Bloomingdale Public Library

Library is More Than Books

While the Bloomingdale Public Library offers many quality materials and programs, the library also is able to provide even more innovative ideas and spaces for the community, thanks to careful planning, as well as the generosity of patrons. While the library was closed during last year’s pandemic, a BPL Makerspace was installed in the youth services area where members of the community can get creative in various ways. The space includes craft equipment, vinyl cutters, button makers, fabric and die cutters, heat press, quilting cutters, sewing machines and more. The quilt cutter lets anyone cut fabric into various shapes for quilt making. There is also a 3D printer to make ideas into reality. “We have a small photo booth, as well, so people can take pictures of something without a background or of something they might want to sell online,” said Bloomingdale Public Library Public Relations/ Marketing Coordinator Beth Dover. “The Makerspace is for homecrafters and people who want to try something new at making something, and also helping those with home crafting businesses. “We are holding some teen craft programs and youth programming in the Makerspace,” Dover said. “We also have open hours for the public to come in and use the space on Thursdays and Saturdays right now, with hopes to expand those times in the future.” The library also installed a memorial garden outside in 2021 with a donation from one of the library’s patrons. The garden, called the Dominic Froio Memorial Garden, was named for Dominic Froio, who had previously donated to the library in memory of his daughter Donna Beth, who passed away at age 16. That donation created a foregin language collection in the youth services area in her memory. “When he passed a few years ago, he donated a sum of money to the library. We created a memorial garden in his name to honor his contribution,” Dover said. Public input was instrumental in the use of Froio’s donation to create the garden. Constructed as a peaceful space for the community, it includes benches, tables and chairs and other outdoor seating arrangements, surrounded by plantings. The garden allows for expansion of patron programming and includes a butterfly garden that follows IDNR guidelines and outdoor seating with Wi-Fi access. The garden is listed on the Monarch Watch Waystation Registry and is a certified Monarch Garden by the North American Butterfly Association.