ICYMI: Recently released fiction & nonfiction for AANHPI Heritage Month

Collage of book covers

By Collection Management Librarians Dontaná & Kathy Check out these recently released fiction and nonfiction titles that might have flown under your radar. They are perfect for celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Hawaiian Mythology by Martha Beckwith Why you should try it: If you’ve made your way through the gateway … Read more

Celebrating Jewish American heritage

Book cover collage of Jewish American History Month titles

Your public library is here to connect you with books, online resources, and learning experiences that celebrate Jewish American history and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can: The month of May is recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month by the White House. Title suggestions for all ages Celebration event … Read more

Honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander heritage

Collage of books

Your public library is here to connect you with books, online resources, and learning experiences that honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and culture all year long. On this page, you can: The month of May is officially proclaimed by the White House as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month but … Read more

Celebrating Arab American heritage

Arab American Heritage Month display in the Main Lobby

Your public library is here to connect you with books, online resources, and learning experiences that celebrate Arab American history and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can: The month of April is recognized as Arab American Heritage Month in Illinois and the U.S. Title suggestions for all ages Celebration … Read more

Honoring women’s history

Collage of books

Your public library is here to connect us with each other through books, resources, and experiences that celebrate women’s history. Browse titles we suggest More from your digital library Register now to attend events Empower Her MentorshipWednesdays, March 6, 13 & 20, 4-5 pm, Main Library A mentoring program that develops life and leadership skills, … Read more

ICYMI: Recently released fiction & nonfiction

Book collage

By Collection Management Librarians Dontaná & Kathy Check out these recently released fiction and nonfiction titles that might have flown under your radar. They are perfect for celebrating Black History Month. Fiction Hush Harbor by Anise Vance Why you should try it: This gritty dystopian novel will make you think. Description: A resistance group takes America’s … Read more

Connecting you to Black history, then & now

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here to connect us with each other through books, resources, and experiences that celebrate Black history and culture. Browse titles we suggest More librarian-curated reading lists Ebooks, digital audiobooks, movies & more View the Julian Legacy Museum in the Idea Box The Julian Legacy Museum in the Main Library Idea Box … Read more

Honoring MLK Day: Books, a display, resources & more

Artistic rendering of Martin Luther King Jr. with an American flag in the background

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 15), all library buildings will be closed, and we’ve gathered together title suggestions, online resources, and more for you to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the best-known leaders of the civil rights movement. Check out these titles More from your digital library: Watch films … Read more

Transgender Awareness Week: Books, a workshop & resources

Transgender flag drawn in chalk

This November 13-19, we celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, an annual event dedicated to educating our communities about the lives of transgender people. Transgender Awareness Week takes place in the week leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20)—a day set aside to recognize each life lost during the year to transphobic violence around the … Read more

Book bans, censorship & intellectual freedom: Attend Saturday’s panel discussion

Headshots of four Barbara Ballinger Lecture presenters on teal background, with Barbara Ballinger Lecture logo

Across the United States, a movement has been growing to censor books in schools and public libraries, especially books by and about people of color and members of LGBTQ+ communities. As your public library, we will continue to make challenged and endangered books accessible to everyone, and to educate our community on the history and … Read more