off the shelves
Fall 2013 Volume 28 Number 3
September
is National
Library Card
Sign-Up Month
You Could Win
an HP Pavilion
Notebook!
Prizes, a Treasure Hunt and
special treats are in store for
everyone in the community
as we celebrate this annual
event with libraries throughout nation. It’s a great time
to sign up for a Library card.
We are giving each new
Library card applicant a gift
and an entry in a prize drawing at the end of the month,
including a chance to win an
HP Pavilion Notebook! Also,
each child who checks out
a children’s book during the
month will get a treat at the
Circulation Desk.
Don’t miss our Treasure Hunt
on September 17! Stop in
any time during the day and
pick up instructions on how
to complete the Hunt, then
spotlight
explore the Library, learn
about our services and get
a chance at special prizes.
Even if you know the Library
well, we think you will learn
something new about what
we have available to you.
A Library card is your key to
the best bargain in town!
Library iPads Now Have
Blockbuster Movies
Our Circulation Desk staff will be
happy to help you sign up for a new
or renewed Library card! From left
are Debbie, Laurie, Debbie,
Ursula and Louise.
Treasure Hunt
Tuesday, September 17
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
In this issue...
The Library’s three iPads can now be loaded
with a variety of popular movies. They make
perfect entertainment for a long plane or
car trip! Any adult (18 years and older) La
Grange Park Library cardholder may check
out an iPad for one week. Please visit the
Reference Desk to browse our movie selection and sign up
for an iPad.
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3
4
5
Eleventh Commandment Concert
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Saturday, August 31, 7 p.m.
Local band Eleventh Commandment will perform a multimedia concert after hours. Join us for this rare performance!
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Children’s Programs
Teen Programs
Adult Programs
Film Group
What’s New
Computer/Tech Classes
Friends of the Library
News
Meet a Library User
Book Discussions
More News
Free Online Resources
children’s
programs
After-School Programs
Registration for all programs starts September 1. Sign up at
the Children’s Desk, on our website or call us at 708-352-0100.
Monday Kids Club
We had a great summer!
Our reading program was a
huge success, thanks in part
to the efforts of our wonderful teen volunteers and donations from the following area
businesses:
Classic Cinemas
Enchanted Castle
Fannie May of La Grange
Schaumburg Boomers Baseball
Special thanks to the La
Grange Park Friends of the
Library for donating all those
fantastic prize books.
Every Monday, 4 p.m.
The Club returns for kids in
grades K-3! Sign up for each
of these great weekly activities:
Crafty Kids
September 9, October 7,
November 4
Enjoy working with your
hands? We offer easy makeand-take crafts on a seasonal
theme.
Books and Brownies
September 16, October 14,
November 11
Feed your mind and your
stomach! Miss Margaret has
lots of new recipes, and she’s
eager to try them out with
you. Mix up something yummy, then read and discuss an
easy chapter book while your
creation bakes.
Mad Science Mondays
September 23, October 21,
and November 18
Miss Kerry has a degree in
Chemistry, and she’s not
afraid to use it! It might
get messy, so wear grubby
clothes.
Brick Builders
September 30, October 28,
and November 25
Our monthly Lego® club
returns for kids in grades
K and up. Use our Legos
to build whatever you can
imagine! We will collect your
creations for display until
next month, when we’ll do it
all over again.
Fall Story Times
Registration for our 10-week
session begins September
1. Stories begin the week of
September 9. Register one
time for the entire session.
Babies through kindergarteners are sure to have a great
time! Sign up at the Children’s Desk, on our website
or call us at 708-352-0100.
Preschool Story Time - Ages
3 - Kindergarten
Tuesdays 1:30 p.m., or Fridays
10:15 a.m.
We will sing songs, learn
new fingerplays and read
wonderful stories from our
collection. Caregivers wait
nearby in the Library while
the children attend.
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Toddler Time - Ages 2 to 3½
and their caregivers
Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. or 11
a.m.
Toddlers and their grown-ups
will enjoy fun stories from
our collection, and learn new
songs and fingerplays.
Baby Story Time - Babies
ages 3 - 23 months and their
caregivers
Tuesdays 10:15 a.m. or 11 a.m.
Your baby will enjoy rhymes,
games, very short books and
more. Programs last about
20 minutes. When registering, choose a time, but then
attend either session each
week, depending on when
baby is napping.
Family Story Time
Tuesdays 6:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family for
an evening of stories, songs
and activities for all ages,
followed by a simple makeand-take craft. Programs last
about an hour.
After-School
Adventures
Every Wednesday, 4 p.m.
These new after-school programs are just for children in
grades 4-6.
Flying Needles
Every 1st and 3rd
Wednesday: September 18,
October 2 & 16, November
6 & 20
We’re collaborating with
the Needle Arts Mentoring
Program to teach kids how
to knit! Needles, yarn and
instructions will be provided.
Experienced knitters are
welcome, too.
Talk It Up! Book
Discussion Group
Every 2nd Wednesday:
September 11, October 9,
November 13
Select a different book each
month, read and discuss
while you eat yummy snacks
and make new friends.
Duct Tape Unlimited
Every 4th Wednesday:
September 25, October 23,
November 27
Our new craft program for
grades 4-8 might be a little
risky! We’ll start with duct
tape, but end up... who
knows where?
Super Saturdays
First Saturday of every month
In this series of one-time-only programs, we’ll create an
autumn craft, meet live bats,
learn how to make magic
potions from a Hogwart’s
wizard, and have some very
messy fun. Details are available on our website.
teen programs
International Games
Day
Saturday, November 16,
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Six straight hours of table,
board and video games! Test
your skills with Sorry!, Telestrations*, Rock Band and
more. Snacks and pizzas will
be served. For all ages.
*What’s Telestrations, you ask?
Only the best table game ever! Take
Pictionary, mix it with Telephone,
and you get a hilarious game full of
stories and laughter.
Pixel Club
September 6, 20
October 4, 18
November 15, 29
Please note that Pixel Club
will not meet on November 1.
With three laptops, an XBOX
360, Wii U, PS3, 3DS and
iPad 2 there’s always something for everyone. Since this
club meets on alternate Fridays after the Library closes,
you must have a permission
slip to join.
10 to 1 Book Club
If you love to read, check out
this new multi-library book
club. You can discuss the
books in person or online.
Meetings will be held at Lyons Township High School,
La Grange Park Library, La
Grange Library, Thomas
Ford Memorial Library and
Brookfield Library. Dates and
times TBD. The list of titles
and meeting dates will be
available in the YA Department and online. Ask Sam
for details.
ACT Practice Test
Saturday, September 14, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 9, 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
A practice test is crucial to ward off test day jitters and see
how you may score on the real thing. Don’t be surprised!
Experience first-hand what ACT test day will be like. Kaplan
Test Prep will provide proctored ACT practice tests and will
return scores with analyzed results to students individually
via phone/email. Parent/guardian contact info is required
at check-in on test day. Please bring multiple #2 sharpened
pencils and an approved calculator. Snacks will be provided.
Limit 15 students.
Allegiant Party
Duct Tape Unlimited
Wednesday, September 25,
4 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23,
4 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 27,
4 - 5 p.m.
Ms. Kerry and Sam strike
again! Every fourth Wednesday, we’ll create, design, joke
and generally have fun. We’ll
start with duct tape crafts,
but who knows where we’ll
end up? For 4th - 8th grades.
Saturday, October 19,
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Okay, Divergent fans, it’s
time to rally for the release
of the third and final book
in the Divergent Trilogy
(release day
is October
22). Prepare
yourself for
games, raffles,
food and,
of course,
factions! For
grades 6-12.
Limit 30. A
permission slip is needed to
attend. Please stop by the
Reference Desk to pick one
up.
Don’t have time to stop by? Visit us online!
1. Library website – lplibrary.org/teens
2. Instant Messenger – Chat with a librarian at lplibrary.org
3. Facebook – Search for “La Grange Park Library Teen Department,” to keep up-to-date with the latest Young Adult
Department news
4. Twitter – For micro-updates related to all things YA –
twitter.com/lpplya
5. Goodreads – Join Sam on this site for people who love
reading – goodreads.com/lpplya
Go Back to School with Tutor.com
Free with your Library card
Stuck on a tough math problem? Need help with an essay?
We offer free online tutoring in math, science, English, social
studies and writing through Tutor.com, the award-winning
national online tutoring service. Help is available for students
in grades K - 12 from 3 - 10 p.m., seven days a week. Log in
through our website.
All Young Adult (YA) programs are
for grades 7-12, except where
noted. Please sign up online or
with Sam at the Reference Desk
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adult
programs
3D Movie:
The Great Gatsby
Saturday, September 21,
2 p.m.
The 3D effects are eye-popping, the surround sound is
cranked up and the popcorn
is fresh when we show movies on our giant screen! This
new adaptation of the classic
novel is as celebratory of the
art of moviemaking as it is
faithful to its source. Please
register to reserve your 3D
glasses. Limit 12.
Triton College
Presented by
Rolando Martinez,
College Relations Associate
Monday, September 23,
7 p.m.
Come learn about all that
Triton College can offer you.
Senior
Spotlight
What You Need to
Know About
Long Term Care
Presented by Pam Nila,
Certified Senior Advisor
Monday, September 16,
7 p.m.
Get invaluable information
about long term care, including its importance, service
options available, costs, how
to determine whether longterm care insurance is right
for you, and tools and guides
to help you set up a plan.
College Age Gaming
Night (Ages 18-25)
Saturday, October 5,
7 - 10 p.m.
Drop in for three hours of
Rock Band, Injustice: Gods
Among Us and Mario Party
at our gaming event just for
younger adults. Snacks will
be served. Trash talking will
not be prohibited!
Cookbook Club
Jerusalem
by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
In order to provide ample seating
and refreshments, we ask that
you register for our programs.
Visit lplibrary.org,
stop by, or give us a call at
708-352-0100 to register.
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Thursday, October 10, 6 p.m.
When we explore a cookbook, it’s potluck meets book discussion. Sign up at the Reference Desk, pick a recipe from
our enticing selection (we’ll keep track to
avoid duplicates), and prepare it for the
program. We’ll sample good food, talk
about what worked and what didn’t, and
select future cookbooks. This fall’s book
is chockablock with amazing traditional and contemporary Israeli and
Palestinian food. Register in person
by October 3.
A Closer Look at Your
Social Security Benefits
Presented by Trevin Doyle,
Prudential Insurance
Monday, October 14, 7 p.m.
Are you thinking of retiring?
This presentation will help
you understand the benefits
available to you from Social
Security and how to ensure
you receive them.
Medicare Information
Seminar
Presented by
William Scanlon, Access
Benefit Plan Consultants
Tuesday, October 15, 2 p.m.
Learn about the changes to
Medicare and how to pick
the right plan for you.
Old Time Radio and
the Great American
Songbook
Presented by
Steve Darnall, WDCB
Monday, November 4, 7 p.m.
Hear how radio helped to
give birth to the “Great
American Songbook” by
offering songs and singers a
unique opportunity to present their songs to a national
audience. You’ll hear some
of the greatest songwriters of
the 20th Century as they were
heard on radio. Sponsored by
the La Grange Park Friends
of the Library.
Find us on:
Facebook - facebook.com/lagrangeparklibrary
Twitter - twitter.com/lplibrary
Pinterest - pinterest.com/lplibrary
Goodreads - goodreads.com/
KateZ
Film Group
Fridays, 7 p.m.
Do you enjoy talking about
movies after the credits roll?
Join us for free screenings of
great independent, foreign
and documentary films on our
HUGE screen, followed by brief
discussions.
September 6 Amour (2012, dir. Michael Haneke; 127 min.)
Health issues affect an aging couple’s relationship in this harrowing, Academy Award-winning drama.
September 20 Room 237 (2012, dir. Rodney Ascher; 102
min.) Theories about Stanley Kubrick’s film The Shining –
some crackpot, some super-crackpot – are explored in this
entertaining documentary.
October 4 Mud (2012, dir Jeff Nichols; 131 min.) Two boys
go on an adventure in this exciting film from the writer-director of Film Group favorite, Take Shelter.
October 18 Stories We Tell (2012, dir. Sarah Polley; 109
min.) Family secrets, including ones about the director’s
parentage, are revealed in this fascinating, personal documentary.
November 1 Upstream Color (2013, dir. Shane Carruth; 96
min.) In this gorgeously photographed, fragmented science
fiction thriller, two people exposed to a parasite find their
lives becoming entwined.
November 15 I Killed My Mother (2009, dir. Xavier Dolan;
96 min.) This highly acclaimed drama, which concerns a
young gay man’s relationship with his mother, was released
when the writer-director-star (the creator of Film Group
favorite Heartbeats) was only 20 years old.
November 29 Pieta (2012, dir. Kim Ki-Duk; 104 min.) The
arrival of a stranger causes a loan enforcer to reevaluate his
life in this gritty thriller.
Tech Tutors
Kindle vs Nook, Windows 8 vs Mac, Instagram vs TwitPic. Fast-changing technology can be confusing. We can
help! One of our experts will give you up to 30 minutes
of individual attention to help
with your electronic issues.
Bring your device or use ours.
Limited slots available weekly.
Advance registration required.
Call 708-352-0100 or visit the
Reference Desk to arrange a
session.
Computer and Technology Classes
Five spaces are available for each of the following classes.
Registration required. Please visit the Reference Desk or
call 708-352-0100. Everyone is welcome, but priority will be
given to La Grange Park residents who have not previously
taken our computer classes.
Computer Basics
Thursdays, September 5 and 12, 6 p.m.
Tuesdays, September 10 and 17, 11 a.m.
This class introduces basic computer skills to those who may
not have used a Windows PC in several years, or ever. Learn
to wield a mouse and keyboard, some Windows basics, and
more. Each class includes two 90-minute sessions.
Email Essentials
Thursdays, September 26 and October 3, 6 p.m.
Tuesdays, October 1 and 8, 6 p.m.
Learn how to use email more effectively. We’ll teach you how
to send and organize mail, attach pictures to messages and
manage your contacts. Each class includes two 90-minute
sessions.
Introduction to Windows 8
Thursday, November 7, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, November 12, 11 a.m.
If you are one of the many unable to navigate Windows 8 despite being comfortable with previous versions, we’ll get you
going in the right direction. Learn to use the new start screen,
mouse gestures, hot corners and charms to get the most out
of this system.
What’s New!
Books
Hunting Eve by Iris Johansen
Oh Dear Silvia by Dawn French
The Dark Legacy of Shannara: Witch
Wraith by Terry Brooks
Bomb Shell by Catherine Coulter
Rapscallion by James McGee
Audio Books on CD
The Russian Donation by Christoph Spielberg
The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs
The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter
Secret Song by Catherine Coulter
The House that Jack Built by Ed McBain
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Our Library and The Arts
By Laurie Whitman, Library Trustee
When people think of libraries, the arts don’t normally come
to mind. Yet, many libraries, including ours, are important
contributors to the creative arts in our communities. In fact,
in one instance, our library went beyond the children’s programs that connect reading with artistic expression, or the
exhibits on our second floor to provide the initial audience
for a musical that has evolved into a world class production.
In 2004, La Grange Park Public Library held the inaugural
Nadine’s Festival of the Arts, funded by the family of Nadine
Kawalek, who grew up in La Grange Park and was an active
supporter of the arts when she died in 1998.
While searching for programming for Nadine’s Festival of the
Arts, the Library became acquainted with Carol Melynk, who
we asked to design the whimsical mural by the elevator in the
Children’s Department, where the bunnies are looking right
at you. Her husband, Bob, had come across a crate of CDs at
an antique store in Austria of women artists recorded in Chicago in the early Blues era, 1919-1920. His discovery spurred
him to write a screenplay about these women and their songs.
Carol suggested the play for the Festival. “A Blues Séance”
went on to productions at the Center of Performing Arts, The
Comedy Bar and will soon be at the Royal George Theater in
Chicago.
La Grange Park Library is proud to have been a part of
nurturing this production and involving our community in
Nadine’s Festival of the Arts, as well as continuing to support
our residents’ involvement in the variety of arts.
Lions Club Donation Helps Impaired Readers
The Library recently added 15 large print books and 18
audio books to our collection thanks to a donation from the
Brookfield-La Grange Park Lions Club. The Club has donated
materials for the sight and hearing impaired to the La Grange
Park and Brookfield Libraries for a number of years. Check
out what’s new thanks to the Lions!
October 20-26 is
National Friends
of the Library Week
Friends of the
library
Celebrate Friends of the
Library Week by stopping in our Bookshop! We have a
huge selection of books, movies, puzzles and more at low
prices. The Bookshop has been able to meet its goal, and we
donated $7,000 to the Library in the first six months of this
year for programs and equipment!
Gently-used books, recent issue magazines, DVDs and
CDs are accepted for donation. Arrangements can be
made to pick up materials if needed.
The Bookshop is an all volunteer organization. Without
the volunteers’ support, we would not be able to keep
our doors open. Their service is greatly appreciated.
Thank you volunteers!
Adult Summer Reading Program
Our Adult Summer Reading Program was a wonderful success! The 35 participants read 125 books during the six week
program. Four favorites emerged: Big Stone Gap and Rococo
by Adriana Trigiani, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa
Diffenbaugh and The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil
Gaiman. Watch the Adult Services page of our website for a
list of all the books read.
Visit the Friends’ BookShop In the Library
Donated books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and tapes are for sale at low prices!
Proceeds support library programs and special services.
Hours:
Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.
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Located on the first floor (directly behind the elevator).
For more information: 708-352-0100
Meet Marilyn Nicolai
How long have you been a patron of
the La Grange Park Library?
I have been coming to this Library for
16 years.
When you’re not at the Library, where
are we most likely to find you?
Probably at home or at Loyola Health
Club. I’ve been doing water aerobics
there for 12 years. I go three times a
week. I also spend a lot of time with my four grandchildren.
Do you have any book recommendations?
I usually read fiction. On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves
was very good. It’s in the new large print section. I like Jodi
Picoult and Kristin Hannah. I think I’ve read all of Andrew
Greeley’s books.
As for nonfiction, The River of Doubt, Theodore Roosevelt’s
Darkest Journey by Candice Millard was absolutely wonderful. It’s about Roosevelt’s journey through an unexplored part
of the Amazon River. Parts of the Amazon had been explored
and written about, but this was an uncharted area. It was
very, very interesting.
How has the Library enriched your life?
It has enriched my life in so many ways. It’s like part of my
life. You go to the Jewel to get your groceries. You go to the
Library to get your books. That’s how I would equate it.
Books alive
Book Discussion Group
Third Tuesday of each month,
2 p.m.
Our fall selections are set in Europe and the U.S. Books are
available one month before the meetings. All are welcome to
attend.
September 17 A Delicate Truth: A Novel by John le Carre
The acclaimed author describes his 23rd novel as his most
British and biographical. Once again, we are taken into the
world of counter-terrorism, only this time the spy-master is
gone – replaced by a socially-conscious whistle-blower.
October 15 The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New
America by George Packer
An insightful look into our modern economy. The New Yorker staffer chronicles three decades of upheaval in the lives of
several Americans: an Ohio factory worker, a Washington,
D.C., political insider, a North Carolina small businessman
and a Silicon Valley innovator. Shorter profiles include Newt
Gingrich, Oprah Winfrey and Jay-Z.
November 19 Traps by MacKenzie Bezos
Four strong women whose paths intersect over the course of
four days. What could possibly bring these very seemingly
different women together?
Neighbor news
At the La Grange Public Library:
You Can Brew It!
Monday, October 21, 7 p.m.
Do you enjoy good quality craft beer? Home brewing is a fun
and rewarding hobby that is enjoyed by
millions all over the world. Award-winning
home brewer Scott Pointon will discuss the
equipment, ingredients, brewing process
and resources available to would-be brew
masters. Registration required. (5 min/ 70
max)
For additional programming at local libraries, visit lagrangelibrary.org and fordlibrary.org.
We Mean Business!
The costs of running a business seem to rise every year. But
there is one cost that has not changed – free Library services.
We have great resources for local businesses – large, small
and home-based.
One of our best business resources is
our Reference Service. Contrary to
popular impression, not everything
can be found on the Internet, and
what is found there may not always
be accurate. Our Reference Librarians
can quickly and efficiently conduct
searches using the resources on our
website, as well as additional databases we subscribe to that give us
access to professional and educational journal articles.
For those who want to search for themselves, the Online Resources on our website (lplibrary.org/online-resources/) can be
accessed with a La Grange Park Library card from anywhere
with an internet connection. Or, get access without a card in
the Library through Wi-Fi or our computers.
Other business services include free notary public, photocopiers ($.10/page), and printers that can be accessed from
any computer using our online printing service (send your
document, then stop in the Library with your code to print).
And, of course, we have a variety of business journals, books
and other materials on our shelves.
The next time you need a sample business plan, business
training, market research or help with other business matters,
take advantage of our many services. We are happy to help
with your business needs!
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Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 612
La Grange, IL 60525
La Grange Park Friends of the Library
555 N. La Grange Road
La Grange Park, IL 60526-5644
Postal Customer
La Grange Park, IL 60526
Off the Shelves
is a quarterly publication of the
La Grange Park Public Library District
555 North La Grange Road
La Grange Park, IL 60526-5644
Library Hours
Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone 708-352-0100 • Fax 708-352-1606
Email: info@lplibrary.org • www.lplibrary.org
Library Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month
at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome.
Board of Library Trustees: Cathy Foster, President; Ann Lee, Vice
President; Laurie Whitman, Secretary; Sheryl Cox, Treasurer; Mary Lou
Hurley, Danielle Johnson and Rachel Weaver Rivera, Members.
Dixie Conkis, Executive Director
Joan Lux, President, La Grange Park Friends of the Library
Tari Marshall, Newsletter Editor
Andrea Barnish, Red Street Studio, Newsletter design
Bequests: Those who wish to help assure the continuation and growth of
our programs, collections and services by means and mention in your will
should contact the Executive Director for more information.
Disability Accommodation: If you or your child needs an accommodation
for a disability to attend any program, please phone the Library at least five
working days prior to the scheduled program.
Free Online Resources:
Opposing Viewpoints
We provide a variety of online databases and resources
through our website, which you can access with your La
Grange Park Library card anywhere with an internet connection. For more information or to browse these tools, visit
lplibrary.org/online-resources. Here is a new favorite:
Opposing Viewpoints presents more than 14,000 pro/con
essays on contemporary social issues. It’s a great way to find
information for your papers, debates or presentations.
Library Closings
Monday, September 2 - Labor Day
Thursday, November 28 - Thanksgiving