Evanston Public Library - Main Library

April is Poetry Month. The African American Literature Book Discussion group will discuss two selections:

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange, an Obie Award winning dramatic prose poem.

Quilting the Black Eyed Pea, by Nikki Giovanni, a collection ... (more)that covers: popular culture and life in America; the poet's own battle with illness; relationships between mothers and their children; legendary historical figures; the South; the recent terrorist attacks; and Giovanni's own childhood.

Copies of the books are available at Reader's Services, 2nd floor.

Plan ahead! On May 8, Dr. Carl Smith, the Franklyn Bliss Snyder Professor of English and American Studies and Professor of History at Northwestern University, will present an illustrated talk on The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City. He will discuss the creation, content, ... (more)and significance of Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett's highly influential Plan of Chicago (1909), which proposed many of the current city's most distinctive features, established the concept of city planning in the United States, and encouraged the re-conceptualization of urban life itself.

Please call Reader's Services, 847-448-8620, to let us know if you plan to attend.

The African American Literature Book Discussion Group will be discussing The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears, by Dinaw Mengestu.
Seventeen years ago, Sepha Stephanos fled the Ethiopian Revolution after witnessing soldiers beat his father to the point of certain death, selling off his parents' jewelry ... (more)to pay for passage to the United States. Now he finds himself running a grocery store in a poor African-American neighborhood. Told in a haunting and powerful first-person narration that casts the streets of Washington, D.C. and Addis Ababa through Sepha's eyes, The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears is a deeply affecting and unforgettable debut novel about what it means to lose a family and a country—and what it takes to create a new home.

Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel
A novel set in Israel in the 1970s, it tells the story of two lovers, Lily, an emigrant student exploring the wonders and terrors of Israel, and Ami, the Israeli former actor who captures her heart. Ami has only one flaw: he is an army interrogator. As Ami and ... (more)Lily's unexpected passion grows, so too does the shadow that hangs over them.

Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger, tells the story of 11-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy who has reason to believe in miracles.

The South Branch Book Group meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at the South Branch, 949 chicago Avenue. Register at South, or call 847-866-0333.

Julie Otsuka’s commanding debut novel paints a portrait of the Japanese internment camps unlike any we have ever seen. With crystalline intensity and precision, Otsuka uses a single family to evoke the deracination—both physical and emotional—of a generation of Japanese Americans. In five chapters, ... (more)each flawlessly executed from a different point of view—the mother receiving the order to evacuate; the daughter on the long train ride to the camp; the son in the desert encampment; the family’s return to their home; and the bitter release of the father after more than four years in captivity—she has created a small tour de force, a novel of unrelenting economy and suppressed emotion. Spare, intimate, arrestingly understated, When the Emperor Was Divine is a haunting evocation of a family in wartime and an unmistakably resonant lesson for our times. It heralds the arrival of a singularly gifted new novelist.

Call 847-866-0330 or visit the North Branch, 2026 Central Street, to register.

Author Steven Faulkner and his teenage son Justin are having a great time. They are on an epic journey, retracing the historic 1673 route of French explorers Marquette and Joliet along the Lake Michigan shore to Green Bay, up the Fox River, then down the Wisconsin River to the mighty Mississippi. A poet ... (more)with a sense of humor, Faulkner brings the majestic American heartland to life in his new book Waterwalk. Sunday, June 1, 2 p.m. at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue in downtown Evanston.

On Saturday, June 7, 2008, the Evanston Public Library and the Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA, Inc.) will present a program in conjunction with the launch of Field of Mirrors: An Anthology of Philippine American Writers. Published this year by PAWA Inc. and edited by Edwin A. Lozada, ... (more)this anthology features seventy-one Philippine American writers from around the United States.
The Evanston event will begin with networking at 2 p.m., and at 3 p.m. writers from the anthology will read their work. For more information about the June 7 event at the Evanston Public Library, contact PAWA member Almira Gilles at 847-359-3494, or Kate Todd at the Evanston Public Library, 847-448-8653. This event is free and open to the public.

Noire shunned the “bourgie” world of black-moneyed cosmopolitans before meeting Innocent, an investment banker from Côte d’Ivoire West Africa. Set in New York City with jaunts to Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean, A Love Noire offers an insider's look at: color and class struggles; urban living; ... (more)life in Africa; the notoriously unpredictable and heady New York dating scene; and good old-fashioned love.

The South Branch Book Group meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the South Branch Library, 949 Chicago Avenue. Visit South Branch to register or call 847-866-0333.

The African American Literature Book Discussion Group meets monthly at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue. Discussions are led by Sue McClelland and Milcah Baraona. Register for the African American Literature Group at the 2nd floor Reader’s Services desk or call 847-448-8620.

A Long Way Gone: ... (more)Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah Wednesday, July 9, 7 p.m.

The South Branch Book Group meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the South Branch Library, 949 Chicago Avenue. Visit South Branch to register or call 847-866-0333.

The North Branch Book Group meets monthly on the last Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Register at North Branch, 2026 Central Street, or call 847-866-0330. On July 31, join the group for a discussion of The Attack by Yasmini Khadra.

Carol LaChapelle returns for a workshop on memoir writing. Free, but registration is required. Call Reader’s Services to register at 847-448-8620. Tuesday, August 5, 6-8:30 p.m. Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue in Evanston. Free.

The African American Literature Book Discussion Group meets monthly at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue. Discussions are led by Sue McClelland and Milcah Baraona. Register for the African American Literature Group at the 2nd floor Reader’s Services desk or call 847-448-8620.

Next humongous book sale will be Friday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 24th at the Main Library. Sale hours will be: Friday 10 to 6 pm (no Friends preview); Saturday 9 to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 6 (all books will be half price on Sunday). There are some fabulous bargains so come and check it out!
Evanston ... (more)Public Library
1703 Orrington Avenue
847-448-8600

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about your family history or the best way to store and display the family history archives you already have, this is the workshop for you. Library staff will discuss the online and print resources available at the library for family history research. EHC staff will ... (more)demonstrate the proper way to store paper materials and photographs, and the do's and don’ts of displaying these materials. Reservations requested, please call (847) 475-3410.

This workshop is the first in a new series of “Do It Yourself” History Workshops that will be offered by the Evanston History Center. Stay tuned for future workshops on caring for antique clothing and doing oral history projects.

Main Library, Community Meeting Room,1703 Orrington Avenue in Evanston. Free. Call 847-448-8600 for info.

WRITING COMICS: Writer Russell Lissau (THE BATMAN STRIKES, HOPE: NEW ORLEANS) leads a fun, hands-on workshop about the craft of comic books! Learn about scripting, pencilling and the other stages of making a comic -- and practice on a real page from an actual book! Open to middle and high school students ... (more)and adults. Books will be for sale afterward.

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama President Elect Barack Obama examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats - from terrorism to pandemic - that gather beyond our shores.

The Outsider, by Richard Wright From Richard Wright, one of the most powerful, acclaimed, and essential American authors of the twentieth century, comes a compelling story of a black man's attempt to escape his past and start anew in Harlem.

When and Where I Enter, by Paula Giddings When and Where I Enter is an eloquent testimonial to the profound influence of African-American women on race and women's movements throughout American history.

Shimmy Shimmy Shimmy Like My Sister Kate: Looking at the Harlem Renaissance through poems, edited by Nikki Giovanni A remarkable collection of poetry from the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.

Friday Afternoons, 3:30-5:30 p.m., in The Loft at the Main Library. May 1, 8, 15, 22. Join us in the Loft for open access gaming: Wii, PlayStation, XBOX 360, Guitar Hero. Must be in middle or high school

Friday, May 8, 3 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library Sense and Sensibility (1995, 135 min, rated PG) Two sisters, pragmatic Elinor and passionate Marianne, try to find romantic happiness in a 19th-century English society obsessed with social and financial status.

Saturday, May 9, 2 pm, in the Loft. Pull up a beanbag chair for a screening of the amazing story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, which stunned the heavily favored Soviet squad in the semifinals to advance to the championship game. Kurt Russell stars as Herb Brooks, the team’s coach. Rated PG. ... (more)2 hours, 10 minutes. Teens only!

Monday, May 11, 7 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library The Pope's Toilet (2008, 97min. Uruguay/France/Brazil) It's 1988, and Melo, an Uruguayan town on the Brazilian border, awaits the visit of Pope John Paul II. 50,000 people are expected to attend, and the most humble locals believe that selling ... (more)food and drink to the multitude will just about make them rich. Petty smuggler Beto thinks he has the best idea of all--he decides he will build a WC in front of his house and charge for its use. His efforts bring about unexpected consequences, and the final results will surprise everyone.

Wednesday, May 13, 7:30 PM, Community Meeting Room, Main Library The Cats of Mirikitani, by Linda Hattendorf. (2006, 74 min) After 9/11, 80-year-old artist Jimmy Mirikitani finds himself homeless in New York. Jimmy, who is Japanese American, survived the trauma of WW2 internment camps and Hiroshima. ... (more)Enter filmmaker Linda Hattendorf and together they embark on a journey that sensitively explores the wounds of war and the healing powers of art and friendship. Co-presented with the Aging Well Conference.

Saturday, May 16, 2 pm, in the Loft. Ben (Rupert Grint, aka Ron Weasley of the Harry Potter films), eager to escape his crazy home filled with down-and-out borders, lands a job tending to self-proclaimed "Dame" Evie Walton. That's when the fun really begins. Rated PG-13. 98 minutes. Teens only!

by Bebe Moore Campbell. This powerful story of a mother trying to cope with her daughter's bipolar disorder reads at times like a heightened procedural.

Acclaimed speaker and career coach Shirley Moore presents this timely program on how to improve your chances of getting a job through various "dynamic do's" including personal appearance, updating resumes, networking, and interviewing helps. Register online or by calling 847-448-8620.

The world is reeling from the worst financial crisis in decades. But if we heed history's lessons, our financial meltdown will ultimately have beneficial consequences. In "Surviving Large Losses", author Philip T. Hoffman shows how past crises have led to stronger financial institutions and even renewed ... (more)growth, proving that our pain now can bring gains in the future.

Saturday May 23rd 2pm, in the Loft. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen When Lola is forced to move to a sleepy New Jersey suburb, she finds that Carla ,has already claimed the title of most popular girl, a title that use to be Lola’s. Rated PG 1 hour, 30 minutes. Teens Only!

May 29, Friday Evening, 6:30-9 pm, in the Loft. Wii want you to rock out in the Loft on Friday Night. Rockband, Wii, PS2, and/or bring your own game and console. Ages 13-18 only -- Pizza and free bus ride home!

Saturday May 30th, 2PM, in the Loft. Told from their candid and hilarious perspectives, the film follows fourth and fifth grade New York City public school kids as they journey into the world of ballroom dancing, literally transforming themselves into "ladies and gentlemen" as they prepare for the highly ... (more)anticipated, final citywide competition. Rated PG. 1 hour, 46 minutes. Teens Only!

Saturday May 30th, 2pm, in the Loft. Mad Hot Ballroom. Told from their candid and hilarious perspectives, the film follows fourth and fifth grade New York City public school kids as they journey into the world of ballroom dancing, literally transforming themselves into "ladies and gentlemen" as they ... (more)prepare for the highly anticipated, final citywide competition. Rated PG. 1 hour, 46 minutes. Teens Only!

Sunday June 7th, 3:00 pm Community Meeting Room The Goodmans return with their delightful cabaret-style act filled with unforgettable songs from Broadway, operetta, and the Big Band era. Lively entertainment for all ages!

by Ta-Nehisi Coates A memoir of growing up in the tough world of 1980s Baltimore that chronicles the relationship between the author and his Vietnam vet father who fights to keep his sons from falling victim to the temptations of the streets.

Monday, June 15, 7 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library The Trap (2008, 106 min. Serbia) A modern film noir reflecting the true face of Serbian "society in transition." It's a story that could happen to you. An ordinary man is forced to choose between the life and death of his own child. The Trap ... (more)is a film about post-Milosevic's Serbia, in which there is no more war, only a moral and existential desert. This is Serbia in transition, in which human life is worth little, and normal life remains almost unreachable.

Monday, June 15, 7 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library The Trap (2008, 106 min. Serbia) A modern film noir reflecting the true face of Serbian "society in transition." It's a story that could happen to you. An ordinary man is forced to choose between the life and death of his own child. The Trap ... (more)is a film about post-Milosevic's Serbia, in which there is no more war, only a moral and existential desert. This is Serbia in transition, in which human life is worth little, and normal life remains almost unreachable

Peterson draws upon the memories of many who played influential roles in the scene and understand what made this era of hardcore so unique in its ability to synthesize music and ideology into what for many felt like was a powerful counter-cultural movement, where change was just around the corner.

Monday, July 20, 7 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library In Love We Trust (Zuo you) (2008, 115 min. China) A divorced couple learns that the only way to save their little daughter Hehe, who suffers from a blood disease, is to have another child. Now both remarried, Mei Zhu and Xiao Lu are forced to ... (more)test their love and their commitment to one another by putting their current relationships in danger. A story of parenthood, love, married life, betrayal, trust, and giving, which touches upon changes in contemporary society and family life, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas brought on by modernity.

Wednesday, July 1 through August 5, 7-8:30 pm, Small Meeting Room, Main Library. 6-week class. Poetry Workshop: From Cento to Sonnet. Led by Joshua Lobb. Each week, we'll take a look at a different form of poetry. The techniques covered will be Tanka, Cento, Prose Poem, Sestina, Sonnet, and Found Poetry. ... (more)We'll complete in-class exercises, workshop one another's poems, and share poetry that you're working on outside of our workshop. Class size is limited, so please register with Joshua Lobb at j-lobb@northwestern.edu or by phone: 319-321-1987.

Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 10:30-11:10am or 11:15am-12:15pm Children's Room, Main Library You may sign up for one of these storytimes. Registration begins on June 2! A special storytime for children who are ready to attend a story program without parents and younger siblings. We’ll share stories, ... (more)songs and crafts for these “big kids in training.” For children ages 3-5 years old. Registration required. Please register online, in person or call 847-448-8610.

Tuesday July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 4:15 - 5:00, Children's Room, Main Library For children entering Kindergarten through second grade (ages 5 - 7) Registration begins June 2nd! Make Tracks! July 7th Read about animal tracks; make and play your own animal track bingo. Trail Mix in a Tent! July 14th Listen to ... (more)stories in a tent! - and make trail mix. Safari Survival Kit! July 21st Go on a map safari in the Children's Room with your survival kit. Down the Hole! July 28th Learn about underground animals and play beanbag toss.

Wednesday, July 8th, 5-7 pm @ Whole Foods Kitchen. Book it & Cook it! Ever wondered what gives fast food fries their "unique" taste? Or how the feedlots and chicken-processing plants really operate (end result - Chicken McNuggets)? Join us in this 2nd installment of our Book it & Cook it program, in ... (more)which we prepare, cook and eat food while discussing the book Chew on This by Eric Schlosser. Registration is required, and participants must read Chew on This prior to the session. There will be lots to chew on! Must be in middle or high school. Special thanks to Whole Foods Market!

Friday, July 10, 3 pm Community Meeting Room, Main Library Magnificent Obsession (1954, 108 min, unrated) A reckless playboy (Rock Hudson) is resuscitated by his town's emergency crew after crashing his speedboat. At the same time, the town's beloved doctor dies of a heart attack because the crew is ... (more)tied up. Realizing that his folly has caused the doctor's death, the playboy decides to become a surgeon to save others' lives.

Absolut Warhola, by Stanislaw Mucha. (2001, 80 min.) This light-hearted documentary traces the roots of America's Pop icon Andy Warhol to a small town in Eastern Europe. His extended family never knew him yet they are happy to share their opinions about him. We are treated to Warhol’s art while the ... (more)filmmaker offers a humorous look at fame and family.

Fridays, July 17, 24, 31 and August 7, 10:30 a.m., Children's Room, Main Library Time for Twos meets on Fridays from 10:30-11:00 a.m. For children ages 24 to 36 months old with parent or caregiver. Registration required. Registration begins on June 2, 2009. Please call 847-448-8610 to register.

Friday, July 17, 3 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library All That Heaven Allows (1955, 89 min, unrated) When a well-to-do widow (Jane Wyman) falls in love with her young gardener (Rock Hudson), she arouses the fierce disapproval of her children and her community. Will she accept a life of lonely widowhood, ... (more)or defy her social set and marry the man she loves?

Knitting the threads of time : casting back to the heart of our craft Saturday July 18th, 2:00 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library Author Nora Murphy gives a personal account of one of America's favorite crafts, exploring Hmong textiles, American Indian weaving, and the world's fascination with ... (more)fiber arts.

Sunday July 19th, 3:00 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library Bill Helmuth, traveler extraordinaire,uses photos and personal reflections to examine the social and political challenges, the effects of slavery/apartheid, health care, education, village life and other cultural elements of the vast and ... (more)often complicated South African experience.

Jason Bussell, president of the Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine will give a demonstration of The Asian Diet: simple secrets for eating right, losing weight, and being well

A.J. Verdelle’s novel is consistently absorbing, beautifully detailed, and brings universal truths to an affecting study of adolescence.