Park Ridge:
Demographics:
White: 93%
Black: 0.5%
Asian: 3.7%
Hispanic: 5%
Other: >2
Population: 37, 480
High School: Maine South
-Enrollment: 2,617
-Average class size: 21
-Average ACT scores: 24.6
-Graduated (senior class, 2009): 96%
-Ranked
9th
by Chicago Tribune among non-magnet high schools in Illinois (according to
average PSAE)
-Offers
20 Advanced Placement courses
Park Ridge Library:
As you approach the Park Ridge public library, you see these two large signs hanging. The Park Ridge library holds many reading programs throughout the summer, each year with a new theme. These year the theme is "Paws to Read". Students and young children are encouraged to read a specific number of books during the summer (depending on age level) to earn stickers and prizes.
Across from the library:
Across the street from the Park Ridge public library is a Starbucks. I could see people inside with their laptops, newspapers, and books reading and working. There is a safety crosswalk that leads from Starbucks to the Park Ridge public library. As a high school student my friends and I would grab a drink from the Starbucks and then head to the library to study for big exams and finals.
A short walk from the library, a popular place to read and work:
Just a block past the Starbucks aforementioned is a larger and busier Starbucks. This Starbucks is always packed with people reading or groups of people working. I always see high school students and college students in here working on papers and studying. This Starbucks has tons of comfortable seating and chairs for people to work. It provides a social atmosphere for people to read and discuss.
Literacy information provided:
Walking around the Public library I found tons of information about school programs (pre-school to high school), reading programs (for both youth and adults), library events, and much more. There was no shortage for information about literacy programs, education, tutoring, and educational programs. The boards were decorated and welcoming.
Technology in the Library, Children's area:
iPads for kids to work and play! Computers for work and play!
Audio books!
The Park Ridge public library had endless multimodal resources for youth in the children section. There was an iPad station, a computer area, tons of audio books, CDS, DVDS, and videos for children to check out and/or use at the library. The children section is bright, colorful, and friendly. There are endless things for children in this area. There was a sitting area with tons of picture books for little kids, and plenty of technology and short novels for older children.
Community book club:
I found a sign with information for book discussion groups hosted by the public library. I liked how there were several options, and that anyone from the community was welcome to join. I think a book discussion is a fun and interactive activity for people of all ages to discuss what they've been reading. This is a great activity and resource for those in the community who love to read.
Area to donate and rent magazines:
Magazines are also a source of literacy and entertainment. Magazines can be an expense that many people/families may not be able to afford. Luckily, this area of the library allows people access to magazines for free. I think this is a great area for people/students to grab a quick and easy read.
Movie night:
I wanted to add this picture, because as I was walking past I heard a mother and her daughter discussing the movie. I realized how this is a great movie choice for a community movie night because it has a wide audience. The movie also involves literacy because it about the adaption of the story of Mary Poppins into a movie.
Young adult loft:
This area is secluded to just young adults. I really like that there is a Book Buddy program for strictly young adults. This allows teenagers the chance to discover different types of literacy and genres together. Students can learn a lot from each other, so it is great that this program is encourages youth to read and discuss novels together. As a teacher I would like to encourage my students to take part in literacy programs in their community, because it is important for students read outside of the classroom to build upon their reading skills and interests. Furthermore, there is a librarian just for the young adult section to assist them with finding novels that suit their interests and reading levels.
Academic Tutoring Center:
Across the street and railroad tracks from the Park Ridge public library is a tutoring center named Academic Tutoring Center. This tutoring center provides a variety of needs. My mom would sign me up for a tutor before my spanish finals to help me study for the exams (a subject I struggled with). I had friends that took ACT prep classes here. My brother also received reading help here when he was younger because he had a slight learning disability. It was a great place to get little or a lot of tutoring help and provided help for many subjects.
Conclusion:
Although I often attend the Park Ridge public library to study and find resources for schoolwork, I never paid attention to the literacy resources, information, and wide array of programs available. I was very impressed with the updated technology available for young children (iPad station). I also didn't realize the amount of information available for parents with young kids regarding preschool options, literacy programs, academic programs, and much more. There was also tons of programs for adults such as book discussions and classes. The library is located at the center of Park Ridge, in an area called Uptown Park Ridge. It has easy accessibly (right next to the train station) and has a safety cross walk from the front of the library to the shops on stores across the street (ex: a small Starbucks). I was surprised when I visited my old elementary school by the lack of literacy (ex: signs, posters). I question if that is because school is out for the summer or if the outside of the school is always bare of quotes, signs, and posters. The signs around Park Ridge are all in English, this is probably due to the lack of diversity in the community. There are several academic tutoring centers available at a cost for parents. I noticed at least 6-7 one on one tutoring sessions at the library itself, consisting of an adult tutoring a student. Overall, I believe that Park Ridge provides many of literacy and community programs, especially at the public library.
