  Is your child going to kindergarten this fall? Whether the kindergarten milestone is coming up in a few months or a few years, librarian Miss Emily, who leads Preschool Storytime, has some tips to help you prepare for the school years.
How long have you been leading Preschool Storytime? I have been leading this awesome program for 11 years. What can kids expect to do or learn in Preschool Storytime? Kids can expect to have fun and learn about the letter of the week through songs, stories, and rhymes. We unveil mystery words and have a bubble dance party at the end! What are some practical ways parents can help prepare their children for kindergarten? Read aloud regularly. This has benefits for both the reader and the listener, and will improve language skills and enhance comprehension. Also, foster their independence by taking them to classes like Preschool Storytime! How can parents help prepare their preschoolers for learning to read? As you read stories with your child, point to the words on the page. This will help them develop the idea that print has meaning. I like to suggest using magnetic letters to show how individual letters form words. Do you have any tips for parents who are sending their first child off to kindergarten? Yes! This is going to be an adjustment for both you and your child. Read books about going to school to ease their possible anxiety. Make sure the books depict the environment they will be in and the expectations of them. Be positive! Is there anything else you want people to know? I look forward to seeing your 3-5 year old at Preschool Storytime! Preschool Storytime meets on Thursdays at 9:30 or 10:30 am in the Youth Program Room. Come early to get a ticket, then drop in and join the fun. View upcoming sessions here.
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 A $62,000 grant from the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) supports a major catalog upgrade coming this fall.
On September 3, the Vernon Area Public Library will switch from its current stand-alone library catalog to the shared catalog of Cooperative Computer Services (CCS), a network of 31 public libraries in northeastern Illinois. What does this mean for you?
“Joining CCS marks a significant milestone in our library’s ongoing efforts to serve the community more effectively,” said Library Director Anne Rasmussen. “Through our consortium membership, we will provide seamless access to a broader network of materials while enhancing the catalog software used by staff and patrons.” The grant offsets startup costs as the library transitions its catalog into the shared CCS system. RAILS provides this funding to encourage collaboration and resource sharing across Illinois libraries. Library To Get $65K State Grant7/10/2025  Illinois' state capitol building Vernon Area Public Library will receive $65,203.85 through the Illinois Public Library Per Capita Grant program.
“The annual Per Capita Grant helps us ensure continued access to high-quality materials and learning opportunities,” said Vernon Area Public Library Director Anne Rasmussen. “From our youngest patrons in baby storytime to the seniors we serve through assisted living visits, this grant helps all in our library district to connect to information, culture and each other.” The Per Capita Grant program provides annual funding to support local public library services. This year, libraries were allocated just under $1.50 per resident in their service area. Funds may be used for operational needs, including purchasing books and other materials or making capital improvements. To qualify, libraries must to meet standards established by the Illinois Library Association. These include completing and submitting an annual report, engaging in continuing staff education, and formally adopting an anti-censorship policy, such as the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The grant program is administered by the Illinois Secretary of State office and is designed to help ensure all Illinois residents have access to quality library resources and programming. Level Up: Book Ideas for Adults6/11/2025  The 2025 theme for Summer Library Club is "Level Up" — a game-inspired challenge! Dive into a book featuring a game piece or board on its cover, complementing our gaming-themed activities. Plus, reading one of these books counts toward your Summer Library Club goals. Check out these titles, each with a game-related element on the cover. They fulfill the checklist requirement to "Get a suggestion from our blog" or simply "Read a book of your choice." Find unabridged book blurbs and links to the catalog, along with many other librarian-curated reading lists on the Library Guide for Readers. 📖 The Marlow Murder Club – Robert Thorogood | Judith Potts, a feisty 77-year-old crossword creator, witnesses a murder while swimming in the Thames. The police don’t believe her, so she teams up with two unlikely allies to investigate. But when another body appears, they realize they’re chasing a serial killer — and the puzzle they’re solving may be their last. 📖 One Puzzling Afternoon – Emily Critchley | In 1951, lonely teen Edie Green befriends Lucy Theddle, who soon vanishes. In 2018, Edie — now 84 — sees Lucy, unchanged since their youth. No one believes her, but Edie is determined to uncover what happened all those years ago. 📖 The Heist – Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg | Con artist Nicolas Fox escapes custody after being caught by FBI agent Kate O’Hare. Instead of sending her back after him, the agency teams them up to recover stolen millions. Kate must now protect Nick while working the ultimate scam—without blowing her cover.  📖 The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers – Samuel Burr | Raised by quirky puzzle creators, Clayton Stumper embarks on one last mystery left behind by his mentor — a puzzle that might finally reveal his true identity and prepare him for life beyond the Fellowship. 📖 PS: I Hate You – Lauren Connolly | Maddie embarks on a cross-country road trip to fulfill her late brother’s final wish: scattering his ashes at destinations he was unable to visit before dying of cancer. But she’s stuck traveling with her brother's best friend, Dom, who broke her heart years ago. Forced to face their past, will they make peace or reopen old wounds? 📖 Men Without Women – Haruki Murakami | A collection of seven stories where Murakami explores loneliness, romance, and mysterious encounters — from smoky bars to cryptic conversations, lost love, and existential musings. Includes the story that inspired the film Drive My Car.  📖 Intermezzo – Sally Rooney | Brothers Peter and Ivan navigate loss, relationships, and self-discovery after their father’s death. While Peter juggles two romantic entanglements, Ivan, a chess player, forms an intense bond with an older woman. 📖 Victim – Andrew Boryga | Javier Perez knows how to spin a story. His background helps him land a full scholarship and, later, a prestigious journalism gig — thanks to a viral essay built on lies. But when his best friend Gio gets out of prison, Javier’s carefully constructed identity is at risk of unraveling.  📖 The Puzzler – A.J. Jacobs | Explore the world of puzzles — solving impossible riddles, competing in puzzle tournaments, and discovering how puzzles can shape our thinking. From Rubik’s Cubes to elaborate corn mazes, this book is a mind-bending adventure.
📖 The Monopolists – Mary Pilon Uncover the real history behind Monopoly. This investigative book reveals the forgotten female inventor, the Quaker influence, and the legal battles over the iconic board game. Which book will you choose to level up your summer reading? 📚🎲 Meet Your Librarian: Miss Julia5/22/2025   Did you know literacy development begins at birth? Our expert youth librarians are ready to help you guide your child as they form the building blocks needed to become readers and writers.
Get to know one of our Early Literacy Librarians, Miss Julia. She leads the Wiggling Ones Storytime on Tuesday mornings and Starry Night Storytime, which meets once a month on Thursday evenings. Q: How long have you been doing Storytime? I’ve been offering storytimes since 2013. Wow – that’s 12 years! Q: What can people expect in Wiggling Ones and Starry Night Storytime?Folks can expect a lot of singing and dancing in both Wiggling Ones and Starry Night Storytime! I love to incorporate my ukulele into storytimes – music is really important to me. Q: What are some benefits of attending Storytime? There are so many benefits to attending storytime! While we’re having a great time singing, dancing, and wiggling, we’re also learning through the 5 Early Literacy Practices - talk, sing, read, write, and play. We’re also learning new facts and stories through books. If you join us on a weekly basis, you’ll notice that there is a lot of repetition. Kids thrive on that repetition – it’s how their brains begin to understand concepts and build memory. Not only is storytime important for the kids, but it’s an opportunity for caregivers to have special one-on-one time with their little ones, as well as grown-ups to connect with other grown-ups! Q: What do you enjoy most about leading Storytime? What I enjoy most about leading storytime is watching children learn and grow from week to week. I am so lucky that I get to watch babies grow into toddlers and toddlers grow into preschoolers. Every week my storytime kiddos participate more and more – some even join me in leading storytime! Storytime itself brings me so much joy. Q: Is there anything else you want people to know? As much as I want your child to participate in storytime, I also want caregivers to participate, too! You are your child's first teacher, and they look to you to see how to respond – so feel empowered to sing, dance, and play along at storytime. I promise, no one looks as silly as I do! 😊 ------ Weekly storytimes are drop-in programs. Find the session that's right for your child's age. Arrive early to pick up an entry ticket, then join the fun! |
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Mon–Thurs 9 AM–9 PM Fri–Sat 9 AM–5 PM Sunday 10 AM–5 PM Holidays and other closed dates |
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