We love our families! We're here to support parents and caregivers so that your kids can thrive at home and in school.
We have lots of spaces for children to explore in a safe environment, and for caregivers to meet with one another.
- Kids Room: A safe, engaging space filled with toys and activities for our youngest visitors.
- Activity Room: Perfect for kids in grades K–2 to play and create.
- BOOMbox: Open to grades 3–5 when school is out, with exciting activities and experiments.
- The Lab: Drop-in computer access for kids up to 8th grade (kids under 8 must be with an adult).
- North Courtyard: Enjoy outdoor games, water play, and more in warm weather.
- The Café: Take a break with snacks from vending machines and indoor/outdoor seating.
We have a sensory break room for families that may need a little peace and quiet. Sensory kits are available at the Kids Help Desk with a variety of switch-activated toys, fine-motor manipulatives, and sensory-input devices. You can download and print our social narrative to have a better understanding of the Kids Room layout.
We also offer sensory-friendly movie viewings and early access to the library once a month. Check our calendar often for dates and times.
Five study rooms in the Kids Room can fit one to six people, depending on room size. Each room is available to reserve.
Search our catalog for great books to help kids become confident readers. Help your child read 1,000 books before kindergarten with Grow a Reader! Just ask staff at the Kids Desk to get started.
Just outside the Kids Room, you’ll find family-friendly movies and shows, perfect for your next movie night. And don't miss our STEAM Kits, themed kits for little learners, and board games to take home and enjoy together!
We also have books for grown-ups on parenting topics. Search our parenting collection or browse more titles on the second floor.
Book Recommendations
2024 Staff Picks for Babies-PreK
These are books we think grown-ups will love to share with the littlest readers in their lives. They range from silly to unusual to deeply meaningful, and everything in-between.
2024 Staff Picks: Fiction for Grade 3-5
From books about zombies to escape rooms to spies to time travelers to spooky stories to friend and school stories , this list has staff favorites for every kind of reader.
2024 Staff Picks: Graphic Novels and Nonfiction for Grade 3-5
In this list, you'll find funny books, fantasies, realistic stories about kids trying to fit in, true adventure stories, and more.
2024 Staff Picks: Picture Books for Grade K-2
Many kids love to share picture books with their grown-ups, and these books were specially chosen for this purpose. Also see the 2024 staff picks list of readers, chapter books, and nonfiction for grade K-2.
2024 Staff Picks: Readers, Chapter Books, Graphic Novels, and Nonfiction for Grade K-2
The list includes books for kids just learning to read, through independent readers. Also see the staff picks list for picture books for this age group.
eBooks and Streaming
Hoopla
A vast collection of eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, and music, all available for instant borrowing. TV and mobile apps available.
Kanopy Kids
A curated collection of content for children ages 2-8 with unlimited viewing. TV and mobile apps are available.
Libby/OverDrive
Popular and best-selling eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines for all ages. An app is available.
LOTE4Kids
Online picture books for to read or listen to in more than 70 languages, including Arabic, Amharic, Dari, Romanian, Ukrainian, and Urdu. An app is available.
TumbleBook Library
A collection of animated, narrated picture books that kids can follow along word for word. An app is available.
Learning Resources & Homework Help
ABCMouse.com
Award-wining education software that introduces preschoolers and kindergarteners to reading, math, social science, art, and music.
Britannica Library
Articles, videos, biographies, atlases, and primary sources divided into three levels suitable for kids, teens, and adults.
CultureGrams Online
Detailed descriptions of daily life, customs, foods, and culture around the world, as well as information on U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
Explora
Full-text newspaper and magazine articles and nonfiction books in an interface designed for students in grades 5-8.
LOTE4Kids
Online picture books for kids to read or listen to in more than 70 languages, including Arabic, Amharic, Dari, Hebrew, Hindi, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Urdu. An app also is available.
Community Resources
Infant Welfare Society of Evanston
One-on-one parental training and crisis support.
Metropolitan Family Services
Early learning, after-school and job readiness programs, counseling, mental health services, and legal assistance.
Niles Township Community Clothing Closet
Primarily for children attending school within Niles Township (Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, and Skokie), provides 2-3 gently used outfits and a set of new socks and underwear per child.
Skokie Park District
240 acres of parkland; programs in the arts, nature, sports, and fitness; specialized programs for tots through seniors, including summer day camps, full-day child care and preschool, and before- and after-school care for grades K-5.
