Are you missing the library? All the books, magazines, DVDs and audiobooks? Maybe even a favorite librarian or two? Not to mention the fun, crafty and educational programs we are so well known for? We want you to know, we miss you too! So much! We miss all the familiar faces we have come to know and love over the years and we can’t wait to fling the front doors wide open and see you all again. The very minute it is safe to do so, we intend to do just that.

So, I have good news and I have great news.

The good news is, in the meantime, just because our building is currently closed, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get the abundant library services you have come to expect from us.

You can use The Digital Library of Illinois, or Libby in app form, for e-books and e-audiobooks. They offer a wide variety of titles for the whole family.

The Hoopla app offers e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, TV shows and music. They’re kind of a one stop shop!

If it’s movies and documentaries you’re looking for, give Kanopy a try.

On Freegal, music lovers can download five free songs every week and stream music for three hours a day.

RB Digital has dozens of popular magazines you can read cover to cover. Perfect for staying indoors on a rainy Spring day.

All of these can be found at this link. https://apld.info/digital-collection-services/

For the younger crowd, check out Tumble Books. From story books and graphic novels to language learning, and puzzles and games, they have everything a kid could want. Tumble Books can be found here. https://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/Home.aspx?categoryID=77

The great news is, now you can put all that reading and listening to good use in two different ways this year!

First, by joining the Summer Reading Program. It will work a little differently this year, but it is still the amazing Summer Reading Program you’re used to. As usual, log in or create your account in Beanstack https://apld.beanstack.org/reader365, and enter the books or minutes you have read, as you go. You will earn rewards along the way and be entered in drawings for prizes at the end.

Second, and new this year, is the Community Read-a-thon for Open Arms Mission. This is a great way to help your local community and it’s super easy! Just take all those books and minutes you’re already reading anyway and apply them to the Community Read-a-thon. They count towards both events!

If we as a community, read a total of 40,000 minutes in a two-week period the Antioch Library Friends will contribute $800 to the Open Arms Mission. Over the five two-week sessions, that will be a total of $4,000. What a wonderful way for all of us to contribute collectively in this time of uncertainty and let our fellow community members know that we are all in this together.

Be well. Stay safe.