Free--That's Right, FREE Downloadable Audiobooks!

Audiobooks are one of my all time favorite things. Audiobook narrators do an amazing job of bringing the story to life and create a different way to view a story. For instance, I love reading the Harry Potter books but listening to Jim Dale read them is an entirely different experience. Audiobooks are great for a long car trip or just listening to as your getting ready for bed. Knowing my enthusiasm for audiobooks, you can understand why this is my favorite time of year. The SYNC free downloadable audiobooks are about to begin!

For the past two summers AudioFile magazine, which lets you in on the best audiobooks, and audiobook publishers have been bringing listeners SYNC! For twelve weeks you have access to download a free YA modern title and a classic which is a fitting companion. That's 24 free titles! The only catch: you only have the week they are available to download them, but once you do, it's yours to keep.

Here are all the titles available this summer and when. Now some of these titles might be more suitable for older teens. So make sure you tell your high school teen, or download it anyways for when your child is older. Or for you to listen to! This is a fantastic deal that only happens in the summer. Make sure you download them all!

May 30-June 5
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

June 6-June 12
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, #1 by Maryrose Wood
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

June 13-June 19

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

June 20-June 26

Once by Morris Gleitzman

Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

June 27-July 3
Rotters by Daniel Kraus
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

July 4-July 10

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

July 11-July 17

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

July 18-July 24

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Hamlet by Charles Dickens

July 25-July 31

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

August 1-August 7

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

August 8-August 14
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

August 15-August 21
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie

All you need to do to download the books is click on the link below and follow the directions. In summers past, all you've needed to get the books was your name and email address. Then you'll need OverDrive Media Console to play them (which, if you already download e-audiobooks from our library you'll have already). The whole process is quick and easy!

When your teen is looking for some good books for their summer reading have them check out the SYNC titles! It's a great way for them to get their summer reading in. Post us a comment and let us know which book your teen liked best. I've read Death Cloud, which imagines a young Sherlock Holmes just starting to solve mysteries, and it was fantastically eerie. The top titles I can't wait for? The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, The Raven Boys, The Peculiar, Grave Mercy, and The False Prince. I'm going to have a busy summer!

Visit www.audiobooksync.com to start downloading your books on May 30th.

Chess + Library = Big Brain

With study after study touting chess playing with an increase in cognitive and social skills in children- it seems chess is in the equation. That’s the kind of news that gets us excited and springs the library into action! We are delighted to introduce our newest offering (thanks to funding by the Friends of the Library): a library family chess club, Chess Mates! The club will meet the first Saturday of September through May, no registration required. Next one is tomorrow, April 6^th from, 1:30-2:30 pm.  Instructors from CheckMatesUSA will be present to teach chess at all ages and skill levels but a basic understanding of chess is required.  Chess for the family allows parents and siblings to enjoy brain boosting benefits of chess too.

In May, we are having a Beginner Chess Workshop, a 3 consecutive Saturday afternoon series for children who would like to learn how to start playing chess. Visit the Events calendar or call the Youth Services Desk  847-376-2839 for more information on any chess program. We hope to see you here!

Brain abilities and other benefits of playing chess at Des Plaines Public Library

• Memory skills
• Exercises and develops of various parts of the brain
• Problem solving
• Concentration, planning, strategizing
• Creativity
• Reading skills
• Social skills
• Communication/ sportsmanship
• Self confidence/ self worth / coping skills

Here are some links to studies on chess and the brain! 

Ten Big Brain Benefits of Playing Chess

Chess Also Develops Psychological Skills Says New Study

Chess Improves Academic Performance

Note: Above blog image source: http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/

Calling All Future Babysitters!

Did you babysit when you were a teenager? For many of us it was our first job. I remember being so excited when my next door neighbor trusted me to take care of her toddler. Before I could start sitting for him by myself, she had me take a babysitting class.

Has your teen in grades 6-12 talked about wanting to babysit? Encourage them to register for the library's Want to Babysit? class on Wednesday, March 27th, from 1-5. We'll go over so many different things: how to look for babysitting jobs and how to act once you get them, basic child care, and how to stay safe and keep the kids safe while you're babysitting.

After they take the class, talk to them about furthering their babysitting skills by taking a CPR and first aid class. Before you know it, they'll have the skills and confidence to go out and have their first babysitting jobs. Then, one day far in the future, they'll look back fondly on those days of their first job--and realize that those babies that sat for then are teenagers today!

Have them sign up by visiting our registration page by clicking here or calling the library at 847.376.2839.

We are so grateful to be partnering with Madeline May, the City of Des Plaines Community Health Nurse, and the Des Plaines Police Department. Special thanks to the Friends of the Library for funding this program.