Park Ridge Public Library

06/23/2026

This July, the Park Ridge Public Library is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of programs focused on this pivotal moment in American history.

From now until August 31, patrons are invited to write a letter to the America of the future about their experiences and their hopes for the next generation and beyond.

To participate, pick up a piece of Letters to America stationery at the Reader Services or Reference desks on the second floor, or write a letter at home on your own paper. You can also download a printer-friendly PDF of the official stationery and get writing prompts on our website. Submit your completed letter at either the Reader Services or Reference desks to be included in the collection.

To register to attend one of the following free programs visit our online calendar or use our mobile app.

Moments that Made America: Turning Points in 250 Years | Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m.
Historian Valerie Gugala will highlight pivotal events, both celebrated and overlooked, that shaped the course of American history and continue to influence the America we know today. Hybrid.

They Fought Too: Black Revolutionaries | Tuesday, July 14 at 2 p.m.
Laura Keyes of Historic Voices celebrates the often forgotten, but no less important, Black men and women who fought, died, spied, wrote, argued, sailed, and labored for the American Revolution. Virtual.

Benjamin Franklin: Designing a New Nation | Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
Living history performer Terry Lynch visits as Benjamin Franklin, whose diplomatic skills and ability to think innovatively were crucial for the daunting task of creating a new nation. In person only.

06/22/2026

Join our team! We currently have part-time openings in two departments. Please note, these are year-round, ongoing positions and are not a seasonal or summer-only opportunity. Applicants should be available to commit to the position beyond the summer months.

To apply and read the full job descriptions, including hourly pay, visit parkridgelibrary.org/employment.

Our Patron Services team is seeking an individual who has excellent customer service and communication skills, commitment to teamwork and enjoys solving issues.

The Park Ridge Public Library is seeking a part-time Custodian to join our team. Essential functions of the position are to interact positively with people of all ages and temperaments, assist with maintaining the appearance and operations of library building and grounds, monitor patron activities, perform opening and closing procedures, maintenance of collection bin, handle occasional cleaning or building problems, record and makes delivery of mail and maintain a safe and functional facility for the Library's patrons and staff.

Our Available Positions Part Time Custodian, Facilities Department Hours 16 hours per week: Thursday, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Possible additional shifts when necessary. Job Description Associate, Patron Services Our Patron Services team is s...

06/22/2026

Our Summer Reading Teen mascot, Agnes the Ankylosaur, shares some exciting prizes that are easy for teens enterting grades 6 to 12 to win in our prize drawing. For every 10 days you read, you'll earn a virtual raffle ticket you can redeem on Beanstack.

Any type of reading can be logged for the program – audiobooks, books read to you, e-books, e-audiobooks, graphic novels, fiction, nonfiction, magazines, manga – if you can read it, it counts! If you’re not sure where to start to find what you’d like to read, check out the teen page on our website for booklists and other ways to start.

Sign up through our website or the link in our Instagram bio. Or, if you have our mobile app, just tap on the Summer Reading logo to get started and see the complete list of prizes!

06/18/2026

Our Summer Reading Teen mascot, Agnes the Ankylosaur, shares some exciting prizes that are easy for teens enterting grades 6 to 12 to win in our prize drawing. For every 10 days you read, you’ll earn a virtual raffle ticket you can redeem on Beanstack.

Any type of reading can be logged for the program – audiobooks, books read to you, e-books, e-audiobooks, graphic novels, fiction, nonfiction, magazines, manga – if you can read it, it counts! If you’re not sure where to start to find what you’d like to read, check out the teen page on our website for booklists and other ways to start.

Sign up through our website or the link in our Instagram bio. Or, if you have our mobile app, just tap on the Summer Reading logo to get started and see the complete list of prizes!

06/17/2026

Our Summer Reading mascot, Benny the Brontosaurus, will be stomping around town this summer. And he's kicking off his tour today, June 17, National Mascot Day! Playing along is easy:

Benny will visit the front window of a different local business in Park Ridge each week, moving to a new site each Wednesday.*

🦕 Starting Wednesday, June 17, follow the clue posted in the Children’s Services department or on our website each week to find Benny.

🦕Once you’ve spotted Benny, come into the Children’s department and fill out an entry form to tell us where you found him AND what color lei he is wearing.

🦕 When you submit your answer, you’ll be entered to win an “I found Benny” T-shirt.**

At the end of Summer Reading, everyone who filled out an entry form will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing to WIN Benny!
*On Wednesday, June 24, Benny will be sleeping in until 11 a.m. Moving can be tiring!
Edited · 7h

06/12/2026

Fiber artists of all skill levels are invited to drop by our Reading Garden Saturday, June 13, and join in on Worldwide Knit in Public Day. If you don’t crochet or knit (yet), you can still stop by and see their work on display. 10 a.m. to Noon in front of the Library. 🧶

06/12/2026

KIDS! Our Summer Reading mascot, Benny the Brontosaurus, wants to tell you about some of the Round One prizes you can win this summer just for reading. (There are too many prizes to include in one post - we will share the Round Two prize list soon.)

For every 10 days that you read for 20 minutes or more, you will earn a ticket to enter into the prize drawing of your choice*.
🦕Log 10 days of reading to get some cool shades!
🦕Log 30 days to earn a prize book!
🦕Keep reading all summer to collect up to 7 total prize drawing tickets.

*Please note there will be TWO drawings for prizes.
The last day to enter for the first round of prizes is July 12 and for the second round is August 22.

06/09/2026

A cozy fantasy with a little gritty adventure? Sounds interesting. Sign up on our website calendar, get your copy at Reader Services, read the book and join Grace on June 24 to talk about ‘Kill the Beast’ by Serra Swift!

06/05/2026

Sign up, start reading, and make this a great summer!, read just four books by August 22 and earn a limited edition Summer Reading tote bag. Teens and kids, read ten days and take home a cool pair of sunnies. 😎 Keep reading to get entered to win more great prizes! Learn more about what you can win, and sign up, via our website homepage or at the link in the comments below.