Next week brings the start of two very special events to your library that will be of interest to you and your family.
Tuesday, May 27 through Friday, June 6, we will be hosting the first-in-the world virtual reality exhibition with five unique films featuring Holocaust survivors walking us through their memories and concentration camp experiences as they share their stories of survival.
“The Journey Back” applies cutting-edge technology to engage visitors with the survivors’ incredibly important stories via virtual reality headsets. We are privileged to share it with you, thanks to a generous loan from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
The films will show daily with group discussions. They average 17 minutes in length and you can watch one movie or all five for a total of 83.5 minutes. Each showing is limited to 10 people because that’s how many headsets we have.
“We will have staff and volunteers to help you set up the headsets,” said Judy Brennan. “As well, we encourage you to be prepared for an emotional response to these films and make self-care a priority before and after viewing. You also will want to consider what age is appropriate for children to attend.”
The films will show daily with group discussions. Please pick up a handout with all the dates and times at your library, or find them on our website.
On Friday afternoon, May 30, we are hosting the Summer Reading Kickoff Party from 1:30 – 4:30pm. Book lovers of all ages will enjoy food, crafts and fun at this annual event that marks the start of the many highly popular Summer Reading activities that result in many enjoyable experiences and prizes for all ages.
Watch for more details with dates and times of Summer Reading events and activities in future Library News columns throughout the summer.
Library closure
Your library will be closed May 26 for Memorial Day.
Self-care advice for teens/tweens
Rise Above Violence will host a free talk about the importance of taking care of yourself and your mental health tomorrow, Friday, May 23 from 2-3 p.m. at the library. This Rise event is part of an ongoing monthly series aimed at teens and tweens about forming healthy relationships and taking good care of yourself as well.
Craftapalooza tomorrow
All ages are invited to create a variety of crafts Friday, May 23 from 2-3:30 p.m. at this free event. All supplies provided.
Date changes for conversational Spanish
Conversational Spanish happens next Thursday, May 29 from 4-5 p.m. Then starting in June the group will move their days and gather on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 4-5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free group setting. No minimum skill level needed.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Tech Time schedule change
Free in-person slots are available from 2-4 p.m. only on Thursdays beginning this month. Judy helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you. Note: No Tech Time May 30.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5-6 p.m. for intermediate and 6-7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Clases de inglés
Clases gratis de inglés cada martes y jueves. Principiantes de 4-5 p.m., intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y advanzados de 6-7 p.m. Ayudenos a informar a todos quienes necesitan aprender inglés.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Poetry
“Dream of the Bird Tattoo” by Juan J. Morales is a memoir in poems about his father’s death and the grief that follows. The collection, the author’s fourth, showcases how our loved ones continue to live on in our memories and actions.
Nonfiction
“Covered with Night” by award-winning Nicole Eustace is a true crime reconstruction of the death of a Senaca hunter and its aftermath in Native American relationships with Anglo-American colonists. “Master Slave Husband and Wife” by Ilyon Woo is the true story of a couple’s escape from slavery posing as master and slave. We have five more Nolo guides: “Small Claims Court,” “Divorce,” “Credit Repair,” “Estate Planning” and “Executor’s Guide.” “Facing Hard Truths” by California businessman Stephen J. Cloobeck offers ways for Americans to pull together to help our country flourish.
Large print
“The Wager” by David Grann is the true story of mutiny and murder on a British warship in the 1740s. “The Sirens” by Emilia Hart is a historical feminist fantasy. “Gifted & Talented” by Olivie Blake focuses on a dead man’s three adult children wanting to inherit his wealth. “The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits” by Jennifer Weiner tells of the women’s lives after their music career ends. “Overkill” by J.A. Jance is an Ali Reynolds murder mystery. “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer brings Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge to young adult readers.
Novels
“Immortal Longings” and “Vilest Things” by Chloe Gong are epic romantic fantasies inspired by Shakespeare’s “Anthony and Cleopatra.” “Tough Luck” by Sandra Dallas features two children heading to Colorado Territory in 1863 to find their father. “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez is a romance focusing on a handsome veterinarian. “My Friends” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Hisham Matar follows a young Benghazi boy as he leaves his homeland for the University of Edinburgh. “Women’s Hotel” by Daniel M. Lavery is a poignant and funny look at the residents.
DVDs
We have volume one and volume two of the action and romance anime films “Kaze No Stigma” featuring Kazuma, an exiled fire magic user. “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” is the true story of a 12-year-old boy. “Lioness” is season two. “The Friday” is a three-movie collection of these buddy comedies.
Current donor guidelines
Friends of the Library have new guidelines for donations to the library. Books on time-sensitive topics that can quickly become out of date are wanted only if they have been published within the last five years. These subjects include politics/current events, health and medicine, sports/exercise, business, technology, science, education and travel guides. Not accepted are reference materials, textbooks and non-print material like CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray, VHS or cassette tapes because they do not sell at Friends of the Library sales.
When the library is open, high-quality used book donations are gratefully accepted at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints and all books in excellent condition, please.
Quotable Quote
“Imagining something may be the first step in making it happen, but it takes the real time and real efforts of real people to learn things, make things, turn thoughts into deeds or visions into inventions.” – Fred Rogers, also known as Mister Rogers (1928-2003). He was a Presbyterian minister, TV host, author and composer who was a pioneer in children’s programming, having created, hosted and written the preschool show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” from 1968 to 2001. He also composed the show’s music.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org