Two library services that began in the 1980s, Night Owl Reference Service and Library Cable Network, are being retired as of June 30.

 

Night Owl Reference Service

This service offered answers to questions from Arlington Heights residents after library hours via the phone. The service was discontinued due to a decreasing number of participating libraries and questions answered.

 

Night Owl paved the way for the next generation of reference service: the Ask Away online chat, which is available 24/7 to Arlington Heights residents. You can also ask a question at the Library by phoning 847-506-2634 and text-messaging.

 

Library Cable Network

Arlington Heights was a charter member of the Library Cable Network (LCN) Channel 24 which featured videos of programs taped at the Library and its three partnering libraries. In the current economy, the cable production studio could no longer generate enough income to keep the studio operating.

 “In the 1980’s, creating a cable TV studio for library programs was visionary,” remarked AHML Director Paula Moore. “Our library was a founding partner in this innovative service designed to make our residents aware of library services. But the times have changed with the arrival of web sites such as YouTube and the hundreds of cable channels now available. It was a business decision to retire the channel and direct our resources to other library services. The Board of Library Trustees and staff thank you for your viewership over the past twenty-six years. It’s been a long and gratifying run.”

The Library is honored to be one of over 200 partners across the greater Chicagoland area that have come together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of architect Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago. From July 1 through October 31, the Library will be hosting the exhibit "Make Big Plans: Daniel Burnham's Vision of an American Metropolis" as well as several programs related to the centennial celebration and the exhibit. We were also chosen as one of four libraries to host three special public events for the Burnham Plan Centennial including a visit on August 9 by Carl Smith, author of The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City. The Library has another connection to the Burnham Plan Centennial. Tom Gray, son of long-time Friends of the Library volunteer Margaret Gray, designed a film about Chicago that will be projected in a pavilion to be constructed in Millennium Park. Gray is a graphic artist who designs video projections for theater productions. He was interviewed on Wednesday, June 24, on Channel 11 about his work on this project. Visit www.burnhamplan100.org for more information on centennial events.

A recent storytime brought new visitors to the Library for an overnight stay. A group of very special furry friends, of the plush variety, and their young owners came for a storytime. After bedtime stories, the children tucked their stuffed animals under blankets in the Lindsey Room. Then the children went home, and their animals spent the night. And what fun they had! The next day, when the children came back, they got to see a slide show of all their animals' adventures. Each stuffed animal went home with a nametag and a sticker that said, "I slept over at the Library." See their Library adventures for yourself.

Our new picture book bins at the Library make browsing easy for your little one. The books are shelved low, with their covers facing out. Bring your child to the library and let him do the “shopping.” Children love choosing their own books! Even very young children show a preference for certain types of books.