The Park Ridge Library has added virtual programs for learners of all ages — from cooking classes for kids to a virtual concert of holiday favorites — to its winter schedule.

“We are really excited about some of the new programs we’ve introduced this fall, many of which will continue through February,” says Staci Greenwald, the library’s youth services manager. “We’ve partnered with local yoga studio Sun & Moon Yoga to bring a free weekly yoga program for kids who need a break from e-learning. Our new Sticky Fingers family cooking classes bring kids and adults together to cook based on a theme from a book. And Teen Trivia and Virtual VolunTeens offer a nice diversion while still bringing teens together.”

In addition to virtual programs, the library also offers support for remote learners and homeschooling families with an array of databases covering virtually every subject, as well as creative online resources like lesson plans, printables, live homework help and much more.

The library’s Storytime Live series will continue through the winter as well, including a special Storytime Live with Santa on Facebook Live on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

Also, from Dec. 21-Feb 28, residents of all ages can participate in the Winter Reading Club, track their reading online and get entered to win prizes by reading every day for 20 days or more.

See below for details, and for a complete schedule of all library programs, visit ParkRidgeLibrary.org

**Kids

Storytimes

Saturdays
Saturday Morning Live!
All ages
December 12, January 9, February 13
10:00 a.m.
Live from our homes to yours, it’s SATURDAY MORNING! Join us for this weekend edition of our weekly storytimes for all ages. Drop in via Zoom

Tuesdays
Hello, Baby!
Ages 0-18 months with a caregiver
Tuesdays, December 1 – 15, January 5 – February 2, February 16 – March 16
11:00 a.m.
Snuggle, bounce and bond with your littlest little ones at this storytime for infants and pre-walkers. We will share rhymes, bounces, songs and stories to foster language development and an early love of books and reading while giving you quality bonding time with your baby.
Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address.

Wednesdays
Storytime Live!
All Ages
Wednesdays, December 2 – 16, January 6 – February 3, February 17 – March 17
10:00 a.m.
Meet us online for a live virtual all ages storytime… from our homes to yours! Drop in via Zoom

PJ Storytime
All ages
Alternating Wednesday, December 2 & 16, January 6 & 20, February 3 & 17
7:00 p.m,
Put on your PJs and grab your favorite stuffed animal, then meet us online for a live virtual storytime… from our homes to yours! Drop in via Zoom

Thursdays
Storytime Live!
All ages
Thursdays, December 3 – 17, January 7 – February 4, February 18 – March 18 at 10:00 a.m.
Meet us online for a live virtual all ages storytime… from our homes to yours! Drop in via Zoom

Non-Storytime Programs

Harmonious Horizons
Ages 0-5
Alternating Mondays, December 7 & 14, and January 4 & 18
11:00 a.m.
Join us for online Harmonious Horizons classes! Sing, dance, and play with your little ones with the guidance of a talented music teacher.
Please complete one registration per household and provide an e-mail address so we can send you a Zoom link before the class. Max: 20 screens

Directed Doodles | Grades 3-6
Wednesday December 2, Wednesday January 6, Wednesday February 3
4:00 p.m.
Join Ms. Maddie for some free-form art fun as she guides you through the steps of creating your very own drawing. All you need is a piece of paper and something to draw with. Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max 15.
(December: Penguins, January: Walrus and February: Elephant)

Book Bites | Grades 4-6
Tuesday, December 8, January 19, February 16
4:15 p.m.
Need book recommendations? Or just join us and talk about what you’re reading.
Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max: 10

Kids’ Yoga Break
Ages 6-12 (Younger can join with caregiver)
Mondays, December 7 – February 22
3:45 p.m.
Homeschool, hybrid or full remote, we can all use a minute to unwind and recharge. Grab a towel and join our friends from Sun & Moon Yoga Studio in Park Ridge as we twist, stretch and breath out the day’s stress. Don’t forget your water! No yoga experience required.
This class will be geared toward children ages 6-12. Families with younger children are welcome, but should have adult supervision. Registration required. Please complete one registration per household and provide an e-mail address so we can send you a Zoom link before the class. (No max)

Kids’ Kitchen – Sugar Cookie Bars
Ages 10 and up
Friday December 11
4:00 p.m.
Join us in our online kitchen as we make festive Sugar Cookie Bars together! A list of ingredients will be shared via email prior to the program.
Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max:15

Kid Ink! A Writing Group For Aspiring Authors
Grades 3-5
Tuesday December 22 and Wednesday February 10
4:00 p.m.
Calling all young authors! If you love writing and telling stories, Kid Ink is the place for you. Ms. Maddie will provide fun fantasy writing prompts to inspire you to take your writing to the next level. Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max: 10

Graphic Novel Book Discussion
Grades 4-6
Tuesday, January 12 and February 23
4:15 p.m.
Read a graphic novel, then join us on a Zoom to discuss. Please stop by the Children’s Department 3 weeks before the program to pick up your copy of the book. Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max:10

STEAM Fun on the Run
Ages 3-6 with caregiver
Friday, December 11, January 15 & February 19
10:00 a.m.
Let’s learn STEAM concepts (science, technology, engineering, art and math) from home! We’ll provide the special supplies needed for the craft (you may still need to have some basics at home like crayons, scissors, glue/tape, etc). Register online and pick up your craft supplies from the library on the Wednesday or Thursday before the program.

**To ensure that we have craft supplies for everyone, please separately register each child ages 3-6 attending.
Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max: 20

Family Cooks & Books: Dragons Love Tacos! | Families of all ages
Saturday, December 19
2:00-3:15 p.m.
On the menu: Dragon Party Street Tacos + Cilantro Lime Rice + Easy NOT SPICY Salsa
They say the family that cooks together, stays together. So gather your family for some quality time as we share a literary taste treat with our friends from Sticky Fingers Cooking School. We’ll start by reading Dragons Love Tacos. Then get ready for the ultimate dragon party as we fire up a tasty (not spicy) taco treat!

Have a family member who loves to cook but doesn’t live in your house? Don’t let distance or quarantine get in the way. They can join in the fun too as you cook virtually together. Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max:10 families

Fairy Tale Fun on the Run
Ages 3-6 with caregiver
Friday, December 18, January 22 and February 26
10:00 a.m.
Let’s re-imagine some fairy tales from home! We’ll provide the special supplies needed for the craft (you may still need to have some basics at home like crayons, scissors, glue/tape, etc). Register online, and pick up your craft supplies from the library before the program. Then join us live on Zoom as we share stories and make our crafts together!

**To ensure that we have craft supplies for everyone, please separately register each child ages 3-6 attending. Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max: 20

Family Cooks + Books – The Lightning Thief! | Families of all ages
Saturday, January 16
2:00-3:15 p.m.
On the menu: Percy’s Perfect Personal Pan Pizzas + Green Greek God Salad + Mt. Olympus Honey Lemon Yogurt Smoothies
They say the family that cooks together, stays together. So gather your family for some quality time as we share a literary taste treat with our friends from Sticky Fingers Cooking School. Together we’ll read a selection from The Lightning Thief and then make a meal fit for the gods! And don’t let distance or quarantine get in the way! Have a family member who loves to cook but doesn’t live in your house? They can join in the fun too as you cook virtually together.

Registration required. Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program begins. Please be sure to include an email address. Max:10 families (Only 1 registration per family unit, regardless of the number of participants.)

**Teens

Virtual Dungeons & Dragons | Grades 6-12
Sunday, December 6, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 20, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 3, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 17, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 28, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Are you a gamer? Do you love epic fantasy adventures and collaborative storytelling? Come play Dungeons & Dragons! Both new gamers and veteran adventurers are welcome. Max: 8

Virtual VolunTeens: #WeWereHere | Grades 6-12
Wednesday, December 9, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The #WeWereHere Project aims to create a repository of teen voices in the historic time of 2020. Service hours available. This program will take place via Zoom. Max: 10

Virtual Middle School Book Bites | Grades 6-8
Thursday, December 10, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, January 7, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, February 11, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Talk about what you’ve been reading and get book recommendations from other teens. BYOS (Bring Your Own Snack). Max: 10

Virtual Book Club: Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez | Grades 4-8
Monday, December 14, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
In order to heal after his mother’s death, Sal learns to reach into time and space to retrieve people from other universes. Max: 10

Virtual Teen Trivia: The Office | Grades 6-12
Tuesday, December 15, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Put your Dunder Mifflin knowledge to the test! Race against the clock and each other to answer questions correctly before time runs out! Max: 10

Virtual Teen Ink | Grades 6-12
Wednesday, December 16, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 20, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 17, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Join other teen writers as we experiment with new techniques and prompts that will inspire your creative writing process. Max: 10

Virtual VolunTeens: Cards for Hospitalized Kids | Grades 6-12
Tuesday, January 5, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Make handmade cards that will bring a smile to the face of a hospitalized child. Service hours available. Max: 10

Virtual Teen Trivia: Hamilton | Grades 6-12
Monday, January 11, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Put your Hamilton knowledge to the test! Race against the clock and each other to answer questions correctly before time runs out! Max: 10

Virtual Stories by the Fire | Grades 6-8
Wednesday, January 13, 7:00 – 7:45 p.m.
Grab a cuppa and settle in while Maddie enchants you with oral tellings of folk and fairy tales. Max: 10

Virtual Book Club: The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh | Grades 4-8
Monday, January 18, 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
A magicless boy, a fierce bandit leader, and a lost princess must join forces to save their worlds from foreign forces and a long-forgotten evil that lurks in an ancient magical forest. Copies available on Hoopla. This program will take place via Zoom. Max: 10

Virtual Cookin’ with Books | Grades 6-12
Tuesday, January 26, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Try out recipes from a shared cookbook and then discuss your experience with other teen chefs! Max: 10
January Cookbook: Sally’s Cookie Addiction by Sally McKenney. Available for immediate checkout via Hoopla.
February Cookbook:The Geeky Chef Cookbook by Cassandra Reeder. Available for immediate checkout via Hoopla.

Virtual Stories by the Fire | Grades 9-12
Wednesday, January 27, 7:00 – 7:45 p.m.
Grab a cuppa and settle in while Maddie enchants you with oral tellings of folk and fairy tales. Max: 10

Virtual Book Club: Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger | Grades 6-12
Thursday, January 28, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Elatsoe lives in this slightly stranger America. She can raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her Lipan Apache family. Her beloved cousin has just been murdered, in a town that wants no prying eyes. But she is going to do more than pry. This program will take place via Zoom. Copies available on Hoopla. Max: 10

Virtual Trivia: Disney | Grades 4-8
Tuesday, February 2, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Put your Disney knowledge to the test! Race against the clock and each other to answer questions correctly before time runs out! Max: 10

Virtual Book Club: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix | Grades 4-8
Monday, February 15, 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
Chess, Emma, and Finn Greystone investigate why their mother went missing and uncover their ties to an alternate world. Copies available on Hoopla. Max: 10

Virtual Book Club: Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez | Grades 9-12
Thursday, February 25, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Seventeen-year-old Camila Hassan, a rising soccer star in Rosario, Argentina, dreams of playing professionally, in defiance of her fathers’ wishes and at the risk of her budding romance with Diego. This program will take place via Zoom. Copies available on Hoopla. Max: 10