During the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election, three candidates will compete for two seats on the Vernon Area Public Library Board of Trustees. 

As an informational resource, the library asked candidates to provide answers to a few basic questions. Their unedited responses are offered below. Please click through each tab to read responses from each candidate. The tabs are listed in ballot order.

Vernon Area Public Library joins libraries across Illinois to host an online event with entertaining and hilarious New York Times best-selling science author Mary Roach on Wednesday, March 1, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; advance signup is required to receive the Zoom link. Sign up online or call 224-543-1485. 

Roach has been dubbed “America’s funniest science writer” by The Washington Post. She is the author of Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, and Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Her most recent book, Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, published in September 2021.

In this online appearance, Roach will explore the weird, wonderful world in which we live and discuss her frank approach to science and the importance of humor. 

This event will feature live captioning in keeping with our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. 

About Mary Roach

Roach has written for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times Magazine, and the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, among others. She was a guest editor of the Best American Science and Nature Writing series and an Osher Fellow with the San Francisco Exploratorium and serves as an advisor for Orion and Undark magazines. She has been a finalist for the Royal Society's Winton Prize and winner of the American Engineering Societies' Engineering Journalism Award. Her books have been published in 21 languages. 

About moderator Annalee Newitz

Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of “Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age” and “Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction,” which was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize in science. They are also the author of the novels “The Terraformers” (forthcoming in January 2023), “The Future of Another Timeline,” and “Autonomous,” which won the Lambda Literary Award. 

As a journalist, they write for The New York Times and New Scientist. They have published in The Washington Post, Slate, Popular Science, Ars Technica, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among others. They are the co-host of the Hugo Award-winning podcast “Our Opinions Are Correct.” Previously, they were the founder of io9 and served as the editor-in-chief of Gizmodo.

About Illinois Libraries Present

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. 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). 

A grand finale event with author Jasmin Darznik on Sunday, February 26, will cap the seventh annual “One Book, One Community” series for hundreds of north suburban readers.

• Sign up to attend

Each winter for the past seven years, Cook Memorial, Indian Trails, and Vernon Area public libraries have encouraged readers in Buffalo Grove, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Wheeling and surrounding communities to connect around a single book. 

To accomplish this initiative, partnering libraries place hundreds of copies of the selected book with community members through giveaways and print, audiobook and e-book checkouts. 

This year’s selection is The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik. This historical fiction captures a glittering and gritty 1920s San Francisco through the lens of a young Dorothea Lange, just starting on her path to becoming part of San Francisco’s art scene and American photography history. A vivid and absorbing portrait of the past, it is also eerily resonant with contemporary themes, as anti-immigration sentiment, corrupt politicians, and a devastating pandemic. 

On Sunday, February 26, from 1-2:30 p.m., at Stevenson High School, Darznik will speak about the inspiration behind the novel’s writing. Her books will be available for purchase courtesy of the Book Bin of Northbrook. The event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Both in-person and online attendance options are available. Tickets are required. Visit 1book.org for more information.

ABOUT ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY
Past literary selections included This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel, Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson, Circe by Madeline Miller, The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar, Stolen Beauty by Laurie Lico Albanese and Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.

The series fosters open dialogue and builds community. By inviting participants to attend events hosted by the partners, the libraries encourage participants to discover their community as more than a single municipality or library district. Attendees are empowered to connect to a larger world. 

Explore More Illinois is a free service provided by your library that provides instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theaters and other local cultural venues.

In honor of Black History Month, several “Explore More” destinations are offering special events and exhibits highlighting African American history and contributions. Each of the below is included with your Explore More admission.

Did you know Black History Month originated in Chicago? Explore the Bronzeville origins of Black History Month at the Chicago History Museum on Saturday, February 25. Meet Bronzeville community advocacy organizations, get an up-close look at Bronzeville materials from Chicago History Month’s collections, and participate in a meet-and-greet with a reenactor of journalist and activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Get $3 off admission when you log in to Explore More Illinois. 

Immerse yourself in “Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice” at the American Writers Museum in Chicago. Explore and better understand racial justice in America by examining the work of Black American writers from the end of the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit features original artwork, augmented reality and other interactive elements that enliven and enrich the experience. Save 50% on adult admission when you get a pass through Explore More Illinois. Children 12 and under are always free.

Also at the American Writers Museum: Discover the incredible legacy and enduring impact of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, as well as other Black writers who came before and after him. Frederick Douglass–themed tours are offered daily at 3:00 p.m. through February 28. The tour is included with museum admission and no advanced registration is required. Tours begin at the Museum front desk.

The annual Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago features painting, drawings, fine art prints, sculpture, mixed-media, ceramics, and photography by African American artists from around the country. This exhibition continues through April 23. Download a promo code for $5 off admission when you log in to Explore More Illinois.

About Explore More Illinois
Library card holders can request and print passes from home — no library visit is required. Log in using the number on your Vernon Area Public Library card and your PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number). Or visit the Checkout Desk in the library if you’d like us to do it for you.

Explore More Illinois passes must be reserved for a specific date. Some attractions require you to print the pass; others will accept a copy on your phone. Other restrictions may apply. Be sure to read the instructions for your choice of destination. Contact the museum directly if you have questions.

We believe libraries are for everyone. To that end, we offer a range of access options so that every patron can feel welcome and safe when engaging with their library. 

To better serve patrons who are immunocompromised or at higher risk — or anyone who prefers an environment where everyone is wearing a mask — early entry for “mask required” access is available. The service is similar to special shopping hours offered by many retail stores.

Visitors may enter the library 30 minutes before opening to browse the shelves or use the computers or copy center with the comfort of knowing everyone in the space is wearing a mask. NEW: No signup is required. Just visit! Find hours at VAPLD.info/calendar or by calling the adult desk at 224-543-1485.

When you enter the library before hours, you agree that everyone over age 2 in your party will wear a properly fitting mask during this special access period. Library staff passing through spaces accessible by the public will also be masked.

Services during this hour are limited to unaided:

• shelf browsing
• self-service checkout (VAPLD card required)
• self-service public computer use (VAPLD card required)
• self-service copy center use (bring correct change, see Copy Center info for rates)

Personal assistance is not available. Contactless options are available during regular operating hours for library services such as account matters and reference assistance. Many library programs are offered online or with a choice of in-person or online attendance.

The library has prioritized health and safety of patrons and staff throughout the pandemic. Significant safety measures are in place at all times, including enhanced ventilation, a vaccine mandate for library employees, and constant monitoring of the local environment.

Your questions or feedback are welcomed. Contact us.

Words have power. Ideas have influence. To bring this message to residents, Vernon Area and other public libraries across Illinois are partnering to present “Saying ‘Yes’ to Your Story: A Conversation with Kwame Alexander” for young people and their families on Wednesday, February 8, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. Admission is free. Sign up on Zoom to receive the link.

Alexander will share ways anyone can harness the power of words and storytelling for change. He will recount his own writing journey and offer encouragement and ideas of how to stay strong when faced with initial rejection.

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, publisher and New York Times bestselling author of 36 books, including “Swing”; “Becoming Muhammad Ali,” coauthored with James Patterson; “Rebound,” which was shortlisted for the prestigious UK Carnegie Medal; The Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor-winning picture book “The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson; and his Newbery Medal-winning middle grade novel, “The Crossover,” which is also a TV series on Disney+. A regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, Alexander is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and The Coretta Scott King Author Honor. In 2018, he opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an international literacy program he co-founded. Alexander’s novel “The Door of No Return'' was featured at the 2022 National Book Festival.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.

Kick off your new year with an online conversation about joy with best-selling essayist and award-winning poet Ross Gay, hosted by more than 200 Illinois public libraries.

Gay is the author of “Inciting Joy,” a collection of essays about centering the people and things we love and that bring us together. In these gorgeously written and timely pieces, Gay considers the joy we incite when we care for each other, especially during life’s inevitable hardships. Throughout “Inciting Joy,” he explores how we can practice recognizing and expanding that connection.

To bring this message to residents, Vernon Area and other public libraries across the state are partnering to present “Inciting Joy: A Conversation with Ross Gay” on Wednesday, January 11, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. Performance poet Dan “Sully” Sullivan will join Ross in conversation. Admission is free.

Gay has also penned four books of poetry, including a National Book Critics Circle Award award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. His 2019 collection of essays, “The Book of Delights,” was a New York Times bestseller.

• Ross Gay in the library catalog
• Ross Gay in cloudLibrary 
• The Book of Delights no-wait audiobook on hoopla

Dan “Sully” Sullivan is a three-time Chicago Poetry Slam Champion. His poems and performances have been featured on HBO Def Poetry Jam, WGN Morning News, and National Public Radio. Sully’s first full-length book of poems, “The Blue Line Home,” is available from EM-Press.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.

About Illinois Libraries Present

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. 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). 
​

Vernon Area Public Library is named among America’s Star Libraries for 2022, as announced by Library Journal this month. The distinction places the library in Lincolnshire among the top 20 public libraries in the U.S. in its budget category.

America’s Star Libraries is an annual ranking of public libraries by trade publication Library Journal. The index scores libraries according to amount of use, including in-person visits, circulation and use of electronic resources.

Among the more than 5,300 public libraries assessed for 2022, the top performers — "Star Libraries" — are assigned three, four, or five stars, much like Michelin Guide ratings. The result is a short list of public libraries nationwide that demonstrate the highest level of service to their communities. Vernon Area Public Library District received four stars.

“Libraries across the nation adapted services quickly to serve patrons during the first year of COVID. To be recognized by LJ for our work in 2020 is a wonderful honor. Our staff's connection to the community is a big part of our success,” said Library Director Anne Rasmussen.

2022 Star Library status was awarded to just 258 libraries nationwide. Neighboring Cook Memorial, Deerfield, Ela Area, and Indian Trails libraries also received recognition. 

Scores and ratings are based on the most recent data in the national database at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The data used for the 2022 rankings is from fiscal year 2020 — the first pandemic year.

During that measurement period, public libraries across the United States were affected dramatically by COVID, which changed and complicated the statistics for the year. Even so, Vernon Area ranked near the top.

At Vernon Area, door count and checkout of physical items decreased compared to previous years. Checkouts of digital materials such as e-books, downloadable audiobooks and streaming movies and TV increased. Program attendance remained level as staff quickly pivoted to online and attendees embraced the new format.

Jasmin Darznik is the New York Times bestselling author of three books, including The Bohemians, a novel that imagines the friendship between photographer Dorothea Lange and her Chinese American assistant in 1920s San Francisco. The Bohemians is this year's One Book, One Community selection. We had a chance to ask her a few questions:

You were born in Tehran and came to the U.S. as a small child. Lange was born on the East Coast and moved to San Francisco as a young woman. Are there elements of Dorothea’s story that you recognized in your own experience?

Having grown up in an immigrant family, I could well imagine the disorientation Lange must have felt when she was marooned in San Francisco in 1918. My telling of how she was robbed soon after she arrived in the city is true to the facts of her life, as is the larger narrative about how she fashioned a new life and a new self for herself once she came to California. I’m fascinated by how such accidents of history and circumstance shape us. Particularly for artists and writers these ruptures can change the course of one’s life. I really don't know if I would have become a writer if I hadn’t experienced immigration. It’s fundamental to how I see the world, a source of confusion and pain, but also of creativity. 

There is an interesting parallel between the way people accept photography as objectively true and the way people internalize historical fiction. How would you say the concept of “truth” relates to both photography and historical fiction writing? 

A photograph, no matter how seemingly documentary, is always also a reflection of the person who takes it. Historical fiction works in much the same way. What I see when I look back to the 1920s may differ quite radically from how others see it. When I looked at Dorothea Lange’s life my eye was drawn to the period of time when she was still finding herself. I was also intrigued by the mention of her Chinese American assistant. It occupies just a few paragraphs in her biography, but that relationship made me see not only Lange but her times in a different way. And yet there is a veracity to the tale, just as there is a veracity to a photograph. It's a version of her story that’s consonant with the known parts of her story. It's just that it draws on imagination to make it come alive.

Though this book is set more than 100 years ago, readers won’t have to work hard to find similarities to today. What wisdom or learning from the book do you hope readers might find useful in their own lives?
The idea of who is or can become American was hotly contested in the 1920s. That was a time of massive immigration, and it spurred white nationalist movements and anti-immigrant legislation. A hundred years later the fault lines of American history fall along those same lines. Racism and sexism are as much a part of our world as they were of Lange's. One thing that has changed is that we now have storytellers who're bringing unseen stories into the frame. That's definitely what most excites me as a novelist — that power to make the hidden parts of our history more visible.   

What’s next?

I'm working on a novel set in Old Hollywood. It's about an actress, so it has me exploring new worlds. Like the world of The Bohemians, there's glitter and glitz, but also a story of a woman coming into her own. Lots of work to go on it, but I'm enjoying the research and writing tremendously.

Meet Jasmin at the One Book grand finale author event on February 26 at Stevenson High School auditorium or on Zoom. Check out and read a copy of The Bohemians between now and then, and attend related book discussions, lectures, and performances at any participating library. Learn more at 1book.org.

​Vernon Area Public Library will join libraries across Illinois to host a virtual event with Midwest Made cookbook author Shauna Sever. Sever will discuss holiday baking with Chicago Tribune food critic and podcast host Louisa Chu. The event will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, December 13, at 7 p.m.

• ​SIGN UP

Shauna will share her love of food, baking, and some tips to make your holiday gatherings delicious. As a writer, Shauna’s work is best defined by her baking-centric cookbooks. Her fourth, Midwest Made: Big, Bold Baking from the Heartland, was named among the Best Baking Cookbooks of 2019 by The New York Times.

The event is free and open to all. Signup is required.

The event with Shauna Sever is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), 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. 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).