All Library staff will be on furlough Friday, May 22 to help cut costs related to the pandemic. Staff will not be available to answer questions or provide assistance. The Digital Library is open at epl.org.
For information focused specifically on children, read our latest KIDS Newsletter.
We will keep you updated through our social media channels, email, and at epl.org. Our bookdrops are currently closed; library materials are due on July 1. Public, in-person programs are cancelled through August 31. Our Summer Reading Program will be offered virtually, beginning June 1.
Falcon Banding and Naming
Virtual Falcon Banding with The Field Museum. Experience a falcon banding! The four peregrine falcons hatched at the Library’s nesting site will be banded by Mary Hennen from The Field Museum. Betsy Bird will be your host on Zoom. Please register. Saturday, June 6, 10 am
Help us name the falcons! Please submit your suggested names and include a reason for each name suggested. Winning names will be assigned at the banding event.
The Benefits of Virtual Book Groups
Jeny Wasilewski Mills leads the Readability Book Group from home
For some library patrons, the move to virtual programming has yielded some unexpected benefits. Since moving their meetings to Zoom and expanding from one to three meetings per week, the Readability Book Group at Evanston Public Library has seen membership double.
Readability is a book group for adults with mental and developmental disabilities which previously met at the library every Monday evening. Group leader Jeny Wasilewski Mills attributes the recent growth to the fact that some participants who might normally have trouble making it to weekly meetings at the library find it easier to attend virtual meetings from home.
Your Digital Library
The Digital Library with thousands of ebooks, eaudiobooks, streaming movies, newspapers, language learning, and research resources like Consumer Reports or Ancestry.com is always open. Your library card number is all you need to access many of these resources. For help using the Digital Library, call us at 847-448-8630 or view our newly created video tutorials in English and en Español
EPL Librarian and Collections Manager Betsy Bird has just written this piece on all the Video Tutorials we’ve been creating to help patrons use (and simply know about) our vast collection of free digital resources.
Library Events Via Zoom
Technology Tutorials: Organizing Photos with Your iPhone or iPad, Thursday, May 28; iPhone and iPad: The What, Why, and How, Thursday, June 4; iPhone and iPad Setting 1: Essential Settings, Thursday, June 11. Please register. All classes 11 am to 1 pm.
Chicago Ave/Main St. Branch Book Group: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Register. Monday, May 25, 7 pm
Keepin It Real Non-Fiction Book Group: It’s a Numberful World by Eddie Woo, Register. Tuesday, June 2, 7 pm
Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Group: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, Register. Wednesday, June 3, 7 pm.
Evanston Connects
Evanston Care Network Connects. This newly created database allows you to search for local free and low-cost access to services related to childcare, unemployment, job training, food, housing, and more. Go to evanstoncarenetwork.org. Assistance for using the database is available by calling 311 or the Evanston Public Library at 847-448-8630. All of the information is available in 100+ languages.
Evanston Art Connects. You’re invited to transform Evanston into a citywide art gallery through June 9! Read more. Meet Evanston Made founder Lisa Degliantoni on The Check Out podcast.
History Connects. The Evanston History Center is documenting the pandemic in Evanston. Help create the historical record by submitting photographs, written reflections, artifacts, and more. Contact Jenny Thompson for more information. Hear Jenny talk about collecting pandemic history on The Check Out Podcast.
Blood Drive Connects. The Levy Senior Center Community Blood Drive is on Friday, May 22. Schedule an appointment here. Eligibility and COVID-19 precautions information here.
Music Connects. Evanston resident Charlie Stone has started the Silver Music Series, offering free live music via Zoom. Enjoy curated music every Friday at noon. Interact with artists and other attendees. Always free and live. Register here.
Staff Recommendations
|
Mariana recommends Sin Pais available on Kanopy. A powerful movie depicting how a chance encounter with law enforcement could completely devastate an immigrant family. Heather recommends Commute: An Illustrated Memoir of Female Shame by Erin Williams.This graphic novel memoir is an important contribution to the Me Too movement that unfortunately will resonate with many women. Katy recommends The Leavers by Lisa Ko (audiobook, ebook). Deming/Daniel struggles with his history with his undocumented Chinese birth mother who disappeared mysteriously and his relationship with his adoptive white family. A powerful message about identity, immigration, imperfect love, and xenophobia. |
In Memoriam
 |
We are so very sad to share the news of the sudden passing this week of our colleague, Mustafa “Stan” Azeem. Stan was a beloved member of the EPL family, and well known throughout Evanston where he was born and raised. Stan was active with his place of worship, with Evanston youth athletics and mentorship, and through a variety of community events. In 2010, Stan, along with a team of Chicago firefighters, helped drive three ambulances down to Florida, where they were shipped to Haiti to aid in hurricane recovery. This effort was honored by Mayor Daley.
We remember and celebrate Stan for his gentle, kind heart, warm smile, and all the many ways he helped us all.
We’ll miss you Stan.
Call Us with Your Questions 847-448-8630
View our Library FAQs.