Going back to school is easier than ever when you have a Fountaindale Library card! Now is the perfect time to discover all of the life hacks your library has to offer for students of all ages. Whether you’re looking for homework help, a new book, exciting technology, study rooms or computers, we have you covered.

Don’t Sleep on Your Student Success Card

Back-to-School Hacks 2024Every year, we issue Student Success library cards to all Valley View students through our partnership with Valley View Community Unit School District 365U, in conjunction with White Oak Library District. Student Success library cards provide the same access to materials and services as a regular Fountaindale Public Library card. Students can check out materials in our building, at Bookmobile stops and at any other Pinnacle libraries in Joliet, Shorewood, Lemont, Plainfield, Crest Hill, Lockport and Romeoville. Your Student Success card is still valid this upcoming school year, so please use it!

Have a new student joining Valley View this year? They will receive their Student Success card this fall.

Discover our eResources

We have a variety of eResources to help students from PreK through graduation. Whether you’re looking for online tutoring, sources for a research paper or videos on topics you’re learning in school, our tools will keep students engaged and learning.

View eResources for kids!   View eResources for teens!

Get Coding with Fiero Code

Back-to-School Hacks 2024

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to code, create your own video game or build a website, now you can with our newest eResource, Fiero Code. With Fiero Code, people ages 8 and older can learn to code in over 13 different coding languages, including JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS and more!

Start coding now!

Rock Your Reading this Fall

Going back to school means getting back into good routines: daily reading being one of them. We love to reward students for reading, so we have three established programs to get kids of all ages excited about reading!

  • 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: Experts recommend children hear at least 1,000 stories before they learn to read. Families who read aloud to their children strengthen their language skills and build their vocabulary. (Birth–Age 5; year-round)
  • NEW! Reading Dragons & Friends: Starting November 1, you can embark on a fun, new reading adventure as you take flight with Reading Dragons & Friends! Earn unique trading cards and battle your friends. The more you read, the more cards you earn. Stay tuned for more details. (Grades K–5; year-round)
  • Read-a-Palooza: Bolingbrook elementary school students, play Read-a-Palooza bingo to help your school win cool books. You will even get a prize, certificate and entry into a grand prize drawing for participating. (Grades K–5; October 1–31)
  • Great Reading Race: Bolingbrook middle school students, join our fall reading adventure where you can win books and cool prizes for your school and yourself! (Grades 6–8; September 23–October 28)

Visit the Vortex

Back-to-School Hacks 2024The Vortex is our unique space specifically designed for teens in grades 6–12 to read, study or hang out with friends. Teens can play board games and video games, use the computers or reserve a study room with a library card or school ID. You can also use our maker cart and kits to create blackout poetry, duct tape wallets or beaded bracelets.

Learn more about the Vortex!

Outside the Vortex, you can browse our specialty Test Prep collection, which brings together the most up-to-date study guides needed for school exams all in one place. We own over 100 test prep books to help prepare you for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE and PSAT. We also have guides on various AP courses, including biology, chemistry, computer science, English, European history, U.S. history, Spanish and U.S. government. Stop by to check out this amazing collection for yourself.

Get Ahead at Home

Back-to-School Hacks 2024Our Home Learning collection is located in the back of the Children’s Services Department (by the STEAMboxes) and is full of new materials. We revitalized and modernized the collection with parents and students in mind. This collection contains workbooks, activity books, homeschool resources, parent resources and flashcards on a number of different subject matters.

Explore our Home Learning Collection!

Teacher Library Cards

Teachers, did you know you can get a library card, too? Any public or private school or preschool that resides within the Fountaindale Public Library District can designate a primary contact for their institutional library account. School principals or LMC directors need to provide a teacher listing to issue library cards to teachers. Borrowing privileges are good for one year, September 1–August 31.

Learn more about teacher library cards and services!