We are excited to announce Family Story Time! We now have time slots available for you to sign your family up for a private Story Time session with our new Youth Director, Jana Schlukebir. These sessions will be held weekly starting August 6th and will be 20-30 minutes long. Each week will include a story and an art project. Here is what to expect:

Registration is required to reserve your time slot. Register through the Sign Up Genius link below or by calling 815-738-2742.

Masks will be required for everyone three and older who is medically able to wear one, and when you show up for your session, we will do a quick temperature check.

We will be outside when possible, or in the back room when the weather requires it. Please dress your kids in clothes that are appropriate for the weather, and that can get messy.

There will be two projects for you to choose from, one project per family please, as we will not have time to do both. There will be a craft and a painting project. Crafts are perfect for kids 3 & up, painting projects are best for kids 6 & up.

Please have a family member 16 years or older available to assist kids under the age of six with their project.

Here are the projects for August 13: Sailboat Craft or Sailboat Painting

Reserve your spot below with Signup Genius: Click on the “Sign Up” button on the time you want to reserve, then be sure to click the Orange “Submit and Sign Up” button at the bottom of the page to fill in your information. Sign up will close at 5 pm Wednesday, August 12. Jana is looking forward to meeting you!

Virtual program for kids in grades K-5 on July 16 at 10:30. Register by July 8.

A patron of our library has generously decided to donate 300 of her Harlequin Romance novels from the last 3-5 years to anyone who would like them. If you are interested in some of these books, please call or send us an email and we can put you in touch with Judy.

(815) 738-2742 bertolib@lrnet1.com

We are kicking off the Summer Reading Program on Monday, June 15! This year there will be no in-person program, but kids in grades K-5 can come in to pick up a take home bag of crafts and a reading log. New craft bags will be available each Monday through July 20. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Bertolet Memorial Library sent a challenge to the art students of Forreston High School this semester: design a new logo for our library. The students accepted! Under the guidance of art teacher Mrs. Dana Russell-Brown, the students learned about graphic design, including placement, colors, and designing for the customer. The results were outstanding! After discussion and a vote by the library board, the top three winners were chosen. Heinz, Erdmann, and Fox all received a gift card and new headphones for their efforts. You will see their work on our social media sites, our letterhead, and programming flyers. Congratulations to the top three designs and to all the students who created their best work!

Bertolet Memorial Library will have the following special hours for the Christmas and New Year’s season:

Monday, December 24th: Closed

Tuesday, December 25th: Closed

Wednesday, December 26th: Regular business hours resume: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Monday, December 31st: Open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Closed 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Tuesday, January 1st: Closed

Wednesday, January 2nd: Regular business hours resume: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Our 3rd Annual National Seed Swap Day will be held on Saturday, January 26th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon.  Bring your labeled seeds from this past fall to share with others, and see what new varieties are waiting for your green thumb.  A Master Gardener from the University of Illinois Extension Office will be on hand to answer any questions to help your garden succeed. 

Chicago’s first certified KonMari Tidying Consultant, Kristyn Ivey of For the Love of Tidy, will share home organization tips that focus on what you keep (does it “spark joy?”), rather than what or how much you discard. Learn about the revolutionary Japanese decluttering method made popular by Marie Kondo’s bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. This interactive  workshop will include live demos and giveaways that will prepare you to get tidy now!

This workshop will help you lead with gratitude and become an extension of a home that you honor and respect. It includes an overview of KonMari fundamentals and practical decluttering tips that fall under five signature KonMari categories: Clothing, Books, Paper, Miscellaneous items, and Sentimental items. Enjoy a live demonstration of the signature KonMari Folding technique. We’ll also discuss common myths and missteps as we address how to overcome your specific clutter challenges and barriers to success and true abundance.

Registration required for this free event by calling 815-738-2742 by September 25th.

Attention Patrons:
eRead Illinois will be down Saturday, May 19 & Sunday, May 20.  We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.

YOU DID IT!!!! You helped us hit our goal of 500 pounds in plastic to recycle into this garden bench. We can’t wait to see the end result. We are so thankful for your participation in this project! Since we have met our mark, we no longer will be collecting plastic at this time. Thank you so much!!!

Attention Gardeners: Don’t forget to save and label your seeds from your flower and vegetable gardens as you harvest this fall.  The Annual Seed Swap will be returning January 27, 2018.

Did you know you can pay your fines and fees online? From the comfort of your home? In your PJs?  Well, you can!  Tab on over to Internet Resources and click on PrairieCat.  Once you have logged in, you can select the Fines/Fees you want to pay and follow the online prompts.  Easy, quick, and convenient…PrairieCat will securely apply your payment.  Cross an easy task off your to-do list today!

Lego

Lego Bricks

Lego Bricks Build

Bricks Build Imagination

Build Imagination

Imagine

Imagine What You Can Build

Join us on Wednesday, April 5th, at Bertolet Memorial Library!

A big thank you to Dawn Spengler for nominating Bertolet Memorial Library in the Lovin’ My Library contest! We have received 2 books by Ann Charles and 2 books by Freeport native Terri Reid. They are ready to be enjoyed!

Don’t forget to register for the Cooking for 1 or 2 class.  This program on Tuesday, November 29th is presented by the University of Illinois Extension office and will guide you through changing your meal planning and preparation for your smaller household. Registration ends Wednesday, November 23rd.

Help us find Dory!!  She will be so thankful!

Join us on Tuesday, November 22nd at 6pm as we make our way into the Thanksgiving holiday.  Family Movie Night will find us watching Finding Dory and feasting on popcorn!  See you there!

Fill Granny’s Mailbag with cards and letters for our Troops!  Cards and Letters must be brought in to the Library by Saturday, December 10th.

Granny is also collecting new wrapped or unwrapped toys for boys and girls through ages birth through 18 years.  Tags will be available to label your gift with boy/girl and age appropriate.  Toys will be collected through December 16th.

See what is happening this fall at Bertolet Memorial Library!

Fall 2016

Come learn how these little cute fur-friends are raised and trained to assist the blind in their everyday activities.  The Northern Illinois Puppy Raiser Group will be on hand to share their tips and techniques.  This amazing group is supported by another amazing group, our local Leaf River Lions Club!

Come jump start your learning on August 9th when “Hoo” Haven will be sharing and showing us their hawk, owl, and tortoise as we find out more about their habits and habitats! Come on over August 9th at 6:00 PM!

Look for the box and wish list gift tags at Bertolet Memorial Library beginning June 6th!

Family Movie Night returns with the newly released “Zootopia”! Join us at Bertolet Memorial Library on Monday, August 8th at 6:00 PM to watch this hilarious adventure as Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia’s police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery.