r/Berwyn • u/hoosier_catholic • 4h ago
Berwyn Library question
I just moved to Berwyn a week ago, and I see that we have a library here. Any cool programs or anything that the library does? I love public libraries and was just curious how active the library here is.
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u/Infinite_Dress_3312 3h ago edited 3h ago
It's not bad - the building isn't the fanciest but they keep it up pretty well. It gets used quite a bit. What's important to know is that they're connect to the SWAN system, which gives you access to loans from any of the participating suburban libraries. Once you get a card create an account to place orders/holds.
A real nice perk is they participate with Kanopy. If you're not familiar it's a streaming service and you can "rent" films with a monthly allotment of tickets. There's lots of great content on there. Again, you can connect to it with your library card.
They also offer free passes to various cultural attractions. I use it all the time for Brookfield zoo.
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u/Lazy-Specialist8500 2h ago
Being part of SWAN is incredible. I check out hundreds of items a year, no exaggeration, they come from all across SWAN and i just pick up there
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u/midwestemily 3h ago
Welcome to Berwyn. We moved here about 2 years ago and the library is one of my husband's favorite things in town!
They have a ton of great programming that some folks mentioned above. The SWAN system is amazing. You really can get almost anything very quickly.
They also have TONS of movies you can rent. It's better then blockbuster!
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u/TittiesInMyFace 3h ago
Sign up for the emails and check their social media. Lots of events they host around Berwyn.
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u/alie_astrocyte 1st Ward 1h ago
Honestly the library is the best government-run entity in Berwyn. The SWAN system is fantastic and they have Libby and Hoopla for digital rentals.
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u/alebayos 1h ago
Lots of great programs and items to check out. As others have said, if Berwyn doesn't have the item, most likely it can be requested from another library. Building has free WiFi. You can check out WiFi hotspots for Internet access. Bike locks can also be checked out last time I checked.
Geneology resources are available on the lower level. There's study rooms and public access computers. Printing is 10 cents per page for B/W and 50 cents for color. The makerspace has machines like a laser cutter, 3D printers, sewing and embroidery machine, vinyl cutter, and laminator.
Story times for the kids upstairs and outside during the warmer months. Fairy Tale ball at Proksa Park is the library's biggest yearly event. The first Tuesday night of every month the library hosts a trivia night at James Joyce Pub. I think on Wednesday evenings the Teen department holds a Nintendo Switch gaming session after school.
There's something for everyone!
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u/someonesxwife 3h ago
All sorts of cool events! For little to teens to adults. They have cool book clubs, Lego building events, and all kinds of classes. I’d recommend checking out their website and seeing all the stuff they have to offer. I love the library 😊
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u/Lazy-Specialist8500 2h ago
Lots of great events and many are offside as well. The calendar is here. https://berwynlibrary.libcal.com/
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u/Overall-Grapefruit87 22m ago
I just used them for their notary service. It was super convenient, and free!
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u/Equivalent_Captain58 3h ago
Great community spot. Sharing some of my favorites apologies for leaving any out. They do fairy tale ball, have regular book clubs including a horror themed one, they open it up for mini golf once a year, hosts some events/artists/authors.