The following information was submitted by Christina Tropea, online resources librarian at the Des Plaines Public Library. Iconic, renowned, award-winning, highest quality – these are some of the words and phrases used to describe National Geographic magazine, the official journal of the National Geographic Society. The magazine is famous for its superb coverage of different cultures, the environment, travel and nature — all with the goal of teaching people to love their planet. At the library we often get calls from people who want to donate their beloved old copies of the magazine. They no …

The following information was submitted by Joanne Griffin, reference librarian at the Des Plaines Public Library. Years ago, while paying for a pair of new eyeglasses, I discovered that my AAA membership gave me a discount at that eyeglass retailer. The lesson learned? Not all membership benefits are the obvious ones. This is true with your Des Plaines Public Library card, too. Using your library card to borrow the latest book, DVD or magazine is just the beginning of your membership benefits. Earlier: Networking and math add to Maine West student, Pokémon world champ’s success. Your Des …

The following information was provided by the Des Plaines Public Library. Teens, in seventh through 12th grade, are invited to watch the Hollywood hit, The Hunger Games (2012), at the library, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Patrons may register for free on the library’s website. Earlier: Best audiobooks read by authors. The Des Plaines Public Library and Des Plaines Patch are on Facebook. Like that! Click to receive an email from Patch with headlines.

This week’s column was submitted by Lynne Rubio, readers’ services supervisor at the Des Plaines Public Library. With all the stress and responsibilities of adulthood, it can be easy to lose track of the slower, sweeter rhythms of life. That is where nostalgia comes in. Nostalgia, defined in Merriam-Webster as “a sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations,” helps us to remember to slow down and enjoy the moment we are in.  Right about now, in the days before the new school year begins I crave the special summer rituals of my childhood. …

This week’s column was submitted by David Whittingham of the Des Plaines Public Library. My favorite audiobooks, the ones I recommend most often to others, were author-narrated, even the not-so-happy ones. I recently listened to the audiobook Townie by Andre Dubus III, which I downloaded from MyMediaMall, the library's downloadable lending site. I was not expecting it to be good. I checked it out because I was waiting for another title to become available. Andre Dubus III is the author of House of Sand and Fog, which received a lot of acclaim. He is also the son of respected author Andre …

This week’s column was submitted by Bob Blanchard, reference librarian at the Des Plaines Public Library. Now, I’m not a doctor – and I don’t play one on television – but I know that a good laugh does wonders for a person. Laughter is the best medicine. And if you’re looking for the right medicine, there’s no better place than the Des Plaines Public Library to get your prescription filled. For years, I’ve been an avowed Marxist… of the Groucho kind. His legendary wit is even quoted in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, a reference desk staple that includes sayings from all the way back to 2600 B…

This week’s column was submitted by Joel Sawyer of Readers’ Services at the Des Plaines Public Library. This has been the summer of road trips; therefore, this has been the summer of audiobooks as well. Excited vacationers have been looking for audiobooks to add adventure to their journeys. Patrons are not looking for the hottest new audiobook titles, which are likely already checked out, they are looking for a very solid book that is currently on the shelf to while away the hours spent amidst endless mile markers and, quite possibly, multiple state lines. A stroll through our audiobook …

This week’s column was submitted by Marianne Orme, reference librarian, at the Des Plaines Public Library. High school students, does the prospect of planning for college scare you and threaten to spoil the summer season? Given the high cost of education, planning is more important than ever. Both students and parents can replace fear with information and tools for learning through the library. Des Plaines Public Library is adding three programs presented by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions to accompany its typically available resources. Click to receive an email from Patch with headlines. We …

This week’s column was submitted by Cathy Friedman of Reference Services at the Des Plaines Public Library. It’s summer and the parks are busy, the pools are full and the library is hopping too. Of course, it is a great place to escape the heat, but this past Sunday there were people waiting in line, grocery style, for the adult reference staff. The Adult Reference Desk is your resource for requests as simple as how can I get a driver’s license to how do I make an upside down tart called a Tarte Tatin? Click to receive an email from Patch with headlines. We won’t spam you. Given that the …

This week’s column was submitted by Laura Adler of the Readers’ Services Department at the Des Plaines Public Library. As I approached the record store owner, album tucked under my arm, I hoped her son, who was my age, wasn’t hovering in the vicinity. I was 13 years old and embarrassed to be caught purchasing a children’s album. It was Really Rosie, a Carole King album, and King was my favorite singer at the time. And frankly, I loved the songs, which I’d heard on a TV special just a few nights before, and which were based on some of my favorite childhood books. Stay connected: Receive an …

This week’s column was submitted by Lynne Rubio of the Readers’ Services Department at the Des Plaines Public Library. What comforting little habits create a really good read for you? Like buffalo wings and a 50-inch plasma TV can rev up a ball game, or candles and salts can enhance a bath, so too can the right setting transform a simple read into one of life's sweetest pleasures. In a staff meeting or online, or just across the cubicle divide, wherever and whenever two or more of my colleagues gather, the chief topic of conversation is our latest good read. In my opinion, a candlelit bath is…

This week’s column was submitted by Gwen LaCosse of the Des Plaines Public Library. For all of the garbage on the Internet, there’s a lot of good consumer health information. That’s what I’ve been telling our patrons for years, and it’s still true. For instance, did you know? The Des Plaines Public Library subscribes to several electronic databases of a medical nature, and lists many health-related sites that are free to search. There’s a website from the State of Illinois where you can check if any disciplinary action was taken against your medical doctors. The website of an association …

This week’s column was submitted by Jacqueline Dennison, readers services, at the Des Plaines Public Library. Summer reading is for adults, too! Starting on June 25 we will accept entries for a raffle to win a Kindle Touch. In addition to all the summer programs for kids and teens, Des Plaines Public Library invites you to sample reading material from our vast menu in the Adult Summer Reading Club. All you need to do is read a book, fill out a ticket with your information, which book you read, and that’s a chance to win the Kindle Touch. For every book you read, you can enter for a chance to …

This week’s column was submitted by Joanie Sebastian, teen services librarian at the Des Plaines Public Library. Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to discover how refreshing a good book can be by joining our Teen Summer Reading Club. Visit us on the third floor to register and pick up a reading log. Teens that read four books or twenty hours from June 9 to Aug. 31 will be awarded a $5 Starbucks gift card. Earlier: Local business experts are welcome to share information with the community on Patch for free. Finishers will also be entered in raffle to win a Kindle touch device. Teens who love to…

This week’s column was submitted by Steven Giese of the Des Plaines Public Library. The Des Plaines Public Library and the Des Plaines History Center have launched a new local history website, Des Plaines Memory. The site combines photographs, letters, postcards, newspapers and old telephone directories in an ever growing chronicle of Des Plaines and the surrounding area. Des Plaines Memory utilizes social media to create a shared, collaborative local history. Visitors can post items to their Facebook accounts, or follow new posts on the Des Plaines Memory Twitter and Tumblr feeds. Visitors …

This week’s column was submitted by David Whittingham of the Des Plaines Public Library. What is with professional football players winning Dancing with the Stars? In a way, it makes sense. To play football, Donald Driver had to be agile and athletic and perhaps graceful. But winning the dancing competition and doing it so well surprised me. I am always impressed when someone who has reached the top of one field can jump into and dominate in another. In Dancing with the Stars, all the contestants are folks who made their fame in another area and then signed up for the dance show. The premise …

This week’s column was submitted by Christina Tropea of the Des Plaines Public Library. The library is a great resource for discovering more about your familial roots. To get started, genealogy experts recommend that you gather together as much information about your family as you can: marriage, birth and death certificates, photos, letters and postcards, family bibles and heirlooms. You should also interview relatives to get names of other relatives and ask them for records you might not have. Then you can start making a family tree. Family Tree Maker software, available at the library makes…

This week’s column was submitted by Bob Blanchard of the Des Plaines Public Library. A demonstration of equipment to make cooking easier for people with limited eyesight will be part of the Des Plaines Public Library’s Mini Low Vision Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. The free event is an opportunity for people with low vision, as well as their family members and friends, to find out about current equipment to help improve or maintain their quality of life, and to discover specialized services for themselves. Two Presentations: Etiquette and Cooking Two special presentations …

This week’s column was submitted by Gwen LaCosse of the Des Plaines Public Library. There’s a lot more to being a good pet parent than meets the eye. Before you buy that doggie in the window, you should attend a free seminar on pet ownership and care at the library. Mark Howes, DVM, will present, Your Guide to Successful Pet Ownership, at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Street, at 7 p.m. on May 9. His one-hour presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session, and parents are encouraged to bring their children. Earlier: Improve your money skills at the library's …

This week’s column was submitted by Joanne Griffin of the Des Plaines Public Library. The Des Plaines Public Library will host four events during Money Smart Week, April 21-28, to help consumers learn to manage money wisely. These events are part of the more than 500 free classes, seminars and activities promoting financial education that will take place during Money Smart Week Chicago. Earlier: Celebrate reading with World Book Night at the library. Wednesday April 25 at 7 p.m. The Warning Signs of Financial Exploitation. Attorney Ronald E. Webb will discuss what are the red flags indicating…