Teacher Services

Class Visits

You are always welcome to bring your class to the library for research, library skills, book talks, check out materials, etc. Please give us two weeks notice so we may pre-select materials or customize a program to suit your needs.

Institution Card

An Institution Card is available to your school for teachers to use to check out materials for school use. Your principal must apply for this card. With this card books can be borrowed for six weeks, with normal restrictions for videos/DVDs. Check with your librarian or principal so see if your school has a card.

Special Requests

We will pull up to five items for you on any topic of your choice. Just call the library and we will have them waiting for you at the check out desk. School Assignments -- School librarians are contacted on a weekly basis for school assignments. This allows us to see what is being taught at the schools and what materials we need to order for our collection. So please let your librarian know what you are teaching.

Exhibits at the Library

Throughout the year we may have special exhibits at the library. You will be notified when they are coming so you can bring your class to view the exhibits, tour the library and hear book talks.

On-line Resources

Besides the card catalog, we have many on-line databases and resources which can be accessed from our homepage such as: InfoTrac, NoveList, NewsBank, Grolier Encyclopedia, FACTS.com, Internet Resource links, Instant Messaging, etc. Visit us at www.indiantrailslibrary.org to access these and other resources.

School Open House

If your school is having an open house, we will try to send a representative from the library to sign students up for library cards and distribute information about upcoming library events. Please give us two weeks notice.

May Assemblies

Each May we offer an assembly program to promote summer reading and other programs available at the library.

For Your Students

After School Programs
"After School Adventures" is a monthly themed program for students in grades 2-5 and "Kids Kapers" is a monthly themed program for students in grades K-1.

Various programs
A variety of programs are offered throughout the year such as: "Chess for All Ages"; craft activities; family, teen and multi-cultural movie programs; "Red Cross Babysitting Workshops"; literature based programs (i.e., Harry Potter, Junie B. Jones, etc.); and multi-cultural programs.

Reading Programs
Our summer reading program usually starts the first week in June and ends the last week in July. We offer incentives and prizes, along with a paperback book upon completion. Our winter reading program is co-sponsored by the Chicago Wolves and is for students in K-8th grades. Prizes are also offered along with a paperback upon completion.

On-line Resources
We have many on-line resources for students to access, such as databases (see above), Live Homework Help (live on-line tutor assistance in English and Spanish), My Web Librarian (ready reference), Instant Messaging, Internet Resource links from our website, and our on-line card catalog. They can be accessed by visiting us at www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Homework Help
We have volunteers in the library on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:30 p.m. to help students with specific assignments.

Newsletters
The library distributes newsletters each month to all elementary (Trails Tales) and middle school (Teen Zone News) students. These include information on upcoming programs, general information and a monthly contest or drawing,

Night-Owl Reference
This is an after-hours telephone reference service available until midnight, which can be reached by calling 847-459-4102.

In The Library

High School Area -- This is a newly designed area on the second floor which has its own computers, seating area, and houses high school literature, graphic novels, anime, listening center, etc.

Computers -- Computers can be found on both floors with access to Internet, word processing, databases, etc. All that is required for use is a library card (from any library).

Self-checkout -- If you don't want to wait in a check-out line, use the self-checkouts found on both floors. (Materials in security cases must be brought to the "check out" desk).