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'Burb is the word
Hands-on activities bring books to life at these kid-friendly Chicagoland libraries.
There are plenty of kid-friendly libraries outside the city, too:
OAK PARK A playroom with a rotating selection of hands-on toys (like a play kitchen), an activity table for coloring and a wooden castle that kids can sit inside while they read are just some of the draws here. 834 Lake St, Oak Park, 708-383-8200.
SCHAUMBURG The first thing everyone says about the Schaumburg library is “it’s got a forest.” And indeed it does: The Enchanted Forest is a hands-on environment featuring dioramas of scenes from well-known children’s books and a secret “telephone” that kids can pick up to hear stories. 30 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, 847-985-4000.
CHICAGO RIDGE A surefire way to increase your book circulation by 25 percent? Baby chicks. The Chicago Ridge Library’s “Chick it out” program, which debuted last year, features an egg incubator accompanied by a brooder box to keep the chicks cozy once they hatch. Baby-bird mania begins again this spring. 10400 Oxford Ave, Chicago Ridge, 708-423-7753.
BLUE ISLAND Teens head to the tech annex below the main library level to get computer-savvy at ten desktops where they can create 3-D animation and learn video and audio production using pro-quality software. Tech guru and young-adult-programming manager Darren Thompson meets monthly with a teen advisory board to get feedback. 2433 York St, Blue Island, 708-388-1078.