Enjoy stories, poems with Gail Borden's 'PhoneReads'

In these days of social distancing, we could all use a friendly voice to soothe, inspire, encourage or just make you smile.

With the Gail Borden Library "PhoneReads" service, you can listen to short stories, essays and poetry - in both English and Spanish - read to you by staff, volunteers or community friends.

Just pick up your phone and dial (847) 608-4300 to hear something new each week.

Readers choose pieces to read that are original or from authors they enjoy and love, so each reading is like a small gift to our community. And the writings you hear will be as eclectic and diverse as our team!

Choose option 1 for a story or poem in English or option 2 for a story or poem in Spanish.

After the reader is done reading, Gail Borden library staff would like to get your feedback, so please press "0" to enter your response.

To learn more, visit www.gailborden.info or www.facebook.com/gailbordenpubliclibrary/.

People who have had books and movies on hold since before the stay-at-home directive will now be able to pick them up at the drive-up windows in the Gail Borden Public Library District. The drive-up windows at the Main Library at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin and the Rakow Branch at 2751 W. Bowes in Elgin will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 pm. for pickup. Customers who had books on hold before the library closed its doors to customers on March 14 will be receiving a phone call regarding those materials.