Friday, May 4, 2012
Learn about assistive equipment, discover specialized services and improve quality of life.
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 are scheduled. Des Plaines Lions Club members Carol Shepardson and Hap Holly will demonstrate etiquette for interacting with people who have limited …
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Also, learn how to better care for the pets you have.
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 Money Smart Week. Dr. Howes will share his expertise on a wide array of topics, including the following. Dr. Howes has two decades of veterinary …
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The annual reading awareness day began in the United Kingdom last year.
This week’s column was submitted by Claire Greene of the Des Plaines Public Library. In a book very dear to me it is written, “every book has a soul, the soul of the person who wrote it and the soul of those who read it and dream about it.” I love this phrase because it evokes the idea that there is a wonderful engaging book out there somewhere waiting for each of us to stumble upon and remember forever. This idea may occur freely to those of us who read regularly, but I think it might seem a strange concept to the great many people who don’t consider themselves avid readers. Earlier: What you need to know about tax forms at the library. As someone who works in readers’ services, and furthermore, as someone with a profound love of the …
Monday, April 9, 2012
Want hard copies? Need a special form not available online? Check with the library.
This week’s column was submitted by Gwen LaCosse, reference assistant at the Des Plaines Public Library. Yes, it is April (no fooling), and there’s a little more than a week before a certain annual deadline. Not to worry. If you have not yet submitted your 2011 federal and state income taxes, keep in mind that the Des Plaines Public Library has a great selection of tax forms and publications to help you meet the April 17 filing deadline. Earlier: Celebrating National Poetry Month at the library. The library carries the basic forms for individuals, including the U.S. 1040, 1040A and 1040 EZ and accompanying instruction booklets. You also can find the 1040 form — individual income tax return for Illinois — and its instructions, as well as …
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Library patrons may borrow “The Hunger Games,” “Ready Player One,” “The Maze Runner,” “Brave New World,” “1984” and many other favorites.
This week’s column was submitted by Lynne Rubio, readers’ services assistant at the Des Plaines Public Library. The Hunger Games, the movie, is finally here! Nearly every early reviewer gave it high praise and anticipation among fans is high. The library owns many copies of The Hunger Games books, and the way they have been flying off the shelves for months is a litmus test for the continuing interest in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, culminating in this week’s movie premiere. If you want to check out a copy of the book, call us at (847) 376-2834 or go to our online catalog and place a hold. Sometimes, though, in the midst of a feeding frenzy over a particular book, it’s gratifying to take a step back and a look around. If you love The Hunger …
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The Des Plaines library has all the info. you need to grow vegetables, flowers, trees and more.
This week’s column was submitted by Gwen LaCosse of the Des Plaines Public Library. Think s-e-e-d-s. Many years ago a conservation biologist mentioned to me that plants can sprout in unexpected places. Why? I wanted to know. Because, she replied, seeds blow. The library is someplace you might not think of immediately for gardening, but our collection is seeded with information and inspiration for everyone, from seasoned green thumbs to first-timers. Earlier: Library launches coupon club. Maybe it’s our lukewarm winter. Maybe it’s the time change this weekend, you know, the “spring” forward, pun intended. It’s time to move beyond the brown look and start contemplating seeds. It’s time to think about breaking ground, actually digging into …
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Collections maintained at retirement communities, materials delivered in homebound program.
This week’s column was submitted by Joel Sawyer of Readers’ Services at the Des Plaines Public Library. A major component of working here at the Des Plaines Public Library is interacting with the community. In most cases this consists of patrons stopping by the desk to talk about our eBook collection, or asking us for some help in locating the items they had in mind. However, there is another avenue of connection: we can bring the library to the public through our community outreach programs. While many patrons are able to come to the library to receive the services they need, there are others who find it difficult to do so. To accommodate them we have the deposit collection and homebound programs. Even though the Des Plaines Mobile …
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Rick Pickren will perform at the library on Feb. 12.
This week’s column was submitted by Gwen LaCosse of the Des Plaines Public Library. If you were ever fascinated by the romance surrounding American railroads and cowboys, we have a program for you. The Des Plaines Public Library welcomes back balladeer and actor Rick Pickren on Sunday, February 12, for "Songs from the Steel Rails," one of the programs Pickren performs as he makes his way across the plains. Pickren's "knowledge of cowboy and rail history, lore and song is reflected in many critically acclaimed albums: Songs From The Lonesome Prairie; Rails, Rogues & Wrecks; The Call: More Songs From The Lonesome Prairie; and his latest release, The Good Gone Days," according to his blog, Big Strike Music. Earlier: Mid-School-Year Jump …
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Students can spice up their scholastic experiences with resources at the Des Plaines Public Library.
This week’s column was submitted by Marianne Orme, reference librarian at the Des Plaines Public Library. Students, do you need relief from the dull routine that develops during the middle of the school year? Here are some options from the library to spice up your life. 1.) Online language programs: Try something different or support what you are studying in class. Along with Mango Languages, we have added a program called Muzzy, which is designed for younger students. 2.) General study skills books: If your habits result in forgotten assignments or lost important papers, then these books can help you form new skills to work smarter, not harder. Earlier: Two new novels to engage your willing suspension of disbelief. 3.) Career planning …
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Two new novels to engage your willing suspension of disbelief.
This week’s column was submitted by David Whittingham of the Des Plaines Public Library. Do you believe in magic? What about ghosts, monsters, miracles, unicorns and Bigfoot? I don’t believe Bigfoot exists, but I watch the television show “Finding Bigfoot” with my son, who loves Bigfoot. During the commercials I ask if he thinks they’ll find him, and my son always says — “maybe.” I was discussing the show with a friend the other day who also watches it, but from a completely different perspective. I find the show funny and entertaining, but unbelievable. My friend said if I needed proof to be convinced then I’m a skeptic. My friend said he would need proof that Bigfoot does not exist before he would stop believing. The ironic thing is that…
