Besides Spanish language materials, the Gail Borden Public Library offers items available in many other languages. Click on the links below to see a list of the titles we carry in each language:
Chinese
French
German
Gujarati
Lao
Polish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Can't find it in your preferred language? Submit a Material Request Form!
Go Bilingual!
Learn and practice English or Spanish at your own pace on the computer. You will be able to use resources from the Library or the Internet with interactive lessons, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary exercises, and learning games.
The library carries periodicals in Gujarati.
Foreign language films are available on DVD and music CDs and Recorded Books are available in Spanish.
For more information our language collection policies please read the Library's Position on Language Collection Development.
If you do not see the reading materials that you are looking for, Gail Borden Library card holders are welcome to submit a Material Request Form and we will borrow books for you based on your language preference.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that allows Gail Borden Public Library customers to borrow materials from other libraries through their own library.
To request items not owned by the Gail Borden Public Library:
- Fill out a Materials Request Form or ask for assistance at any service desk.
- Submit forms in person, online, or via phone to the Information Desk, 847-429-4680.
- The library may purchase the item for the collection or borrow through Interlibrary Loan.
When Does GBPL Interlibrary Loan Materials?
- The library may request materials through ILL when we do not own the items, GBPL's copies are missing, or extra copies are needed for a book discussion group.
Who May Borrow Through Interlibrary Loan?
- Customers must be GBPL district residents or fee card holders, with GBPL library cards, to request materials.
What kinds of items can be requested?
- GBPL currently borrows books and audio-visual (AV) materials.
- AV materials may be borrowed only from other Illinois libraries.
How many items can be requested, and how long will it take to get them?
- Each customer may have five outstanding ILL requests at a time. Requests are considered outstanding if items are on order.
- Obtaining items may take approximately a week to a month.
- Occasionally, a lending library will charge to loan an item. In that case, the customer will first be notified and must agree to pay the borrowing fee before the request proceeds.
How is a customer notified when an ILL arrives?
- A customer will be notified by phone, email or text, depending on the method chosen when registering for a library card. Customer contact information must be accurate for the ILL request to proceed. New information should be submitted to staff at the Check Out Desk or online.
- If GBPL is unable to borrow an item, the customer will be notified.
Where Do I Pick Up my Materials?
- Pick up ILL items at the Main Library (Inside or via Drive-thru); Rakow Branch (Inside or via Drive-thru); South Elgin Branch or at a Bookmobile stop.
How long can an ILL item be kept?
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The loan period is determined by the lending library. A one-week
extension of the due date will be granted if the customer requests it on or before the due date. -
For a one week extension, you must contact the Check Out Desk
at (847)429-4690. - For extensions beyond one week, contact ILL staff at (847)429-4682.
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Customers must always request due date extensions or renewals
from GBPL, not from the libraries that sent GBPL the items.
Where are ILL items returned? Can they be returned directly to the libraries that loaned them to GBPL?
- Return ILL materials to the GBPL check-out desk, in the library bookdrops, or remote bookdrops.
- ILL materials should not be returned to the libraries that loaned them to GBPL.
What is reciprocal borrowing and how is it different from ILL?
- When a GBPL card holder goes to another library and uses his or her GBPL card to check out books, this is called reciprocal borrowing. As a courtesy, you may return those books to us. Allow sufficient time for items to be returned to the other library before they are due.
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Studying on your own or already taking an English class? Learn, improve and practice your English-language skills with the resources in this section. Find resources with progressive lessons under General Lessons. That means you can follow lessons building up from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels. These may be especially helpful if you are learning on your own and some of them allow you to track your progress. Focus on individual skills you want to increase your knowledge of, improve or review: Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening and Reading and Writing. The resources in each category may include lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these. Play Learning Games to exercise your brain and have some fun with the language. If you are following the progressive lessons, you may want play the games for a nice break. General Lessons These sites have lessons you can follow progressively, building up from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels. These may be especially helpful if you are learning on your own and some of them allow you to track your progress. USA LearnsAvailable in Spanish and English, registration required. Pumarosa Grammar These sites have lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these to help you learn grammar. Mansión del Inglés Jennifer’s ESL Channel A4esl Vocabulary These sites have lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these to help you learn vocabulary. Mansión del Inglés Manythings.org Word Reference Internet Picture Dictionary Pronunciation These sites have lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these to help improve your pronunciation. English Club Jennifer’s ESL Channel Listening These sites have lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these to help improve your listening skills. Audiobook Cloud Mansión del Inglés English Club Elllo LOTE Online for Kids Reading and Writing These sites have lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these to help improve your reading and writing skills. Learning Express Tumble Books Manythings.org News for You Voice of America LOTE Online for Kids Learning Games These sites have learning games to exercise your brain and have fun with the language. Please note: All of the resources you reach when you click on a link in this section are free. In some cases, the website may charge a fee for additional services, such as for more advanced lessons, for purchasing or downloading materials and/or for tutoring. You will not be charged unless you provide a form of payment, like a credit card number. Also, some of the websites may require that you register which will be noted with the phrase “registration required” in the resource’s description. In most cases you will only need to provide a name and create a password to do so. Finally, there are some library databases among the resources. You will need to type in your library card number to access them. |
Lecciones Generales
Estos sitios contienen lecciones que puedes seguir de forma progresiva, avanzando de nivel principiante a avanzado. Pueden ser especialmente útiles si estás aprendiendo por cuenta propia y algunos te permiten llevar cuenta de tu progreso.
- USA Learns: Aprende inglés con instrucciones en inglés o en español.
Gramática
Estos sitios contienen lecciones, pruebas, actividades, juegos y/o una combinación de éstos.
- Mansión del Inglés: Repasa los nombres, artículos, adverbios, verbos y más y luego comprueba lo que aprendiste con exámenes y ejercicios prácticos. Practica la gramática de forma divertida con los cuentos del Detective Rick.
- Jennifer’s ESL Channel: Mira y escucha videos para principiantes sobre la conjugación de los verbos. Mira y escucha videos para estudiantes de nivel intermedio y avanzado sobre los condicionales, las preposiciones, los verbos y más.
- A4esl: Pon tu gramática a prueba con más exámenes.
Vocabulario
Estos sitios contienen lecciones, pruebas, actividades, juegos y/o una combinación de éstos para ayudarte a aprender vocabulario.
- Mansión del Inglés: Repasa palabras agrupadas por temas y escucha su pronunciación en inglés.
- Jennifer’s ESL Channel: Mira y escucha videos que te presentan palabras y expresiones que tienen que ver con los colores, la cocina, el amor, los días feriados y más.
- English Club: Repasa listas de adverbios, adjetivos, antónimos y más. Aprende expresiones idiomáticas en inglés y toma pruebas para repasar lo aprendido. Aprende jerga americana y toma pruebas para repasar lo aprendido.
Pronunciación
Estos sitios contienen lecciones, pruebas, actividades, juegos y/o una combinación de éstos para ayudarte a mejorar tu pronunciación.
- English Club: Consejos para mejorar la pronunciación, ejercicios y un glosario.
- Jennifer’s ESL Channel: Mira y escucha videos con lecciones de pronunciación.
Escuchar
Estos sitios contienen lecciones, pruebas, actividades, juegos y/o una combinación de éstos para ayudarte a mejorar tu habilidad para escuchar y comprender el inglés.
- AudioBookCloud: Una colección de audiolibros de la biblioteca que se pueden escuchar al narrador leyéndolos en inglés.
- Mansión del Inglés: Escucha diálogos para niveles principiantes, intermedios y avanzados y luego contesta las preguntas de comprensión.
- English Club: Escucha noticias, programas de radio, poesías y más.
- Elllo: Escucha conversaciones, cuentos y reportajes de noticias con un enfoque multicultural.
Leer
Estos sitios contienen lecciones, pruebas, actividades, juegos y/o una combinación de éstos para ayudarte a mejorar tu habilidad para leer en inglés.
- Tumble Books: Esta colección de libros digitales de la biblioteca incluye los "Read Alongs": libros en audio que se pueden leer mientras se escucha al narrador leyéndolos en inglés.
- Manythings.org: Lee cuentos interesantes sobre una variedad de temas mientras escuchas la narración.
- News for You: Requiere inscripción. Lee y escucha reportajes de noticias de todo el mundo.
- Voice of America: Lee y escucha más reportajes de noticias de todo el mundo.
Juegos para Aprender
Estos sitios contienen juegos para que ejercites la mente y te diviertas con el inglés.
- Lexulous (como Scrabble)
- WordTwist (como Boggle)
- Hangman
- Crosswords
- Picture/Word Match
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Studying on your own or already taking a Spanish class? Learn, improve and practice your Spanish-language skills with the resources in this section. Find resources with progressive lessons under General Lessons. That means you can follow lessons building up from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels. These may be especially helpful if you are learning on your own and some of them allow you to track your progress. Focus on individual skills you want to increase your knowledge of, improve or review: Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening and Reading and Writing. The resources in each category may include lessons, quizzes, activities, games and/or a combination of all of these. Play Learning Games to exercise your brain and have some fun with the language. If you are following the progressive lessons, you may want play the games for a nice break. General Lessons These sites have lessons you can follow from one lesson to another in an orderly manner, building up from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels. These may be especially helpful if you are learning on your own and some of them allow you to track your progress. Grammar
Study Spanish: Spanish Grammar
Study Spanish: Spanish Verbs
123 Teach Me Vocabulary
Study Spanish
Quiz-Tree
World Reference
Span¡shD!ct
Internet Picture Dictionary: Spanish Pronunciation
Study Spanish: Pronunciation
Lawless Spanish Conversation
123 Teach Me: Conversational Spanish Games
123 Teach Me: Games Please note: All of the resources you reach when you click on a link in this section are free. In some cases, the website may charge a fee for additional services, such as for more advanced lessons, for purchasing or downloading materials and/or for tutoring. You will not be charged unless you provide a form of payment, like a credit card number. Also, some of the websites may require that you register which will be noted with the phrase “registration required” in the resource’s description. In most cases you will only need to provide a name and create a password to do so. Finally, there are some library databases among the resources. You will need to type in your library card number to access them. |
What is a Media Dispenser?
A Media Dispenser is a DVD, Blu-ray Disc, & video game dispensing unit that allows you to check out DVDs, Blu-rays and video games using your Gail Borden Public Library card.
Where are the Media Dispensers?
There are two Mediabank units at the Main Library at 270 N Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 in the Marketplace. They are available when the library is open.
You will also find a Mediabank on the exterior of the Rakow Branch at 2751 W. Bowes Rd., Elgin, IL 60124. This Mediabank machine is available 24/7, even when the branch is closed.
How much does it cost to checkout a movie or game?There is no charge to check out a movie or game. You do need to have a valid Gail Borden Library card.
How do I search for a movie or game that I want to checkout?
There are two ways to find titles you’d like to checkout from the Mediabank. You can connect from any computer with internet access to:
mmm.gailborden.info to search the Mediabank dispensers at the Main Library.
media.gailborden.info to search the Mediabank dispenser at the Rakow Branch.
The Mediabank search screens allow you to pre-enter entering your library card number and PIN or select the "browse" option if you truly are "just browsing". To place a Mediabank hold, you will need to enter your GBPLD library card number and PIN. Then, you will have five (5) hours to retrieve your movie or video game before the hold expires. You will need the library card used to place the hold in order to retrieve the disc.
The Rakow Branch Mediabank also offers the option of using one of two search screens on the left and right side of the Mediabank kiosk on the outside of the Rakow Branch building.
How many movies and games can I checkout?
You may check out a total of five media dispenser discs.
How long can I keep the movies/game?
Movies are loaned for 5 days.
Video games are loaned for 7 days.
Where do I return the discs?
Discs checked out from any of the media dispensers must be returned to the media dispenser location from which they were checked out.
DVDs, Blu-ray discs and video games in the red cases checked out from the Main Library must be returned to the Mediabank at the Main Library.
DVDs, Blu-ray discs and video games in the black cases checked out from the Rakow Branch Mediabank must be returned to the Mediabank at the Rakow Branch Library. You will need a library card to return your discs to the machine.
A fine may be added to your account if media dispenser discs are not returned to the machine.
The machine took my disc, but gave an error message and did not recognize the movie I returned. What should I do?
Occasionally, the machine may have trouble reading the barcode of a movie. The machine will deposit these movies into a box in the back of the machine. Staff will check this box and manually check in these movies during normal business hours.
I don’t have my wife/husband's card.
How can I return the movie or game?
You can return a disc with any library card. Simply choose the “RETURN” button when prompted on the center screen.
What do I do if the disc is damaged?
At the Main Library, you may return it to the Customer Service Desk.
At the Rakow Branch, you may return it to the customer service desk inside the Rakow branch during regular business hours.
What should I do if the machine is out of service?
At the Main Library, you may return your disc to the Customer Service desk.
At the Rakow Branch, you may return it to the customer service desk inside the Rakow Branch, or at the drive-up book return slot.
Who can I contact if I have other questions?
Please call the Main Library's Customer Service desk at 847-429-4690 or contact the Rakow Branch customer service desk at 847-531-7271.
The Gail Borden Public Library has a wide selection magnifiers and other assistive reading equipment available for check-out. See the Customer Relations Desk for more information and check-out assistance.
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News Reader with Handigrip |
Ruby Handheld Video Magnifier |
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Fresnel Magnifier with Handle |
2X Giant Size Foldable Magnifier |
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High-Intensity Magnifier Lamp with Add-On Lens |
Halogen Illuminated Magnifier |
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4X Clear Magnifier (ball type) with Bright Halogen Lamp |
LumiLoupe Ultra LED Magnifier |
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A light-weight portable desk and reading support.. |
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Why Gail Borden Library Has a Spanish Collection
Mission
Gail Borden Library serves all who live in the library district. Our mission is to serve the district residents in the pursuit of educational, informational, recreational and professional needs by providing a wide range of materials and services. Included in our service population is a significant number of Spanish speakers. To serve them, we must be able to communicate with them, to listen and to respond. We do not have a position on immigration issues.
History
Historically, the leadership of Gail Borden Library has strived to provide library services to people in the community who speak and/or read languages other than English. This is true of all large libraries in metropolitan Chicago. In fact, we are not aware of any public library in the area that doesn’t include materials in other languages.
In the 1970’s, our Laotian collection grew due to an influx of Laotian immigrants into the community. Much earlier in library history, in the 1890’s, the majority of the foreign language collection was in the German language for the same reason. Presently, the library offers materials in ten foreign languages, including French, German, Polish, Urdu and Italian, reflecting the diverse population groups represented in the community.
Literary Works in Other Languages
Many important literary works are written in languages other than English. Some of the world’s finest works were written in the author’s original language, including those by Neruda, Balzac, Milosz and Cervantes. While translations of works are valuable for many reasons, the ability to read works in the original language is important -- a translation is never a perfect replica of the original.
It is also important to note that there is a strong correlation between literacy in one language and literacy in a second language. Having books in one’s native language allows one to continue reading and thereby improve literacy skills. Having works on health, parenting and home repair in one’s native language makes learning new concepts easier.
Supporting English Education
We believe that learning English is important for those living in this country. The library actively supports English education through several avenues. Programs are presented in English and Spanish to offer learning opportunities. Our collections include audiotapes designed for Spanish speakers who are learning English, bilingual texts and English/other language dictionaries. One of our community partners, The Literacy Connection, has offices in the library. Thousands of people have learned to read English through their tutoring programs.
Gail Borden Library is proud to be a community resource that serves and welcomes all and to be known as the place where people of all backgrounds come together.
If you have any questions, we encourage you to call the Division Chief of Public Relations & Development, Gail Borden Public Library, at 847-429-5981.
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World Language Collection Besides Spanish language materials, the Gail Borden Public Library offers items available in many other languages. Click on the links below to see a list of the titles we carry in each language:
Additionally, the library carries periodicals in Gujarati. Foreign language films are available on DVD and music CDs and Recorded Books are available in Spanish. The library also offers a collection of literacy and ESL materials. For more information our language collection policies please read the Library's Position on Language Collection Development If you do not see the reading materials that you are looking for, Gail Borden Library card holders are welcome to submit a Material Request Form and we will borrow books for you based on your language preference. |
Rapid delivery of library materials.
LINKin Libraries is a resource-sharing partnership between the Gail Borden Public Library District and other area libraries including: Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Aurora Public Library, Cook Memorial Library, Deerfield Public Library, Elmhurst Public Library, Naperville Public Library, Poplar Creek Public Library, Skokie Public Library, Waukegan Public Library and Wheaton Public Library.
This service offers convenient access to the collections of the partner libraries when materials are not available at Gail Borden Public Library. Patrons are able to request materials from our LINKin partners via a click-thru from our online catalog or with staff assistance. Materials requested from LINKin libraries can be expected to arrive within 1 week on average, and patrons will be notified by phone or email when the item is ready for pickup.
Gail Borden Public Library cardholders can use LINKin to request items that are checked out or not owned by Gail Borden Public Library. However, new materials CANNOT be borrowed through the LINKin service.
How does LINKin work?
- Search the Gail Borden Public Library catalog to see if the item is available for checkout.
- If the item is not available, click on the Search other resources link then select Search Partner Libraries to pass your search on to the LINKin catalog.
- If a partner library has the item, the LINKin catalog will display a catalog record for the item, the number of libraries that own it, and a Request this Item link.
- Click on the Request this Item link.
- If the item is available for checkout, the catalog will request the name of the library with which you are affiliated. Select Gail Borden from the drop-down menu and then click the Submit above information button.
- Next, type your name and Gail Borden Public Library card barcode number in the spaces provided. Click the SUBMIT button.
- If your request is successful, the catalog will display "your request was successful" and the transaction is complete. Gail Borden Public Library will notify you when the item is ready for pickup.
- If the item is not available for borrowing from one of the LINKin partner libraries, the catalog will display an explanation.
For example:
No copies are available at this time. Please check with your local library.
You cannot use LINKin to request items that are available at your institution.
Please contact the Information desk at 847-429-4680 for assistance with incomplete transactions or general questions about the LINKin service.