by Emily Glimco, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Aug. 2021
Rosa Biondo recalls going to her local library in Chicago as a child with her mother, who taught herself to read in English and wanted her children to be able to do the same. Now as a parent herself, Biondo has been finding joy in watching her son John, age 8, grow up with the Addison Public Library.
“He can just exist at the library. He can be loud. He can be himself,” she said. “He loves [being at the library]. It’s really exciting to see.”
Biondo and her son visit the library frequently. When her son was younger, he enjoyed going to story times and listening to audiobooks, especially on long car trips. As John has gotten older, he has explored more of the library’s collection and used the library’s computers, too.
“My favorite books are the zombie books and the Bad Kitty series,” he said. “But my real favorite is the video games.”
This year, the Biondo family participated in the library’s revamped Summer Reading program, in which participants received a tote bag with their selected book—which they got to keep—and other goodies that complemented the story. Biondo read The Sun is Also a Star; her son read Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen. To go along with his book, Biondo borrowed the movie Red Tails and discussed the history covered in both the film and the book.
Biondo does this a lot for her son, borrowing books and movies and enjoying them simultaneously to make the books come alive.
“We’ll read the book, then watch the movie and talk about which one was better and do some comparisons. My son is a busy kid with lots of questions, so having the book and movie together keeps him guided and focused,” said Biondo. “It doesn’t matter that we have Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+, we still check out movies from the library.”
Over the years, Biondo has gotten to know the library staff as they worked together to find items that fit reading themes she plans for her son.
“Say we’re doing a cooking theme and need help finding books and movies that work. I ask the staff, and they help me plan. There have been certain books or movies I haven’t been able to get from this library, but I could order them from a different library and they’re delivered here. I never knew that was an option,” said Biondo. “It’s amazing that you’re not limited to what’s in the building. You have access to other libraries too, and to me that is really, really nice.”
Borrowing books and movies from the library and through interlibrary loan is the main way the Biondo family uses the library, but they have come to the library to use the public computers as well.
“For a while, we didn’t have internet access at home, and for a good chunk of time we were without a PC after it stopped working. I was working an at-home business at the time, so I needed internet and a computer,” said Biondo. “I was able to get both at the library and supplement what I didn’t have at home at the time. We don’t need [library computers and internet] anymore, but if I ever need it again I know I can come here and I’ll have what I need.”
Having used the library in so many different ways, Biondo is no stranger to what the library has to offer, and makes a point to share her knowledge with the community members she meets.
“Addison has such a diverse population, and the library works hard to appeal to the community. I work at a local church, and we work with low income Hispanic population to find resources for them to learn how to speak English and become citizens, and they offer that [at the library],” said Biondo. “I love that the library has Spanish language material and Polish story times. It's like the library really embraces the community.”
Biondo encourages everyone to take advantage of the library and get their library card, even if they don’t have a child in school.
“There are so many different things that are available to you,” she said. “If you use [your library card], it’s a great benefit to have. It’s so worth it.”
Her son, John, agrees. When asked if other kids should come to the library to check it out, he answered without hesitation: “Yes!”
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Photo and interview took place on July 30, 2021.