Bolingbrook Chamber Newsletter_Fall 2025 by Shaw Media

Enjoy Fall & Winter in

Get to know Fountaindale Public Library BOLINGBROOK

A PUBLICATION OF THE BOLINGBROOK AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

It’s said that inside a library are the greatest stories ever told, but at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook there’s far more than books. Inside the building there’s space to record a podcast, create a custom T-shirt with a logo you design and even learn to play an instru-

ment and record a song.

“Libraries are shifting from being a place for books to being a community center and being a community hub,” said Melissa Bradley, communications manager for Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook.

Bolingbrook has had a library since 1970 and in 2011 the current building opened its doors, quickly becoming a cornerstone

in the community, providing resources and programming for all ages. Gone are the days of libraries merely being a place to catalog books, Bradley said Fountaindale Public Library sees its role as helping residents thrive.

Libraries are rapidly evolving to meet the needs of today’s dynamic and diverse communities. While they continue to

oﬀer access to books—both inperson and digitally—they have also pivoted to become multifunctional community hubs.

Studio 300 is the library’s digital creation space featuring six recording studios, two television studios and a Mac computer lab with the latest digital media creation software. Every day users are music, podcasts

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NOW OPEN

Plan your visit today and explore our exciting new: WELCOME!

Outdoor spaces

BOLINGBROOK AREA CHAMBER STAFF

Animal habitats Nature exhibits

Hidden Oaks, at 419 Trout Farm Road in Bolingbrook, is open to the public with free admission!

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nature center is fully accessible.

ReconnectWithNature.org

MELISSA BOLTZ President & CEO

REBECCA MITCHELL Director Of Events and Communications

VANESSA DELGADO-CEJUDO Office Manager

BOLINGBROOK AREA CHAMBER BOARD

LARRY GREENWICH Illinois Aviation Museum Chair

PAUL CRUSE Christian Brothers Automotive Vice Chair

KAREN METCALFE Eberhart Accounting Services, P.C. Treasurer

JOE GIAMANCO Giamanco Law Partners, Ltd Past Chair

DIRECTORS

KRISTINE KUCHLER The Promenade Bolingbrook

ROBYN MCBROOM McBroom’s Cleaning Services, LLC

JENNA FASH Fash Counseling

MIKE JOSTES Citgo Petroleum Corporation

TRISTAN SHAW UChicago Medicine Advent Health

DR. MITCHELL QUILL Bolingbrook Family Chiropractic

DENNIS IGOE Holiday Inn & Suites Bolingbrook

DEBBIE WATSON Angelic Kindness

NATE HOOVER Cornerstone Mortgage

and editing videos.

Inside the Maker Lab is a trove of resources where patrons can use a sewing machine, design and print a vinyl logo and there’s even a T-shirt press. There’s a 3-D printer, machine to create embroidery and a Glowforge that can create wood cutouts.

“We have a lot of talented people who come into the Maker Lab,” Bradley said.

And there’s the talented staff, who can answer questions, locate information and provide instruction. Staff also serve as instructors for classes, whether it’s learning how to sew or make a digital file of your favorite vinyl record or cassette tape.

There’s also the monthly library programming calendar, ﬁlled with book discussions, story times, games, educational lectures and plenty of entertainment.

The library oﬀers spaces to play, create and work too. Throughout the library visitors can choose to work in a cozy

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chair or at a table with window views. Bradley explained how recent renovations added seating and access to electrical outlets. Last year the library converted a quiet reading room space into a new place for people to read, work on tablets and laptops.

“That room is ﬁlled every day. People are really utilizing that space,” Bradley said.

While the upper level provides quiet space to work, study and read, the lower level is a hub of activity especially in the children’s services department where story times are ﬁlled with happy toddlers and preschoolers as well as their parents and caregivers. These programs are opening the doors for the next generation to discover what the library has to oﬀer with books, games and movies and connecting them to stories of the past, and technology that will be a part of their future.

For Bradley, it’s the connections between people, helping library patrons ﬁnd the resources they need for work or play is what makes the library

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BRIGHT FUTURES START HERE

The Y believes that young people deserve every opportunity possible to learn, grow, and thrive. By connecting kids to their potential, purpose, and each other, the Y empowers kids and teens to shape the communities of tomorrow, today.

The Y is your family’s one-stop source for affordable year-round child care.

• Before and After School Kid Zone Program

• Summer Day Camp Programs

Now offered onsite at Valley View 365 Elementary Schools

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE

At the Y, no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. Financial assistance is available. DHS funds are also accepted.

ENROLL YOUR CHILD TODAY

To learn more, visit www.jolietymca.org or contact the Y at (815) 267-8600.

Now Enrolling

At Kiddie Academy, we are first and foremost caregivers. We believe care and learning should go hand in hand, and the two should always be balanced with a big dose of fun. Our commitment to quality child care and innovative programs set us apart from the competition.

Our Life Essentials® learning approach and curriculum encourages children to explore and progress in their own way, and at their own pace. At Kiddie Academy, your child will grow socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually. Our highly trained teachers are there every step of the way to guide, nurture and cultivate your child’s development.

To learn more, schedule a tour and enroll, contact us at one of our nearby locations:

Kiddie Academy of Bolingbrook kiddieacademy.com/bolingbrook (630) 679-9400

Kiddie Academy of Oak Park kiddieacademy.com/oakpark (708) 628-7401

Kiddie Academy of Darien kiddieacademy.com/darien (630) 541-8250

Coming Soon:

Kiddie Academy of Countryside/LaGrange

an integral part of the community.

“The more connected we are as a community, the better we are as a community,” Bradley said. “We want to serve our community in all facets.”

Throughout the last 14 years the current library building has continued to evolve as the library leadership looks for ways to best utilize its spaces.

And the library is more than a physical building. The library’s Bookmobile is a fullservice mobile branch of the library. During the summer months the Bookmobile is on the road, visiting parks, day camps and town events.

Additionally, residents can request Home Delivery Service to bring library materials directly to their door. This service can be a huge asset to someone managing mobility issues, health conditions and there’s an option for new parents.

Through Tech to Go library cardholders can borrow lap-

tops, tablets, portable DVD players and mobile hotspots equipped with Wi-Fi. Patrons can borrow a Roku player with a subscription service, to stream content or a record player and

Certiﬁed Medicare Insurance Planner Social Security Analyst

vinyl records to enjoy. Need to update voter registration or have a document notarized, the library staﬀ can assist at no cost. Staﬀ can also assist with license plate renewals.

Museum Adventure Pass connects library cardholders to a number of museums and cultural destinations in the state, including day passes to the Brookﬁeld Zoo.

September 2025

Concert on the Hill, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center, 7:30 pm, Strungout 3 2 1

Concert on the Hill, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center, 7:30 pm, Classical Blast

Bolingbrook Pathways Parade, 2:00 pm

Bolingbrook Joyfest, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center, 1:00 pm –8:00 pm

789 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 2526 27 282930

Bolingbrook Jublilee, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center

Concert on the Hill, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm, The GooRoos

Death of a Gangster, Murder Mystery presented by the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, 6:00 pm (open to the public)

Hispanic Heritage Month on the Bookmobile – Presented by Fountaindale Public Library, 10 am – 2 pm, Target Bolingbrook

El Grito, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center, 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Fall Fest at the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 200 Lindsey Lane from 3:006:00 pm

Day of the Immigrant, Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

• Borrow books, eBooks, movies, video games and professional electronic equipment

• Discover storytimes, arts & crafts, technology and more for kids, teens and adults

• Reserve meeting rooms and study rooms at no cost

• Enhance your digital media and creative skills in Studio 300

• Use our eResources to learn a new language, search your family history, take instructor-led courses and more

• Earn your accredited high school diploma through Career Online High School

Get your library card today at fountaindale.org.

October 2025

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 234 56789 10 11 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 2829 1 30 31

Mall-o-Ween, The Promenade Bolingbrook

Friends Book Sale, Fountaindale Public Library, 10 am – 4 pm

Howl-O-Ween 5K, (dogs welcome!) Remington Lakes Sports Complex, 8:00 am

Freaky Fun Friday, Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Haunted Hangar, Bolingbrook’s Clow Airport, 10am –4:00pm

Silent Book Club, presented by Fountaindale Public Library. Arwa Yemini Coffee, 7:00 pm

Mall-o-Ween, The Promenade Bolingbrook

MEMBERSHIPS

November 2025

Puzzle Race & Board Game Day, Fountaindale Public Library, 1:00pm –4:00pm

WWII Military Genealogy Workshop, Fountaindale Public Library, 9:00am –3:00pm

Start-up Market (Craft Sale) Fountaindale Public Library, 1:00pm –2:30pm

December 2025

Holiday Cheer Charity Event (Open to the Public) Hosted by the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, 5:00 pm at Ashbury’s at Boughton Ridge

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt hosted by the Bolingbrook Park District, Winston Woods Park, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Village of Bolingbrook Tree Lighting Ceremony, Bolingbrook Town Cente

Parkie’s Reindeer Games, Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park, 9:00am –11:30am

Village of Bolingbrook Santa SendOff!

OPIOID ADDICTION

538 E. BOUGHTON ROAD, BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS 60440

Ph: 630-410-2351

Email: info@ndplace.com

Medicare Insurance, all insurances and cash accepted

MONDAY-FRIDAY 6AM-12PM SAT 8AM-12PM SUNDAY: CLOSED

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