktalks program. A library staff member will visit your classroom bringing books to life with riveting descriptions and interactive antics. We can provide booktalks on new, holiday, or award winning books such as the Rebecca Caudill, Monarch, or Unit 5 / District 87 Reading Unites book award nominees. We can also try to accommodate requests for booktalks on specific themes.

  Or let us supplement your teaching by providing Drop-In Themed Storyhours full of books, fingerplays, and songs.

  A special program for preschool and Kindergarten classes is HOPPER. Helping Our Providers Promote and Encourage Reading is a program created to help children understand the importance of reading and learning. HOPPER (the frog puppet) and a member of our staff will visit your location and provide a mini-storytime all about frogs. We will leave a variety of materials in the classroom, including HOPPER, for teachers and students to enjoy for one month.

  Help your students get to know their public library by booking one of our Library Informational Visits. Students will be introduced to the parts of the library, its materials, programs, and resources. They will also learn how to get their own library cards. A question and answer session along with a reading of a funny or seasonal story or set of poems will serve to end the visit with a smile.

  Or maybe our Surprise Reader program is more what you're looking for. As part of this program, a library staff member will pop in to your classroom to read a fun read-aloud book. You can sign up for a specific "pop-in" time or you can be brave and add your name to the list of teachers willing to have one of our librarians truly just drop-in out of the blue to read a book to your students and you!
  
  Contact the library preferably two weeks in advance at (309) 454-4668 to schedule any of these exciting programs or any of our other FREE fun programs and activities. The library staff will make every effort to accommodate as many requests as possible.

• Teacher Packs:

  Teachers who teach in Bloomington/Normal are invited to call the Children's Department to request a pack of books on a particular subject(s). Teacher packs contain up to one book per student and are checked out for six weeks. Teachers in the Unit 5 school district can have the books delivered to their schools by the school delivery system. Call us at 454-4668 for more information or to request a teacher pack. We are currently not accepting teacher pack requests by email. Please call or come in to the library to make a request. Click here to see the teacher pack guidelines!!