Library News
Inspiration loomed large for 53 fourth graders from St. James School who began their school week with a field trip to see the library's LEGO® ART+SCIENCE=ARCHITECTURE exhibit which features 13 world-famous landmarks built entirely out of LEGO® bricks. The students came with an important assignment - to think about how they too can build models. Theirs will be Midwest landmarks and will be part of the school’s Creative Learning Fair at the end of May.
"The students were reading the exhibit signs and really paying close attention to how many hours and how much hard work went into
Congratulations to Kerry W. Pearson and Carole Medal who have been elected to the Board of Library Trustees.
The Cook County Clerk's office released vote totals on Wednesday, April 15. They reported that Pearson, a board member since 2003, and Medal, one of three write-in candidates, received the most votes from the April 7 election. A recap of the library board election is reported in the Daily Herald.
Kerry and Carole will be sworn in to office at the May 19 Board of Library Trustees meeting to serve a six-year term.
Thanks to generosity of the Friends of the Library, programs in the Hendrickson Room are now much clearer for those with hearing aids and cochlear implants. An audio loop system has been installed that sends electromagnetic signals to a tiny receiver already in most hearing aids and cochlear implants. It allows people who use them to hear sounds directly from the AV system. This reduces or cuts out background noise making it much easier to hear. To use the system, attendees need only set their hearing aids to the T (telecoil) setting.
In addition to the audio loop
Technology was the word of the day as members of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce jump started their morning, Thursday, March 19, learning about the latest tech tools and business services available at the library. It was all part of the library's Technology Breakfast Buffet. More than 40 local businesses and community leaders took part in the early-morning event which kicked off with a demonstration of the Oculus Rift, the library's newest virtual reality device.
"It was really awesome," said Village Trustee Robin LaBedz, who wore the ski goggle-like headset and experienced a virtual trip through space
When John Mazurek, a member of local knitting club that meets weekly at the library, moved away last December, his leaving inspired the group to become crafty in more ways than one.
“We wanted to stay in touch with John, and we knew the library offers all types of technology classes, " says Margaret Balazs, one of fifteen women who make up the remainder of the class. “So on a whim I called and asked, ‘Can you teach us how to Skype?’”
The answer was “yes.” Through a new library service called Tech à la Carte, Digital Services
It's official! Arlington Heights won WGN-TV's first Battle of the 'Burbs, edging out Mount Prospect, 4-3, in a wacky games showdown featured on the Morning News, Thursday, February 19.
Hosted by WGN's Ana Belaval, Team Arlington Heights included the library’s Executive Director Jason Kuhl along with Mayor Tom Hayes, Arlington Park Bugler Monica Benson, SALUTE Founder Will Beiersdorf, and Chicago AAA Insurance Agent Matthew Staley. Mount Prospect's team included Mayor Arlene Juracek along with four other local leaders and business owners.
The competition played out throughout the morning broadcast and included a series of zaney events ranging
The library celebrated all things Harry Potter on Thursday, February 5 and more than 200 people turned out for an evening of fun fit for a wizard. Wearing costumes and signature Harry styles, participants soaked in the magic and rolled up their sleeves for Hogwarts-themed activities in the Marketplace, the Hub and Kids' World: a potions class, owl examinations, a chance to make a Golden Snitch and the opportunity to don the Sorting Hat. Awards were given for best costumes and both wizards and Muggles alike enjoyed Harry Potter-inspired treats.
Harry Potter Book Night was a first time
Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth visited the library on February 22 to talk about the importance of STEM education (Science,Technology,Engineering and Math) and to promote the House App Challenge, the first nationwide STEM academic competition open to high school students. Joining Duckworth on a panel were, left to right, the library's Teen Services Manager Tom Spicer, Kids' World Manager Amber Creger, Jeremiah Nelson of Motorola Solutions and Jennifer Kopach of Science Olympiad. Also attending were community leaders, parents, students and educators, including members of the WildStang Robotics team and their leader, Rolling Meadows High
How do you take an existing product and make it better? Just ask the 29 eighth graders at Thomas Middle School who recently completed a new, 9-week elective focused on three-dimensional printing, research and design. Titled 3D RD, the first-time course challenged the students to create or redesign every day products using 3D technology resources available both at school and at the library including Tinkercad, an online design application, and the Hub’s MakerBot 3D printer.
The course culminated on January 20 when the students presented their final 3D projects before an audience of some 50 parents and teachers. Thomas
In recognition of the library's recent five-star rating, Illinois State Representative David Harris delivered a special congratulatory message direct from Springfield to the Library Board of Trustees. Speaking at their monthly meeting on January 20, Harris presented the Illinois House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition to Board President Kerry Pearson and Executive Director Jason Kuhl. The certificate reads:
"The 98th General Assembly, House of Representatives, acknowledges Arlington Heights Memorial Library in recognition of receiving a five star rating in Library Journal's national rating of public libraries for seven years in a row."
The library was one