Storytimes near JOHN MERLO BRANCH

Merlo, Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Join us for 30-minute story times emphasizing adult-child interaction and bonding. Stay for an optional 10-minute play time. For kids 6 to 23 months with a participating adult. How to Attend In order to provide a fun and safe program, Baby Time is limited to 25 participants (kids and adults combined). Attendance is first-come, first-served. Please look for the sign on the wall and wait in line. Doors open 5 to 10 minutes before the program begins. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Join us for 30-minute story times emphasizing adult-child interaction and bonding. Stay for an optional 10-minute play time. For kids 6 to 23 months with a participating adult. How to Attend In order to provide a fun and safe program, Baby Time is limited to 25 participants (kids and adults combined). Attendance is first-come, first-served. Please look for the sign on the wall and wait in line. Doors open 5 to 10 minutes before the program begins. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Stop by on Thursday afternoons to play games on the Nintendo Switch or to play a fast-paced, competitive board game. There will not be a program on July 16. For teens in grades 7 through 12. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Let’s take an imaginary walk down one of Chicago’s most colorful streets. In this playful, interactive program, attendees explore Devon Avenue through stories, music, movement and art. We will pretend to visit busy shops, hear fun rhythms, learn simple dance movements and discover foods, clothes and celebrations that make this neighborhood special. This joyful program, presented by Bollywood Groove, builds curiosity and kindness towards those whom we might deem "different" while learning more about our South Asian neighbors and their joyful culture! For ages 3 and up. How to Attend Register by 4 p.m. Friday, July 10. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL. Due to space limitations, please include the total number of children and adults as attendees when you register. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Join us for body positive fashion design! Through multi-media collage, create visuals of items that express how you want to present yourself in the world. All participants are invited to bring or wear an item that makes them feel good in their body. Through the workshop you will produce a new, imaginative design of something you could wear, using fabric, glue, and other art materials. You will come away with ideas of what to modify or change in their wardrobe, exploring desires and texture. This is ideal for people who desire a low-stakes creative environment to explore. Amelia-Marie Altstadt (they/she) is a local teaching artist: playwright, quilter, and facilitator of difficult discussions. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Disability Studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago, studying children of disabled adults, or CODISA, like themselves! For teens and adults. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Do you like to knit or crochet? Do you like to do cross-stitch or embroidery? Maybe you like origami. Whatever kind of craft you enjoy, you can come and join a community of crafters. Once a month, we will meet to work on our projects and hang out. Bring your own supplies and meet like-minded people. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

New baby? These short, 25-minute story times welcome infants and their caregivers to the library. For infants 0 to 5 months with a participating adult. How to Attend In order to provide a fun and safe program, Tummy Time is limited to 10 infants and their caregivers. Attendance is first-come, first-served. Please look for the sign on the wall and wait in line. Doors open 5 to 10 minutes before the program begins. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Preschoolers have a blast and get ready to read in these 30-minute playful and active story times. Special guests include local author Roxanne Woodward on June 16 and firefighter Safet Slinic on July 21. Stay for an optional 10-minute play time. For kids 2 to 5 years with a participating adult. How to Attend In order to provide a fun and safe program, this program is limited to 25 participants (kids and adults combined). Attendance is first-come, first-served. Please look for the sign on the wall and wait in line. Doors open 5 to 10 minutes before the program begins. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Wait, what’s a zine? Zines are many things, but at their simplest they're books made of paper and staples! Upcycle old comics & magazines into a creation to share with other zinesters at our art expo,  New Expressions . For teens in grades 7 - 12. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Complete one of our design challenges or let your imagination run wild. We're excited to see what you create! LEGO bricks are provided, and creations are displayed at the library for a week after the program. For kids 4 to 13 years (children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult). How to Attend Space is limited to 15 kids and their adults. Attendance is first-come, first-served. Please look for the sign on the wall and wait in line. Participants must arrive at least half an hour before the end of the program in order to have time to work. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, Meeting Room, 1st Floor, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Let's learn about and explore our neighborhood of Lake View! This week, we'll walk around our block and learn about some of the trees we see on our streets.  This is an outdoor program; please dress accordingly. This program may be postponed or cancelled in case of high heat or rain.  For children ages 8 to 13 years. Because we are going outside the library, all children must be accompanied by an adult . How to Attend Please reserve one spot for each child when you register.  Do not include adults in the number of attendees. Registration closes 24 hours prior to each program. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Join us on Wednesday nights to play a short tabletop role-playing game, or “Micro-RPG.” No prior experience needed! Participants are welcome to suggest or bring games. For teens and adults. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Regin Igloria, visual artist and founder and has been leading Community Binding workshops throughout the Chicagoland area (and beyond) since 2010. The workshops introduce bookbinding skills and techniques to participants in a collaborative setting. Various binding techniques are covered, including variations on hand-sewn pamphlets and zines. Prompts are incorporated in the process to build content within the books, and instructional handouts and samples are shared, offering expanded resources to explore the medium beyond the work session. Participants come away with a few variations of books they have made and contribute to an ongoing community archiving project. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

Step into Miss Make-Believe’s wonderfully unique world of magic, storytelling and lots of laughter! Experience a magical picnic where we explore themes of kindness, creativity, nature and community. Fun for all ages. For kids 0 to 13. How to Attend Register by 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL. Due to space limitations, please include the total number of children and adults as attendees when you register. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

A Disney classic which follows a young deer named Bambi from birth to his crowning as Prince of the Forest. Joined by his rabbit friend and skunk companion, Bambi learns how to navigate life, love and loss in the beautiful and dangerous forest that he calls home. ©Walt Disney Pictures - 70 mins. - Rated G Community Cinema is at a branch near you! Check out hundreds of other screenings at libraries across Chicago. Accessibility English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available for this screening.

Merlo, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657

For our July discussion, we will be reading  The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande. This story traces the author's experiences as an illegal child immigrant, describing her father's violent alcoholism, her efforts to obtain a higher education, and the inspiration of Latina authors. Copies of the book are available at the 2nd Floor Reference Desk. How to Attend This event is available in person and online. Attend in person at the Merlo Branch, 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657 Attend online via Zoom Only one registration per household is needed. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting about 24 hours before the meeting. Questions about attending online events? Check out our Events FAQs . Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.