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Masks are optional, but recommended, at the Barrington Area Library. The Library will continue to prioritize safety precautions during programs, including reduced capacity and physical distancing.

The Library is open all regular hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 1 to 5 PM


Meeting Room and Zimmerman Room now available to BALibrary cardholders - full and reduced capacities available

Reservations must be placed by a BALibrary cardholder. A variety of room capacities and set-ups are available, based on your group's safety preferences. Masks are optional, but recommended. Ready to place a reservation or check for available dates? Click here or use the "book a room" link at balibrary.org


Study Rooms, Business Cubicles, and First Floor Conference Room open to full capacity
Please note:

  • BALibrary cardholders may reserve a room for a session from 15 to 120 minutes. Customers may make one reservation per day, with one renewal (for up to 120 minutes) if the room has not been requested by another customer.
  • Reciprocal borrowers (who have registered another library card with BALibrary) may use a study room for one hour on a walk-in basis, and may renew the room for a second one hour time slot if it has not been reserved by a BALibrary cardholder.
  • Rooms are cleaned on a regular basis, and new air filtration devices are in use.
  • Book online now.


Pick-Up and Delivery options:

BALibrary cardholders may:


Computers and Technology:
Customers may use:

      • Laptops available for checkout at the Business and Tech Center desk;
      • Wi-Fi;
      • Simple Scan stations;
      • Remote and in-house printing;
      • Library Catalog/15 Minute Express Internet stations;
      • Business & Tech center computers: customers may reserve in advance, walk-ins and guest passes also available;
      • Some Youth Services computers;
      • The MakerLab is open again to BALibrary customer appointments. Book yours by emailing digitalservices@balibrary.org
        Submit 3-D print jobs and complete laser-cutting projects
        to our Digital Services team.
      • Studio One and Studio Kids are now available. Details.

Visit the computers/Internet and MakerLab pages for more details.


In order to provide the safest experience possible, some Library services and facilities will not be available during this phase. These include:

        • Some Youth Services play areas and interactives - visit us in person to see which interactives are now available.
          Visit our online Events Calendar and Youth Services blog for take-home activity kits and virtual programs. We are now offering in-person programs as well.
        • Youth Services iPads.

 


Vicki Rakowski, new Executive Director of the Barrington Area Library
Vicki Rakowski, current Head of Operations for the Barrington Area Library, will step into a new role as the Library’s Executive Director on February 13. She will replace Jesse Henning, who has served as Executive Director since April 2018. Henning is leaving the Library and heading to Denmark to pursue an exciting opportunity for his family.

“We are very pleased to name Ms. Rakowski as our new Executive Director,” said Library Board of Trustees President Don Minner. “With her knowledge and experience, we expect that she will step into the role seamlessly while providing the leadership to ensure that our talented and dedicated staff continue to meet the varied needs of our patrons and community.”


Rakowski has been in the library profession for 13 years, receiving a Masters in Library and Information Science from Dominican University in 2010. She began her career in Youth Services, then moved into a series of management positions, joining the Barrington Area Library team in January 2017. As Head of Operations in Barrington, she has overseen the Customer Service, Material Services, and Building Services departments, and served as Interim Director from October 2017 – April 2018. She also has an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University.

“I am truly honored to be the next director of the Barrington Area Library. I look forward to leading our staff through the difficult times we face at present, as well as the challenges and opportunities in our future. The four years I have spent in this organization have shown me time and again that this is a special library in a special community. I am proud to continue my work here in this new role.”

Rakowski is an avid reader and gardener. She is a lifelong resident of the Chicago area, and currently resides with her husband in Oak Park.

The Library and its Board of Trustees extend their sincere gratitude to Henning for his leadership and service, which included significant achievements such as the elimination of overdue fines, the completion of critical maintenance projects for the building and campus, and the introduction of updated library policies to expand access to more area residents.

Board President Minner stated, “While saddened that Director Henning is leaving us, we extend our best wishes for success in his next endeavor and thank him for his many accomplishments, guidance to our staff, and efforts for our district.”

"It has been an honor serving this community,” said Henning. “From my first day on the job, I have been awed and amazed by the level of civic and social engagement among Barrington area residents and how this library plays an important role in supporting that community spirit. I am proud to have worked with a staff so fiercely dedicated to providing efficient, effective, and transformative library service. The Barrington Area Library is truly a special place and I am glad to have played a part in writing its story."

 

The Barrington Area Library is pleased to release its Annual Report for the fiscal year 2019-2020.

Read the report online to learn how the Library makes space - physically and virtually - to connect district residents with learning opportunities, fun and enriching community events, myriad local non-profit and volunteer organizations, and perhaps most importantly, with each other.

The Youth Services staff have picked their favorite books published in 2020 for ages 0-13. We hope you and your family find some new favorites here, too!



Update: as of Monday, March 1, 2021, the Library building is once again open to the public. Get complete details.




The Barrington Area Library building is temporarily closed to the public, but many Library services remain available!

Why is the Library building closed?

In November of 2020, another surge of COVID-19 cases arose in Cook and Lake counties and we wanted to do our part to reduce the spread of the virus. We care deeply about the health and safety of the communities we serve, especially seniors, people with underlying conditions, and others who are at greater risk. We are also committed to providing the safest possible work environment for Library staff.

Which Library services are available during the closure?

  • Parking Lot Pick-Up, Borrow By Mail, and delivery to our remote locker locations (if they remain open) are available to Barrington Area Library cardholders.

    Please note that Parking Lot Pick-Up is available during the following hours:

    Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM
    Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM
    Sunday, 1 – 5 PM

How can I stay informed about the Library’s hours and services?

We will keep you informed via our website (balibrary.org), social media channels (Facebook and Twitter), and e-mail newsletters. Our response to this situation will continue to evolve, so please stay in touch.

We encourage you to use our phone and chat services for the fastest response to your questions – see hours above. You may also use the Contact Us email form on our website – we’ll respond to your messages as quickly as possible.