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  • Celebrate Juneteenth through literature and film

    June 19, 1865 is the day when the last enslaved people in the United States were told they were free in Galveston, Texas - two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. June 19 is now known as Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery and celebrates African-American freedom, culture and achievements.

    Our Readers Advisors and Youth Services staff have created lists of books for all ages to explore and learn more about Juneteenth plus a selection of films. View lists here: 

    Juneteenth adult fiction

    Juneteenth adult nonfiction

    Juneteenth films

    Juneteenth for youth

    Juneteenth for teens

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  • New library exhibit weaves together community, craftivism

    The Arlington Heights Memorial Library celebrated the art of making with the grand opening of its newest exhibit, Community & Craftivism, showcasing how art can become an opportunity to build community and advocate for change, one stitch at a time. 

    Partners, community members and more stopped by the library on Thursday, June 12 to be among the first to view the exhibit including community-driven quilts, art projects created through craftivism and more, all curated by the library in partnership with artist and activist Shannon Downey. In the spirit of community, 279 people contributed to the pieces that are on display

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  • Stream music now using hoopla

    Never be without something to read, watch or listen to! Use your library card to access the library's hoopla database and conveniently stream or download something to read, watch or listen to anywhere, anytime.

    In addition to thousands of books and movies, hoopla provides access to music of all sorts. You can easily listen to the latest releases from musicians such as Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Chappell Roan and more. Unlike other hoopla formats, music titles are added to hoopla on their release day so library cardholders don't have to wait to listen to the next best

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NEW TO THE LIBRARY

The Silmarillion
Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973
The story of the creation of the world and of the First Age, this is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The three Silmarils were jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of the Elves. Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before the Trees themselves were destroyed by Morgoth, the first Dark Lord. Thereafter, the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in the Silmarils, but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, which was guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Feanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against the great Enemy. This second edition features a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien describing his intentions for the book, which serves as a brilliant exposition of his conception of the earlier Ages of Middle-earth
Silverleaf rapids
Thomas, Jodi,
"Nineteen-year-old Staten Kirkland was studying at Texas Tech when he got the news that the grandfather who raised him, J.R. Kirkland, was fighting for his life. Now Staten would have to leave college behind...And he'd have to grow up overnight. More than that, he'd have to become a boss...He'd always hated change. But change was barreling toward him...Rootless and stuck in the dull routine that was her life, college professor Charlotte Lane escaped into fiction. But now she was restless for a change--in the form of being the new high school teacher at the small town bordering Ransom Canyon...Peggy Warner came last in every way, not even worth sending to college. Now 27, she's never left home and lives in service to her aging parents and her married siblings' growing families. But she still has dreams--and under the big sky overlooking Ransom Canyon they may come true"--
Legacy of silence
Plain, Belva
A remarkable tale, spanning three decades from the eve of WWII in Germany to the United States of today. Grand in scope, emotionally powerful
All the mothers
Ruta, Domenica,
"While her whole life crumbles around her, Sandy is stalking her ex's Instagram. Specifically, she is scrolling through his follower list, desperately trying to find the other woman she suspects he has a child with. After a series of disastrous romantic choices, Sandy makes her greatest mistake yet when she gets unexpectedly pregnant in her mid-30s by a dating-app flop. Sandy tries to maintain something like a normal life with her daughter's dad, a wannabe rock star, and his icy, codependent mother. But finding out that her baby has a half-sibling she doesn't know anything about is a bridge too far. Sandy has to talk to this woman. Enter Stephanie, the other mother. Sandy is prepared to hate her but when the two women meet, they are shocked to learn how much they have in common beyond the deadbeat father their children share. Now Sandy needs to figure out what her and Rosie's family looks like with all these new additions. Could life in a mommune be the answer to her prayers, or just a new brand of chaos? In this winning story of family both chosen and created, Sandy is about to discover that when nothing goes as planned, the best things become possible." --
Circular motion
Foster, Alex, 1995-
"A brilliantly imagined literary debut of love, despair, and two people's search for belonging in a world literally spinning out of control. The acceleration of Earth's spin begins gradually. At first, days are just a few seconds shorter than normal. Awareness of the mysterious phenomenon hasn't reached Tanner, a young man preoccupied with dreams of escaping his tiny Alaskan hometown. One night, desperate to make his mark on the world, he runs away. He lands an unlikely job at CWC, the global operator of a network of massive aircraft that orbit the Earth at 30,000 feet, revolutionizing global transportation. Now goods and people can travel anywhere in little more than an hour-you can visit Paris for an evening or order sushi from Japan. But a wave of social unrest presents challenges for CWC just as Tanner settles into his new lifestyle and develops surprising feelings for one of his colleagues. That unrest sweeps up Winnie. A high school outcast, Winnie falls in with a group of teen activists who blame CWC for the planet's acceleration. As days on Earth quicken to twenty-three hours, then twenty, the sun rising and setting ever faster, causing violent storms and political meltdowns, Tanner and Winnie's stories spiral closer together. They meet cynical executives toiling to forestall the crises they created, lobbyists and lovers all coping in their own ways, and religious zealots for whom the apocalypse can't come soon enough. Three-hour days. Two-hour days . . . A propulsive exploration of capitalism, technology, and our place within a system that dwarfs us, Circular Motion is one of the most ingenious debut novels of our time"--
The oath of the Vayuputras
Amish,
"Shiva is gathering his forces. He reaches the Naga capital, Panchavati, and Evil is finally revealed. The Neelkanth prepares for a holy war against his true enemy, a man whose name instils dread in the fiercest of warriors. India convulses under the onslaught of a series of brutal battles. It's a war for the very soul of the nation. Many will die. But Shiva must not fail, no matter what the cost. In his desperation, he reaches out to the ones who have never offered any help to him: the Vayuputras. Will he succeed? And what will be the real cost of battling Evil? To India? And to Shiva's soul?"--Provided by publisher
Women like us
Lief, Katia, 1959-
"Joni Ackerman was tired of being invisible. It's been five years since Joni Ackerman tipped the antifreeze into her husband's cocktail. Five years since he was found dead at the bottom of the stairs. Five years since she got away with murder. At first, Joni feared the consequences of her transgression, but she's learned to embrace the power of recklessness in a way she would have hated to see in anyone else. It was that recklessness, after all, that took her to this rewarding new life. Joni now runs Sunny Day Productions alongside her daughter, Chris, and her best friend, Val. All is well in life and work until, one day, their balance is rocked when an unexpected, and unwelcome, visitor appears. When Joni's brother, Marc, resurfaces after a twenty-year estrangement, Joni braces for the sibling she knew--a cruel, vindictive conman who deftly switched between personas. But this Marc on her doorstep is different. He's older, softer. And he seems to have overcome the self-inflicted traumas of his past. But Val isn't fooled. She knows exactly what sort of man Marc is, and she warns Joni to keep her guard up. When Mark inevitably betrays Joni's trust, Joni is forced to look inward. As dark thoughts, and darker compulsions, take form, Joni can't help but wonder: "Is psychopathy a family trait?" Katia Lief's Women Like Us is a sharply rendered literary thriller that examines the complexities and responsibilities of female friendship-what brings women together, and what drives them apart"--
Friends with benefits
Kanter, Marisa,
"Childhood best friends Evie and Theo enter a fake marriage, in order to allow Evie access to Theo's health insurance benefits and allow Theo to keep his apartment. However, their "fictional" marriage gives rise to the real romantic feelings that have long simmered between the surface of their lifelong friendship"--
Never flinch
King, Stephen, 1947-
"From master storyteller Stephen King comes an extraordinary new novel with intertwining storylines-one about a killer on a diabolical revenge mission, and another about a vigilante targeting a feminist celebrity speaker-featuring the beloved Holly Gibney and a dynamic new cast of characters. When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to "kill thirteen innocents and one guilty" in "an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man," Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realizes that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help. Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women's rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate's message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder, and Holly is hired to be Kate's bodyguard-a challenging task with a headstrong employer and a determined adversary driven by wrath and his belief in his own righteousness. Featuring a riveting cast of characters both old and new, including world-famous gospel singer Sista Bessie and an unforgettable villain addicted to murder, these twinned narratives converge in a chilling and spectacular conclusion-a feat of storytelling only Stephen King could pull off. Thrilling, wildly fun, and outrageously engrossing, Never Flinch is one of King's richest and most propulsive novels"--
A simple twist of fate
Asher, April,
"At the bright-eyed age of eighteen, witch Harlow "Harry" Pierce attended her first Fates Festival Finding Ceremony certain the Blue Willow Wisp would lead her to her Fated match, her cougar shifter boyfriend, Jaxon Atwood. But Fate had other plans, guiding her best friend to him instead. With a broken heart, all her belongings, and a vow to never return, Harry did the only thing a heartsick witch could do. Run. Thirteen years later, she returns to her magical hometown - with her half-human, half-shifter goddaughter in tow - hoping that not only would the town work its magic on the troubled teenager, but that the local Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack could help Grace identify - and control - her fiery abilities. Jaxon Atwood was a shifter of few words and even less patience... until his mother retired as Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack and left the running of things to him. It's a headache he didn't need, and one that brought the witch who'd ripped his heart from his chest knocking on his door. Ever since the disappearance of the town's Fate Witch over a decade ago, Fates Haven's magic has been slowly going haywire. There hasn't been a Fated Match made in thirteen years, putting the town in serious jeopardy of losing its title of Highest Fated Mates Percentage in the World. But now, something is stirring in Fates Haven, Colorado, and it smells like the past, tastes like change, and looks like A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE"--
Can't get enough
Ryan, Kennedy,
Hendrix Barry lives a fabulous life. She has phenomenal friends, a loving family, and a thriving business that places her in the entertainment industry's rarefied air. Who has time for romance? From her experience, there's a low ROI on relationships. She hasn't met the man who can keep up with her anyway. Until...him. Tech mogul Maverick Bell is a dilemma wrapped in an exquisitely tailored suit and knee-melting charm. From their first charged glance at the summer's hottest party, Hendrix feels like she's met her match. Only he can't be. Mav may be the first to make her feel this seen and desired, but he's the last one she can have...this man is off limits if she plans to stay the course she's set for herself.--
The Martha's Vineyard beach and book club
Kelly, Martha Hall,
"2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother's death as she travels to the storied island of Martha's Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She's come all the way from California with nothing but a name on a piece of paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux's stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class with her, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible. 1942: The Smith girls--nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar--are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha's Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island's shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows both in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence's dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore--and whispers of a spy in their midst. Who in their tight-knit island community can they trust? Could this little book club change the course of the war...before it's too late?" --
Carolina moon
Roberts, Nora,
Tory Bodeen grew up in a small, rundown house where her father ruled with an iron fist and a leather belt. But she had Hope, whose friendship allowed Tory to be something she wasn't allowed to be at home: a child. But after young Hope's brutal murder, Tory's life began to fall apart. Now, as she returns to the tiny town of Progress, South Carolina, she is determined to find a measure of peace and free herself from the haunting visions of that terrible night. But living so close to unhappy memories will be more difficult and frightening than she ever expected. Because the killer of Hope is nearby as well
Dream on, Ramona Riley
Blake, Ashley Herring,
"Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father's car accident, she had to quit everything and return to her small New Hampshire town, Clover Lake, to help take care of her younger sister. Twelve years later, Ramona is still working at the town's café, all but given up on her dream. But when a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, she wonders if this could be her chance. There's only one problem--Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood's favorite wild child--is the star. Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she's not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby, that she has actual skills, that she's just a normal person. To do that, Dylan takes on a project at a charming lake town--she even works at the town's café (very quaint), shadowing a local waitress there (very cute), and asks her to take Dylan around to do Normal People Things. But Dylan soon realizes it's not just some small-town waitress she's getting to know--Ramona Riley is someone she's met before, someone who remembers her even more vividly. Before long, however, reality hits them, and both women have to decide if the spark between them can fan the flames of their individual dreams, or if it will extinguish their light"--
Michael without apology
Hyde, Catherine Ryan,
Michael Woodbine was seven years old when a near-fatal fireworks accident scarred him and led to his placement in foster care. Now a college freshman, he is still trying to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, his adoptive family, and himself. When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception. Michael places an ad seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society--and is surprised to learn that this is essentially everyone. Although some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, others are dealing with more everyday factors like aging or the changes to a body from giving birth. As he collects these stories--and finally tells his own--Michael feels more connected to the world than he ever has before. But he knows his journey of self-acceptance has one more obstacle: his crushing doubts about why his birth parents wouldn't fight to keep him

Items Coming Soon

  DVDs  

   Blu-rays  

    Books    

 

 
 

Upcoming Programs

View full calendar ›

1
Jul

Storytime in the Park
- /See Description for Location

1
Jul

The Puppeteers' Puppet Show
- /Full Hendrickson Room

1
Jul

Beginning ESL
- /Cardinal Room

1
Jul

VIRTUAL: Citizenship Class
- /Zoom Event

2
Jul

Baby Time
- /Lindsey Room

2
Jul

Play Time
- /Kids' World
View full calendar ›