The Words & Music Program provides patrons of Chicagoland libraries complimentary lawn passes to attend concerts featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and other classical artists every season. This summer season, guests from suburban libraries in the greater Chicago Metropolitan area and the Chicago Public Library can attend 11 concerts. More information on each concert and […]
Ravinia Words & Music 2026 Read More »
Books plant the seeds of curiosity and empathy in readers of all ages. And readers of all ages are invited to join this year’s Summer Reading challenge: Plant a Seed, Read! Sign up at the Reference desk after June 1, or register on Beanstack. Play along with our gamified reading quest at the desk. Collect
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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore your State’s natural and historical resources this summer. Available 24/7, the Explore More Illinois resource allows you to use your library card to get free or reduced cost access to dozens of sites and facilities around the State of Illinois. Login with your card and pin number.
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by Huw Richards and Sam Cooper Sam Cooper goes by the name Chef Sam Black on Instagram and Substack, where he posts fantastic content – videos of fermentation recipes, food growing instruction, and notes on his personal philosophy. His soft voice, Welsh accent, and various bubbling mysterious ferments are an oasis of calm and positivity
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by Emily Austin This story explores themes of grief, mental illness, executive dysfunction, and religiosity. We follow our main character, Gilda, as she desperately seeks mental healthcare from apathetic practitioners. An advertisement for free therapy leads her to a catholic church where she is inadvertently employed as a secretary. She successfully (and miserably) hides her identity
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by John Scalzi I love John Scalzi. I think he’s worth every cent of his 10-year, multi-million dollar contract with Tor books. This one was brief. Short, and stand-alone. Didn’t hold a candle to his Old Man’s War series, but few books do, and overall I was much entertained. Charlie’s rich and reclusive uncle has
by Martha Wells Martha Wells has been around the Sci-Fi/Fantasy community for a long time, but it was only relatively recently that she burst into super-stardom (relatively speaking, at least . . . I mean . . . books) with the publication of her Murderbot series. In Witch King, Wells returns to her swords and
by Sunyi Dean If a librarian were to write a book about vampires . . . If a librarian who was sick and tired of vampires were to write a book about vampires, this would be it. There’s no metaphor at work here. The book eaters don’t “consume” books and knowledge through voracious reading. They
by Philipp Schott Small-town veterinarian Dr. Peter Bannerman is returning home from a house call early one morning when he sees a pig barn on fire. Before rescue services can arrive, the building explodes, killing all fifty-four heritage breed pigs inside. A serious enough loss to the owner, Peter’s long-time friend Tom, but things get
by Lev A.C. Rosen Police Detective Andy Mills believes his life is over after being caught in the raid of a gay bar. In 1950s San Francisco, this was reason enough for him to be fired, publicly shamed, and targeted for attacks in the street. When he is approached by a woman who wants to
