Event with Kal Penn May 74/26/2024 Vernon Area Public Library joins more than 200 public libraries across Illinois to host an online event, “The Many Lives of Kal Penn,” on Zoom on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to all; sign up at VAPLD.info/calendar or call 224-543-1485.
Kal Penn is an actor, writer, producer and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. His numerous television and film credits include “Designated Survivor,” “House,” Mira Nair’s “The Namesake,” the “Harold & Kumar” franchise, and a guest host of “The Daily Show.” Penn served as national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012 and on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities from 2013 to 2017. He taught courses at the University of Pennsylvania and UCLA. His first book, “You Can’t Be Serious,” was released in 2021. Originally from New Jersey, he received his undergraduate degree in sociology, theater, film, and television at UCLA and a graduate certificate in international security from Stanford University. Penn recently wrapped production on the Bloomberg Green documentary series, “Getting Warmer,” and the Viacom/Paramount+ comedy “Surina & Mel.” Joining Penn in conversation is Bridget Petrites, Library Assistant at Evanston Public Library, who will facilitate a game show–style experience highlighting the many accomplishments of Penn’s life. Audience members may submit questions in advance when they sign up for the event. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) debuted in 2022 as a way to bring virtual events with bestselling authors and diverse and esteemed speakers to communities across the state and counts more than 200 Illinois libraries as members. Joining forces for such events allow libraries to bring speakers to their communities that might not be possible due to budget constraints or production capabilities. In 2023, the initiative was recipient of the Illinois Library Association’s 2023 Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award for Interlibrary Cooperation, which is awarded annually in recognition of exceptional resource-sharing initiatives that benefit library users in Illinois. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Season 3 of Illinois Libraries Present will conclude in June with a presentation from Dr. Temple Grandin, academic and activist for animal welfare and people with autism.
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Eclipse Glasses for Cardholders4/1/2024 [UPDATED APRIL 3: SOLD OUT]
The Vernon Area Public Library distributed 1200 pairs of eclipse glasses to their cardholders at the beginning of April. The Chicagoland area will experience a partial solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Solar eclipse glasses are required in order to view the partial eclipse safely. Looking at the sun without a protective filter during a partial eclipse can cause permanent vision loss. The eclipse glasses came at no cost to library cardholders and their families. The library acquired 2,000 pairs of eclipse glasses through the SEAL (Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries) program. Approximately 800 pairs were distributed during the partial eclipse in October 2023. Families who kept their glasses from October 2023 can continue to use those. The balance of the donation -- 1200 pairs -- were handed out at the beginning of April 2024. During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking Earth’s view of some or all of it. This is possible because, from Earth, the sun and the moon appear roughly the same size in the sky. The continental United States will experience a partial eclipse on Monday, April 8. Northeastern Illinois will experience the event beginning at approximately 12:51 p.m. and lasting until 3:22 p.m. The total eclipse will only be visible over a path approximately 115 miles wide. The total eclipse path enters the US in southwest Texas and will move northeast across the continent, leaving the U.S. at the Gulf of Maine. Vernon Area Public Library cardholders can check whether glasses are still available by looking on the event listing on the library calendar. More information about the April 8 eclipse can be found at science.nasa.gov/eclipses. More information about safe solar viewing can be found at eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers. Board Adopts Strategic Framework3/25/2024 At their regular meeting on March 18, 2024, The Vernon Area Public Library District Board of Trustees officially adopted a Strategic Framework that will guide the activities of the library over the next four years.
Key activities highlighted in the plan include working with an architect to maximize public use of the library building and grounds and looking into a shared library catalog to provide patrons with access to more materials. Other action items include expanding the “Library of Things” (equipment that patrons can check out) and maker-type offerings for content creation. “As this library district completes its 50th year of stellar service to this community, this Strategic Framework will give us a strong start on another half-century of operational excellence,” said Library Director Anne Rasmussen. “We feel good about this plan,” Rassmussen added. “It's an investment in our future. It’s doable, it’s lofty, and it’s solid. We are all very excited to get moving on it.” The VAPLD Strategic Framework 2024–2027 draws upon research and outreach conducted by the library, along with recent findings from other organizations in the library service area, such as the planning studies and branding surveys by the villages of Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove. “This is excellent,” said Board President Marc Fenton. “All along the way you’ve kept us involved and asked for our input … I think it's great.” The public can view the full Strategic Framework document on the library website at VAPLD.info/StrategicPlan. An abbreviated one-page version is also available for pickup in the library. The Library App Is Back3/13/2024 We are pleased to announce the return of the Vernon Area Public Library app!
In November 2023, the developer of the library app terminated services without warning, a move that affected patrons of our library and many other public libraries across the US and Canada. Service is now restored. We have confirmed with the vendor that no further service interruptions are foreseen. “We know our patrons missed having an app,” said Library Director Anne Rasmussen. “We are very happy it is available again.” The library app provides convenient, one-stop access to browse or search the library catalog, manage holds, sign up for library events, reserve a study room, and get answers to your library questions via instant message. Additionally, the app serves as a portal to popular services for e-books, digital audiobooks, and streaming video, including Libby by OverDrive and Hoopla Digital. Another popular feature is the ability for users to store a digital copy of their library card, eliminating the need to carry a physical one. Apple and Android users can find the free download in their app store. If you need help or have a question about the app, please stop by the desk or call 224-543-1485. I still have the mobile app
I do not have the mobile app
Need help or have a question? Stop in or contact us! As early voting began this week at locations across Lake County, some voters found themselves wondering about the choices on their General Primary Election ballot.
“Voters may be less familiar with some of the down-ballot races,” said Vernon Area Public Library spokesperson Catherine Savage. “‘Delegates to the National Nominating Convention’ or ‘Precinct Committeeperson,’ for example.” Fortunately for the patrons of the Vernon Area Public Library, the library is helping voters navigate the 2024 election cycle by tapping the expertise of University of Illinois Chicago associate professor of Political Science & Psychology Alexandra Filindra, Ph.D., who is serving as a “Political Scientist in Residence” for the library. She recently responded to some questions about the spring ballot from library patrons: (Q): “Delegates to the national nominating convention” — what am I voting for? What happens if the candidate that wins the popular vote is different from the delegates who were elected? How does a person get to be a prospective delegate? (A) FILINDRA: The nominating conventions are party events so who ends up the nominee of the party depends on the party primary results and the other rules of the party. Each party has different ways of selecting delegates. You can find the Illinois Democratic Party’s plan on their website at http://ILdems.com. The Republican party’s rules are available on Ballotpedia (http://ballotpedia.org). Political parties have the sole authority to determine who their nominee is going to be. When a party does not have an incumbent president on the ticket (and the current situation today of both parties having someone who has been in the White House is very unusual), it is often the case that one candidate doesn’t secure all the delegates needed to win the nomination. In such a case, we may have a contested or a “brokered convention.” Most famously, the 1924 Democratic convention that pitted Al Smith against William McAdoo led to 103 rounds of balloting and took 17 days. Q: When the ballot says “Vote For One” and there's only one name, obviously my vote isn't going to make a difference whether they are selected or not. Is there any point in this exercise? A: Yes, there is. It tells the other parties, other candidates and voters that this person may be vulnerable, and the other party should field a candidate in the next election. Parties sometimes do not run candidates because they think they have no chance of winning. But if someone runs unopposed and wins with only a small proportion of all votes cast, that is important information. Q: “Precinct Committeeperson” — What do these folks do? A: This is a party representative at the local level (the “precinct”), and their job is to be the liaison between the party and the individual voter. Responsibilities of the post include facilitating voter registration and absentee ballot access; leading get-out-the-vote outreach efforts; distributing campaign and party literature; promoting the party; and addressing voter concerns. In many states Precinct Captains are also eligible to establish party unit committees for fundraising. “Fun fact,” added Filindra, “In Chicago, Michelle Obama’s father was a precinct captain and she got her first exposure to politics when he took her along to his rounds around the precinct.” Additional Information Throughout 2024, Filindra will lead lectures, provide recommended reading and create opportunities for library patrons to increase their understanding of US government and the election process. Through the end of March, a self-guided exhibit entitled “Know Your Local Government” is on display in the library lobby. The exhibit features an overview from Filindra, along with content from the villages of Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove, Vernon Township, and Lake County. Visitors are invited to engage with an interactive “Why I Love my Community” display. Finally, a recording of Filindra’s January lecture at the library, “Election Literacy 2024: Political Process & Psychology,” is viewable on the library’s YouTube channel. About Filindra Dr. Alexandra Filindra holds a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University and served as a post-doctoral researcher at Brown University’s Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions and the Center for the Study of Human Development. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, Policy Studies Journal, Regional Studies, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Harvard Education Review, Migration Studies, International Migration and other scholarly journals. Donate Dresses Through March 242/27/2024 Visitors to the Vernon Area Public Library are encouraged to drop off new or gently used formal dresses, dress shoes and other prom-appropriate accessories through March 24, 2024.
The donations will make their way to the “Pop Up Prom Shoppe,” a partnership among Mothers Trust Foundation (MTF), Zengeler Cleaners, College of Lake County and University Center of Lake County. The 2024 Pop Up Prom Shoppe will be held at the College of Lake County University Center, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake, on Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14, 2024. The event is open to any high school student in Lake County. A current high school ID is required for entry. The tagline for the Mothers Trust Pop Up Prom Shoppe is “It's more than a dress,” a sentiment that underscores its distinctive approach compared to other dress giveaways. The event pairs the formalwear giveaway with an informational session about higher education opportunities at College of Lake County and University Center, along with assistance filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In advance of the event, program partner Zengeler Cleaners inspects, cleans and repairs the donations as necessary to make sure the dresses are “prom-ready.” MTF volunteers sort the dresses by size, style and color, assuring the shopping experience is as smooth and easy as possible for students. More than 300 volunteers contribute to the success of the event. Those interested in attending or volunteering at the event or making a monetary donation should visit the Mothers Trust Foundation website at http://MothersTrustFoundation.org. The Vernon Area Public Library has served as a donation point for prom attire since 2010. In the past 14 years, library visitors have donated more than 700 dresses. Vernon Area Public Library District in Lincolnshire, Illinois, received $22,000 this month from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for costs associated with parking lot improvements.
The funds were part of a 2019 appropriation from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to local governments for planning, engineering, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, development, improvement and extension of the public infrastructure. The library replaced the public parking lot in 2021, after 30 years of use. The $22,000 award received this month reimburses the library for a portion of the associated cost. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grants are directed by the Governor and General Assembly to bolster the state's economy, promote a clean environment and improve the overall quality of life throughout the state of Illinois. Feb 29 Event with Rep. Adam Kinzinger2/16/2024 Vernon Area Public Library (Lincolnshire) joins more than 20 libraries across Illinois to host an online event with former US Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R, IL-16) on Thursday, February 29, at 7 p.m. on Zoom
Kinzinger will discuss his bestselling memoir, Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in our Divided Country. The book captures one of the most transformative periods in recent history in a personal account from inside Congress. From 2011–2022, Congressman Kinzinger served six terms in the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. Kinzinger was one of only two Republicans who served on the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. Kinzinger will be joined in conversation by award-winning journalist and interviewer Steve Edwards. Edwards is the former host of Chicago Public Radio’s “Eight Forty-Eight” and “The Afternoon Shift” programs. Edwards also helped launch and lead the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, a non-partisan program devoted to cultivating the next generation of public service leaders. “An Evening with Adam Kinzinger,” presented in partnership with 22 Illinois libraries, will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 29. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To sign up, visit the library's online calendar. University of Illinois Chicago associate professor of Political Science Dr. Alexandra Filindra will serve as Political Scientist in Residence at the Vernon Area Public Library District to help library patrons successfully navigate and engage with the 2024 election cycle. For many adults, United States civics and government classes were long ago and some of the procedural details may have been forgotten. For others, the 2024 elections may be their first time voting in the US. For all prospective voters, the library aims to be a reliable and nonpartisan source of accurate information. As Political Scientist in Residence for the library, Filindra will lead lectures, provide recommended reading, and create opportunities for residents to explore topics of importance to the Vernon Area community. “I look forward to answering questions about what we know about politics, why people behave the way they do in politics, and how to distinguish good information from bad information, said Filindra. “I hope to help people understand a little bit better about how the government works,” she noted. “Trust in our government is fundamental for tackling society’s major challenges.” The first lecture, “Election Literacy 2024: Political Process & Psychology,” will take place on Sunday, January 29, from 1-2 p.m. at the library and on Zoom. Participants will hear about the primary season, debates, and fundraising, along with some introductory concepts about how psychology plays a role in voter behavior.
Attendance is free and open to all; signup is required. Interested adults can sign up online, by telephone at 224-543-1485 or in person at the library. Filindra holds a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University and served as a post-doctoral researcher at Brown University’s Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions and the Center for the Study of Human Development. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Politics, Political Behavior, Policy Studies Journal, Regional Studies, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Harvard Education Review, Migration Studies, International Migration and other scholarly journals. This article was amended January 31 to clarify that Dr. Filindra holds a position at University of Illinois Chicago.
Public Input Sought for Improvement Plan1/17/2024 Community members are invited and encouraged to share their ideas and preferences as planning begins for improvements to the building and grounds of the Vernon Area Public Library. Associates from RATIO Design of Chicago will conduct two Planning Open House sessions open to the general public as they begin a conceptual study for redesign, remodeling and a possible addition to library building.
Residents are encouraged to drop in during either session to connect with the planning team. Attendees can review vision boards, share ideas, ask questions and express their desires and priorities.
RATIO representatives will also conduct targeted listening sessions with representatives from various stakeholder groups including community leaders, English as a Second Language students, young families and teens. Additional opportunities for public review and feedback will be made available online at VAPLD.info/LibraryPlan. The 2024 project will build on previous work that was underway when the COVID-19 pandemic began in spring 2020. Since 2020, public libraries have seen changes in patron behaviors, including demands for outdoor gathering spaces, a desire for ongoing hybrid-service delivery models and programs, and increased attention on building qualities such as physical security, air quality and environmental sustainability. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to align library plans with today’s service needs and expectations, rather than pre-2020,” said Vernon Area Library Director Anne Rasmussen. The project will assess and make recommendations about space use across the entire library campus, including the 50,000 square foot main building, the 10,000 square foot annex building, and the library grounds and parking areas. In addition to space use, architects will make sure all library spaces meet applicable standards for accessibility, air quality and environmental sustainability. The team will also evaluate the library building’s overall ability to accommodate future renovations. |
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