More than 115 people joined us at the Makerplace on Thursday, September 29 to celebrate, create and learn more about everything the Makerplace has to offer.

Those who stopped by were able to laser engrave their names into a bamboo phone stand, enjoy a cooking demo in the Makerplace Kitchen, go on a guided tour of the Makerplace, learn more about quilting and 3D printing, use the Makerplace's paper crafting tools to create holiday cards and hanging banners, and more.

Click here to view more photos from our Makerplace First Anniversary celebration on our Facebook page. If you want to learn more about

All summer, library staff and volunteers have rolled up their sleeves and volunteered their time tending a garden plot at the Viatorian Giving Garden, located at 1212 Euclid Avenue. Maintaining one of 25 raised beds in the community garden, the library and other participating gardeners and organizations donate half of what they grow to local charitable organizations such as the Wheeling Township Food Pantry. Since its founding in 2012, the Viatorian Giving Garden has donated more than 10,000 pounds of vegetables to help those in need and by early August had already surpassed 1,000 pounds of produce donated for 2022

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles lists of banned and challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. To celebrate Banned Books Week (September 18-24) and the freedom to read, our library staff have put together a list of titles that the American Library Association has identified as being frequently challenged or banned over the last decade. 

Banned Books Week is both a reminder of the unifying power of stories and the divisiveness of censorship. From Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman to The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, click here to take a

Your next Illinois adventure begins at the library with the Museum Adventure Pass!  Arlington Heights Memorial Library cardholders can now check out passes to visit select museums and local attractions at no cost or at a special reduced rate. Check out a pass online and visit places like the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Brookfield Zoo and the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. 

A limited number of passes for each participating organization are available and are checked out on a first-come, first-serve basis using your AHML library card. One Museum Adventure Pass may be checked out per family, per loan period. View available passes and get started here

Arlington Heights Memorial Library cardholders can now request to reserve select equipment at the Makerplace at 112 N. Belmont Ave. To request an equipment reservation, call the library at 847-392-0100.

Library cardholders can book equipment up to one week in advance.

The following equipment is available for reservation:

• Dremel LC40 Laser Cutter
• Epilog Mini 24 Laser Cutter
• Brother Pacesetter PS200T Sewing Machine
• Brother N2750D Embroidery Machine
• Cricut Maker & Heat Press
• Sweet 16 Long Arm Quilter

Learn more about the Makerplace at ahml.info/makerplace.

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library Board of Trustees announced an upcoming trustee vacancy at the September 6, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting.
The board will fill the vacancy by appointment, and the appointed trustee will serve until the new board is seated in May 2023, following the consolidated election on April 4, 2023. 
Any resident of Arlington Heights interested in being considered for the position should submit a letter of interest with their qualifications and intent to be on the ballot for the open trustee position in the April election, by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 16.  
Three finalists

Our staff love talking about books and authors and helping you discover your soon-to-be favorite reads. If you are stumped about what to read next, the library's 'Book Me' service is a great way to get a customized list of titles that match your reading style. Book Me is available for both adults and young readers including kids, tweens and teens! Here is how it works.

Complete our Book Me form with your reading preferences. Select your preferred formats and favorite genres and tell us a few of the books and authors you've enjoyed reading in the past. The form only takes a few minutes to

Overwhelmed with your job search? This library's Take Home Jobs Kit has all the essentials you need to help in your search for a new job, including a variety of information focused on job searching, skill building, resume writing and overall career exploration. Call us at 847-392-0100 or email questions@ahml.info to request your kit. Take Home Jobs Kits will be available while supplies last. One per customer.

Find more Jobs & Careers resources available at the library here. 

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library celebrated the in-person return of FanCon on Saturday, July 16. Around 650 residents of all ages stopped by the library for the sixth annual comic book and pop culture event.

"We just got here about 20 minutes ago, but I think my sons are taking it all in," said Johanna Abend who attended FanCon with her husband, 12-year-old son Nathan and 9-year-old son Myles. "They're really enjoying it and they're kind of overwhelmed, because I don't think they were expecting it to be this big, but in a good way."

"It's fun and cool," added Nathan

Exciting updates are coming to Kids’ World this fall, creating additional developmentally appropriate, interactive learning zones for kids.

These updates will include:

• NEW: Everbright lightboard and floor projection system
• An enclosed play area for infants, early walkers and their caregivers
• Improved area for preschooler dramatic play
• Defined area for grades K-3 hands-on exploration
• Defined area for tweens

“The vision for the Kids’ World refresh is to create flexible, interactive and experiential learning zones dedicated to specific age groups with resources and activities to meet their developmental needs and interests,” said Trixie Dantis, Youth Services Manager. “We are committed to offering