Zion-Benton Public Library

We are now accepting credit/debit cards at the Circulation Desk or online. Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover (for Fines & Fees or Donations). Soon, you’ll be able to pay directly from your account in iBistro.

Is there a plant in your garden you can’t identify? Does your lawn need help? Are insects and weeds taking over? University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are here to help. Bring any plant, weed or insect samples in sealed plastic bags or containers...

All current and prospective homeschoolers are invited to hear presentations and view curriculum from vendors, including Usborne Books. Homeschoolers are invited to sell, swap or give away any study materials that they have outgrown...

Visit @ your library – a new site from the American Library Association. @ your library was created just for library users and can help you get the most out of your library.

Two free Ravinia lawn passes will be given to adults who sign up for the Summer Reading Club (while supplies last). Tickets are for selected jazz and classical concerts and may also be used as a $10 credit toward reserved seating at the same concert...

Kid’s driving you wild this summer? The library has tons of fun activities for kids. Check out the http://zblibrarykids.wordpress.compage for information on summer programs, including: Storytimes Fairy Tea Party Harry Potter Party Summer Showtime...

READ ON THE WILD SIDE Join the online Summer Reading Club just for ‘tweens, beginning Saturday, June 6. The club will be a wild competition between girls and boys to determine who are the wildest ‘tween readers...

On Friday, May 29, library staff will be getting to know the three communities we serve. We are having a community scavenger hunt in Beach Park, Winthrop Harbor and Zion. Each team has to visit a minimum of 50 places and eat lunch at a local restaurant...

Photographs taken at library programs may be used in library promotions. Photos may be released to local newspapers and used on the library’s web sites. Please notify staff if you do not wish yourself or your child to be photographed.

Learn new skills this summer at one of these introductory classes. Classes are hands-on and limited to 12, although two people may share a computer. Open to adults and teens, 14 years of age and older. Advance registration and a valid ZBPL card are required...

The library offers a great head start for job hunters...

The Friends of the Library will holda bake sale at 12 noon on Saturday, May 9th. Come to the plant swap and buy some delicious baked goods. All proceeds benefit the library.

Check out the beautiful photographs by Maria Reyes, Estudio La Storia on display now in the computer lab gallery.

Art by Zion-Benton Township High School students is on display in the lobby through May 9. ZBTHS music students will perform in the lobby on Tuesday, May 5,from 3:30-4:30 p.m Stop by the library and see (or hear)works by very talented students.

The Board of Trustees of the Zion-Benton Public Library District invite applicants for appointment to TWO uncompleted Trustee positions. Appointments are effective from June, 2009, through April 30, 2011...

Visit these sites for the latest up-to-date information on the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as Swine Flu: Lake County Health Department Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Disease Control

This little guy bumped into a window but was rescued by staff. A staff member identified it as a Golden-crowned Kinglet. See more information here. See more pictures.

Come to the 10th annual Plant Swap to get ideas on how to make your plants greener and how to “go green” in your garden. Bring a plant and ideas to swap with other garden lovers. Saturday, May 9, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The library is not a polling place - but we’ll be happy to help you find your polling place. Give us a call at 847-872-4680, ext. 4, or search online for your polling place...

Ever been traveling and just need to find a library? Thanks to Ben Ostrowskyfor creating this nifty application. Text LIBRARY 12345 to 41411, assuming that your ZIP code is 12345. You will get a text message with the name, address, and phone number of the nearest library.

On March 25, we had a special visitor behind the library. A Turkey Vulture! See more pictures here. According to the Illinois Raptor Center, Turkey Vultures are becoming more popular in Illinois. Our photographer didn’t get too close, as they defend themselves by throwing up.

On 03/24/09, the Board of Trustees adopted a new policy regarding the use of facilities (meeting rooms). Changes include: Decreasing the fee for commercial use to $10 per hour. Allowing social events (provided that the groups adhere to the library’s Behavior policy)...

Our annual visitors are back - it’s officially Spring at the library! See more…

Darrius poses inZBistro before brewing his hot chocolate. Come on in and see the photo gallery of recent visitors. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate is $1 per cup.

Whoa! Don’t throw out your old tennis shoes or small electronics (cell phones, DVD players, digital cameras, etc.). Bring them to the library! We are collaborating with two local agencies by collecting these items for recycling.

Where can we find out about the lives of individuals and families who are not well represented by surviving official records? Grandma’s privy...

Learn the fundamental steps of this simple and peaceful practice to improve the health of your body, mind and spirit. Your guide, Lisa Schab, is a licensed clinical social worker with a broad-based private counseling practice...

Robert J. Kolasa, former IRS attorney and certified public accountant, will guide you through the maze of estate planning, including living trusts, probate, asset protection and estate taxes. Register online. Saturday, April 4, 10:30 a.m.

Elderhostel is a non-profit organization that provides educational travel programs in the U.S. and abroad to adults 55 and older. Nearly 8,000 offerings a year in 90 countries include opportunities for intergenerational travel with children and grandchildren...

Nearly 900 books and dozens of genealogy and local history newsletters from all over the U.S. and Canada are now part of ZBPL’s collection. This extensive research collection is shelved in the study room in the Adult Services department...

You can hear beautiful music in the library every day as people sit down at the piano in the lobby. We thank Family Piano Company of Waukegan for making it possible. Don’t be shy. Come on in and play us a tune!

Bring your unfinished projects–knittnig, beading, paper crafting, needlepoint, quilting, etc. Meet new friends, share ideas with fellow crafters and have fun while you work. Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 15 July 20

Join the Families First GED classes that meet at the library and earn your high school equivalency diploma! Classes are for parents who have children under the age of 6. Children come to class with a parent and free child care is provided with special activities, stories and crafts...

Nearly 80 years ago S. R. Ranganathan, a mathematician turned librarian, set down a few words about libraries. At ZBPL we carry out Ranganathan’s “laws” which state: Books are for use. Books and materials are purchased to be used, not to sit on the shelf like museum pieces...