Though our building is closed, our E-Library is open 24/7. See more important closure information.
The Teen Stuck Inside Guide
Check out the website Covid-TV:
Created by Chicago area teens for teens around the world dealing with COVID-19, this website provides a online community where teens can share their experiences, ask questions, participate in projects, and find a virtual connection during this time of social distancing.
Activity Lists
Here are some handy lists of activities you can do while stuck indoors.
- 100 Things Teenagers Can Do without Screens
- 100+ Offline Activities to Reduce Screen Time
- Thirty Handmade Days: Activities for Teens
Music/Concerts
Have you checked out Qello? Get access to concerts from Queen, Pink Floyd, Lady Gaga, Metallica, Nirvana, Tiësto, Tupac, Slipknot, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and so many others with your library card!
Art At Home
Looking for something to keep your hands and your creative mind busy? Have you tried our brand new resource, Creativebug? Your library card gains you access to professional crafting instructions and tutorials for crafts of all kinds for all levels! Also check out the below links for more ideas!
Museums and Animal Cams!
Wish you could get out and see something new? Take a virtual tour of a museum or watch a zoo cam.
- Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch (Video)
- Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links
- Old Salem Museum & Gardens
- Kansas City Zoo King Penguin Cam
- The Best Animal Livestreams to Watch While You're Social Distancing
Games to Do At Home
- 365 Escape: Virtual Escape Rooms
- Harry Potter Escape Rooms
- Love In the Time of Corona: a Texting Experience
- Live Streaming Trivia
Author Activities/Writing Courses/Read Alouds
- These YA Authors are Keeping Us Together in the Time of Social Distancing
- Neal Shusterman's Virtual Reading Series
- Kelly Yang's Free Writing Classes
- LeVar Burton Reads
- The New York Public Library's SimplyE makes thousands of books available to anyone with a smartphone.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
- 9 Places To Volunteer Online (And Make A Real Impact)
- 2020: The Hunger Challenge: Fighting Hunger and Malnutrition
- Library of Congress
- Get Involved: NASA Solve
- SciStarter: Citizen Scientists
- Don't Cancel: Creative Activism and Coronavirus