Library News
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. Juneteenth is celebrated annually throughout the United States and in observance, we've put together a list of fiction and nonfiction books and movies:
Learn more about Juneteenth:
All summer long, we are taking our favorite stories and activities to your favorite parks and places around town. Discover the beauty of the world around us with our Back to Nature BINGO, join us for a Movie in the Park or enjoy stories and songs at our weekly Storytimes in the Park. Plus our StoryWalk® series continues with a new story each month for you to enjoy as you take a stroll around beautiful Lake Arlington.
Let's Go on a StoryWalk®
Join us at Lake Arlington, 2201 N. Windsor Drive. Go for a walk and read a children's story, posted page by page on easy-to-follow signs, as you enjoy the great outdoors. Presented in
June is Pride Month and we've recently put together several curated lists of books and films to celebrate and better understand current events and the history of LGBTQ+ rights in America. We've put together lists for kids, tweens, teens and adults to enjoy.
These lists include books like Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman, Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong and Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson, and films like Love, Simon, Moonlight and Rafiki.Pride Month - LittlesPride Month - KidsPride Month -
We have compiled a list of resources to help you access information about the COVID-19 vaccine. All residents of Illinois over 12 years old are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, and 18 years and older for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Below you will find details about Cook County vaccine registration, locations, and a link to the COVID-19 webpage for the Village of Arlington Heights. We have included information about the vaccine itself, as well as links to register for residents in nearby counties.
So much has changed at our library in the past year. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged all of us beyond what we could have ever imagined, and it will continue to impact the library and our community, for years to come.
We began this unforeseen journey in March of 2020 with what at the time for us appeared to be a two-week library closure. We soon realized the road ahead was headed in an unchartered direction as our best-made plans took a serious turn off course. And at worst, some of us faced or suffered personal challenges and losses in our lives
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library stands in solidarity with our Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. We strongly condemn discrimination, acts of violence and hate speech against our AAPI neighbors and businesses.
The library remains committed to the continuous anti-racism work we began in 2017 related to diversity, equity and inclusion. We provide access to diverse collections and voices, spaces, programs, and training and resources that create connections and continue conversations.
We support the statements of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, the American Library Association Executive Board, the Illinois Library Association, RAILS and public libraries across Illinois.Resources:
March is Women's History Month, a month that honors the contribution of women throughout history. In celebration, we've put together several curated lists that highlight the voices of phenomenal women in film, literature and music.
Phenomenal Women - Fiction Writers
Phenomenal Women - Directors
Phenomenal Women - Biography/Memoir
Phenomenal Women - Music
Phenomenal Women - Science
Phenomenal Women - Poetry
Start your search for the daycare, preschool, elementary, middle or high school that fits your needs with the help of our Kids' World Wakelet. This easy-to-use online tool includes lots of great information and resources for parents and caregivers including information from our Virtual School Information Fair held earlier this year. Find resources, tour classrooms virtually and access information about dozens of area schools and organizations in Arlington Heights and the surrounding area using our Wakelets: School Information Fair: Daycares and Preschools and School Information Fair: K-12. Get started here.
Our Meet the Maker series continues when Shannon Downey of Badass Cross Stitch joins us via Zoom for: Craftivism 101: A Hands-On Virtual Workshop, Friday, March 12, 6-8 p.m. and Friday, March 26, 6-8 p.m. (This 2nd session on March 26 was recently added due to demand. Space is limited. Register here beginning March 15.) Craftivism: A Conversation on Tuesday, March 16. noon-12:30 p.m. on Instagram Live (no registration required).
Our Meet the Maker series gathers Makers from throughout the Chicagoland area to discuss what being a Maker means, demonstrate their work and answer questions. Included in our lineup, we've showcased textiles, screenprinting, mold making, ceramic
February is Black History Month and we've put together several curated lists that highlight Black voices in film, literature and music.
Black Voices - Cinema
Black Voices - Memoir/Biography
Black Voices - Music
Black Voices - Mystery
Black Voices - Romance
Black Voices - Science Fiction/Fantasy
Black Voices - Novels