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FAMILY TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Tucked inside the pocket of the Park Forest Public Library is a Family
Technology Center waiting to be discovered.
Once upon a time…
The Library responded to the community’s need for more computers in a family-friendly environment. The Family Technology Center was designed to allow parents who bring their children 12 and under to the library to maximize their productive time on library computers while their children are reading, playing, napping, listening to music, working on a school project, or viewing DVD’s. All of this takes place in two rooms, available for reservation, that are furnished with computers, comfortable furniture, toys, and inspiring artwork.
RESERVATIONS
There is no charge for the use of the rooms in the Family Technology Center. The Center is designed
for use by a parent or legal guardian accompanied by children 12 and under, and will be reserved
exclusively for families.
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult in the Family Technology Center at all
times. Patrons may reserve a room in the Family Technology Center for up to a two-hour session per
day. Reservations will be accepted up to 24 hours in advance. The reservation will be held
until ten minutes past the scheduled time, at which time it will be given to the next patron.
During unscheduled time slots, patrons will be served as space permits. Patrons must sign up for their time slot at the Adult Services Desk.
Both Adults and children must have library cards with them in good standing to use the computer. Adults may be asked to provide identification that includes proof of age.
The Park Forest Fire Department occupancy limit for the Family Technology Center is five people per room.
Happily ever after…
We hope to expand the Family Technology Center Project to include collections and services that promote family literacy, environmentalism, and a peaceful vocabulary for our global and neighborhood context.
The Family Technology Center is an ongoing community project, and contributions from donors like you are necessary to ensure the upkeep, upgrades, and next phases of service to families in our communities.
If you would like to make a contribution, please make your check payable to the Park Forest Public Library and mark it FTC. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Osuch, Administrative Librarian, at 708-748-3731 (BarbaraO@sslic.net).
Room 1: Jan Spivey Gilchrist |
ROOM 2: KEVIN HENKES |
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Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Olympia Fields resident and nationally acclaimed artist and illustrator, contributed art work and furnishings in the style of her book Indigo and Moonlight Gold for the Family Technology Center. Ms. Gilchrist's career as a fine artist and illustrator has spanned over a quarter-century. She has exhibited extensively throughout North America. Books illustrated by Ms. Gilchrist have received ALA Notables and numerous prestigious awards. Nathaniel Talking by Eloise Greenfield won her the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration in 1990, and Night on Neighborhood Street, also by Ms. Greenfield, won the 1992 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award for Illustration. This book is also a Reading Rainbow Book. |
The second room in the Family Technology Center is furnished and designed in the style of children’s author and illustrator Kevin Henkes. Mr. Henkes is a resident of Madison, Wisconsin, and is a nationally acclaimed author of children’s novels as well as picture books. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse was named one of the 100 Best Books for Children. Mr. Henkes donated three colorful posters, personally autographed to the “Families of Park Forest Public Library,” which served as inspiration for the design and colors of this room. The 2005 Caldecott Medal Winner Kitten's First Full Moon was Illustrated & written by Kevin Henkes (www.kevinhenkes.com). |
DONORS
Alice Adelman |
Kevin Henkes |
The Family Technology Center at the Park Forest Public Library was made possible through a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library in October 2003. Funds were provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The Center was opened to the public in June of 2004.