DGPL Celebrates 125 Years Teens Share Their Photography Work

Downers Grove
Public Library
Vol. 30 No. 1
January/February 2016
Discoveries
There’s
more inside!
Staff Milestones
New Magazines
DGPL
Celebrates
125 Years
In 1891, the Ladies
Library Association began
a small reading room above
the Farmers and Merchants
Bank on the northeast corner of Main and Curtiss. It
held almost 700 items. In
Photo courtesy of the Downers Grove Museum
1915, a new brick building
was built with financial help from the Carnegie Foundation at the library’s current location
on Forest and Curtiss. Since then there have been expansions, reorganizations, new constructions, and the most recent, an interior renovation completed in 2014.
Now, 125 years after the reading room opened, our mission remains—serving the community’s informational, educational, inspirational, and entertainment needs. We’re celebrating this milestone all
year long, with a variety of historic portrayals, gallery displays, activities, musical performances, storytimes, trivia, and even a birthday
party in the fall. We hope you’ll join us! See www.dglibrary.org/125
for upcoming events.
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Teens Share Their Photography Work
•Meet the Bookologists
•Director Search
•Genealogy Club
Over the past two months, View from Behind the Lens participants enhanced their
photography skills, from taking the perfect photo to editing the final shot. Classes were
taught by College of DuPage photography professor Michael Taylor.
Teen Services Coordinator Lynette Pitrak modeled this program after a successful
documentary creation class held last fall. She’s impressed with the students’ ability to
improve their understanding of things like
shutter speed, lighting, and subject framing, as well as their skills in using the camera. “They are really developing their own
styles and personal ways of looking at the
world. Two students can be standing next
to each other taking pictures, and the final
images will turn out completely different!”
See the results of their hard work in the
North Gallery beginning February 2. Meet
the teens at a reception in the first-floor
lobby on Sunday, February 28 from 2:00 –
3:00 p.m.
Meet the Bookologists
➤ Book Discussions
Bookology… it’s the science of good books. Get to know one of our
expert Bookologists each month. See www.dglibrary.org/books/bookology.
Books are available one month before discussions.
Held in Conference Room A.
Nonfiction
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan
Didion
Mon., Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Fiction
The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar
Thurs., Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.
January – Melissa enjoys audiobooks, biographies, and reading
“whatever everyone is talking
about.” Her recommendations
include woodworking books to get
you started.
February – Kelly enjoys memoirs,
nonfiction books, and movies.
Among others, she recommends
several books about art styles that
are easily developed, copied, or
“borrowed.”
Documents Notarized for Free
The library has several notaries on staff. If you have a document that
requires a notary, call (630) 960–1200 to check staff availability.
Director Search Underway
After Library Director Rick Ashton announced his retirement for March
of 2016, the Board of Trustees got to work. On December 4, they agreed
to hire Bradbury Associates to lead a national search for our next director.
Bradbury Associates and the Board of Trustees will spend the next several
months announcing the opportunity, evaluating candidates, and coordinating interviews. See www.dglibrary.org/events for special Board meetings that
are scheduled.
Just for Teens
Register at www.dglibrary.org/events for these programs.
TinkerCad & 3D Printing
Thurs., Jan. 21, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Training Room
Beginning Garage Band
Thurs., Feb. 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Teen Central
Learn to code using Tinkercad.
Create a fun 3D design to print on
the library’s 3D printer.
Local composer Sharon West demonstrates how to use popular music software to make music on your computer.
Bring your questions and creativity!
FAFSA Workshop
Sat., Jan. 30, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 13
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Conference Room A
An Illinois Student Assistance
Commission representative provides
one-on-one assistance. Students will
be contacted with their check-in
time and which documents to bring.
Interview Skills for Teens
Thurs., Mar. 3, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Meeting Room
Chris Miller, COD Professor of Speech
Communications, relays tips and tricks
to be at your best for college admission,
scholarship, and job interviews. Oneon-one practice time will be included.
➤ In the Gallery
January – Professional Art Quilt Alliance
February – North Gallery: View from Behind
the Lens; Café Gallery: Barbara McCartney
➤ Friends of the Library
Adventures in Travel
Sailing Through the South Atlantic
with Andrew Orr
Fri. Jan. 22, 7:00 p.m.
To Be Announced
Fri., Feb. 19, 7:00 p.m.
Writers Workshop
Mondays, Jan. 11, 25; Feb. 8, 22, 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Room North
➤ Library Closings
• Thurs., Dec. 31, close at 5:00 p.m. –
New Year’s Eve
• Fri., Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
• Fri., Jan. 15 – Staff In-Service Day
Adult & Teen Programs
See full descriptions online. All programs held
in the Meeting Room unless otherwise noted.
➤Celebrating 125 Years
Join us for our year-long birthday celebration.
Suenos Latin Jazz Quartet
Sun., Jan. 10, 2:00 p.m. 
English Conversation Group
Sun., Jan. 17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 21, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
➤ Computer Classes
Training Room. Email address and password
may be required.
Internet for Seniors: Beginner
Tues., Jan. 5, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
Office 2016 Overview
Tues., Jan. 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Songs tracing the history of Latin-American
jazz from the early 1900s to today.
Google Docs Overview
Thurs., Jan. 7, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
Practice speaking English in a relaxed space.
Offered monthly. Led by Literacy DuPage.
Adventures in Broadcasting:
WGN Memories
Sat., Jan. 16, 2:00 p.m. 
Taxes Are Everyone’s Business
Tues., Jan. 19, 7:00 p.m. 
Intro to Twitter
Fri., Jan. 8, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
Fri., Feb. 5, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
Former TV and radio personality Gene
Doretti shares stories from working in the biz.
Judi Strauss reviews changes in tax laws.
Great Decisions
Tues., Jan. 26, 7:00 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m.
Mon., Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m.
Tues., Feb. 9, 7:00 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 16, 9:30 a.m.
Tues., Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m.
Tues., Feb. 23, 7:00 p.m.
Discuss foreign policy and current events.
Contact Nancy Peraino at (630) 968–8706.
Adult Coloring Meetup
Thurs., Jan. 28, 7:00 p.m.
Ballydoyle, 5157 Main St.
Drop in for a drink and a relaxing night of
coloring. Ages 21+.
DG Music Club Concert Series
Tues., Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m.
Music for a winter’s evening.
Genealogy Club
Sat., Feb. 27, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
A new club is in town! Stop by to see what
we’re planning for 2016.
Meet Bertha Palmer
Sun., Jan. 31, 2:00 p.m. 
Leslie Goddard portrays the 1890s Chicago
socialite, wife of real estate magnate Potter
Palmer, and pace-setting arts patron.
1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
Sat., Feb. 13, 2:00 p.m. 
Art Historian Jeff Mishur explains the history,
design, and people who made it happen.
Cabaret Love Songs
Sun., Feb. 14, 2:00 p.m. 
Vocalist Rachel Peterson and pianist Mark
Streder perform favorites from over the years.
➤For Businesses
Lynda for Technology, Creative, and
Business Skills
Mon., Feb. 15, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 
Training Room
Use Lynda.com, a leading online learning
company, to increase your potential.
Internet for Seniors: Intermediate
Tues., Jan. 12, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
Intro to Excel 2016
Tues., Jan. 12, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Tues., Feb. 9, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Intro to PowerPoint 2016
Thurs., Jan. 14, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Facebook 101
Mon., Jan. 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Mon., Feb. 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Word 2016 Intermediate
Fri., Jan. 22, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Tues., Feb. 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Excel 2016 Intermediate
Tues., Jan. 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Tues., Feb. 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Intro to Word 2016
Thurs., Jan. 28, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
iPad Basics
Mon., Feb. 1, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Bring your device and Apple ID.
PowerPoint 2016 Intermediate
Thurs., Feb. 4, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Online Shopping
Thurs., Feb. 11, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Register in advance at www.dglibrary.
org/events or at a service desk.
Space is limited. DGPL card required.
Prerequisite required for class.
Individuals with disabilities can call three days
in advance to discuss possible accommodations.
Searching the Internet
Fri., Feb. 26, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Kids Programs
Programs and storytimes are held in the
Kids Program Room unless otherwise noted.
Drop-In Craft
Tues., Feb. 23, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ♥
➤ Storytimes
➤ For Families
Lego Build
Build your own creations with our Legos.
Theme: Imaginary Creatures
Thurs., Jan. 21, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ♥
Saturday Morning Storytime
Saturdays, Jan. 2 – Feb. 27
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. ♥
Theme: Maze Making
Thurs., Feb. 18, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ♥
Weekday Open Storytimes
Mondays, Jan. 4 – Feb. 1
Tuesdays, Jan. 5 – Feb. 2
Wednesdays, Jan. 6 – Feb. 3
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. ♥
Bubble Wonders Show
Tues., Feb. 10, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ♥
Evening Open Storytimes
Wednesdays, Jan. 6 – Feb. 3
6:30 – 7:00 p.m. ♥
Register beginning Thurs., Jan. 7
Register beginning Thurs., Feb. 4
Bubble lovers enjoy tricks like the bubble volcano and dancing bubble.
Family Dance Party
Fri., Jan. 29, 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. ♥
Tottercize
Mondays, Jan. 4 – Feb. 1
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. ♥
Register beginning Thurs., Dec. 24
Dance the night away with our favorite
storytime songs!
Assists in developing healthy movement,
coordination, and balance. For children 3+.
Disney’s Frozen:
A Sing-Along Celebration!
Fri., Feb. 12, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ♥
Toddler Storytime
Tuesdays, Jan. 5 – Feb. 2
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. ♥
Wear your costumes and sing along!
For toddlers 12 – 36 months.
Saturday Family Movies
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Mini Mad Scientists
Wednesdays, Jan. 6 – Feb. 3
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. ♥
Sat., Jan. 9: Snow Day
Sat., Jan. 23: Eight Below
Sat., Feb. 6: Minions
Sat., Feb. 20: Toy Story
Science of bubbles, volcanoes, and more!
➤ For School-Age Children
Chicago Wolves Read to Succeed
Winter Reading Program
January 4 – 31
Fill out a raffle entry for every book you
read to try for a Wolves prize pack! For
independent readers through grade 8.
Chicago Wolves Read to Succeed
Player Visit
Thurs., Mar. 3, 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Meet a Chicago Wolves hockey player.
Bookmark Contest
January 4 – February 8
Grades K – 8
Pick up an entry form at the Kids Room
Desk. Judged and co-sponsored by the
Downers Grove Breakfast Kiwanis Club.
Karate Demonstration
Mon., Jan. 18, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
Learn karate moves from the True Balance
Karate Institute!
Homeschool Hangout Grades 4 – 8
Thurs., Jan. 21, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Thurs., Feb. 18, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Meet fellow homeschool kids for a tour of
the library and fun with technology.
Read to the Dogs
Thurs., Jan. 14, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 
Thurs., Feb. 11, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 
Schedule a 15-minute slot by calling the
Kids Room Desk at (630) 960–1200 starting
9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31.
BeTweens
Grades 4 – 8
Media Lab Tour
Thurs., Jan. 28, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Create and Learn: 3D Printer
➤ For Preschoolers
Thurs., Feb. 25, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Lyman Woods Presents: BugOut!
Tues., Feb. 16, 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. ♥
➤ STEM Room Activities
A naturalist talks about bugs!
School-Age
Tuesdays, Thursdays, 2:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Preschool
Thursdays, Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – Noon ♥
Video Games for All Ages
♥ Children must attend with an adult.
 Register online at www.dglibrary.org/
events, by phone, or in person. DGPL
card required. Space is limited.
See full program description online.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
1:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
From the
Director
I recently informed the
Library Board that I plan to
retire on March 31, 2016.
When I joined the Downers
Grove Public Library in 2011,
we agreed on a long To Do
List. It included the development of a strategic
plan, a strong emphasis on customer service,
support of an engaged staff, improvement of the
library building, and adoption of current technology.
We have checked off everything on the list, as
regular readers of this newsletter know. The library
is recognized for great service, skilled staff, a dynamic collection, a handsomely renovated building, and useful technological tools. There is always
a great deal more to do, but my part in this work
is just about done.
The Library Board has engaged Bradbury
Associates, a respected executive search firm specializing in library searches. Bradbury will help the
Board identify and hire the library’s next director.
Beginning in January, the Board and the consultants will seek information and ideas from members of the community. They will be interested in
identifying the skills and interests that the next
director should possess.
Meanwhile, the work of the library will go
on. More than a hundred dedicated full-time and
part-time staff members will open the doors, buy,
catalog, and shelve books, answer your questions,
design programs, and tell the world about all of
it. I’ll be helping for a while, and then it will be
someone else’s turn.
It has been a delightful adventure, a most
fulfilling encore performance. Thanks!
Rick Ashton
[email protected]
New Club Delves
Through the Past
Genealogy research is popular and interested
genealogists of all levels are invited to join us. Programs will encompass a variety of topics and will
include hands-on training, presentations, and even
some field trips. We want to hear your ideas. Stop
by the Meeting Room Saturday, February 27 from
2:00 – 3:00 p.m..
For questions or to get involved, email askus@
dglibrary.org or call (630) 960–1200.
Computer Update
Public computers are now equipped with Microsoft Office 2016.
Classes are available for those who would like to learn more. Go to www.
dglibrary.org/events to register. For one-on-one assistance, Book a Tech at
www.dglibrary.org/contact.
Conversation Group Gets
English Learners Talking
The library is partnering with Literacy DuPage to lead a conversation
group for English as a second language (ESL) learners. Join us the third
Sunday of each month at 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., beginning January 17. Regardless of native language, all are invited to attend to practice speaking English
in a welcoming atmosphere. Topics discussed will change month to month.
Email [email protected] with questions.
New Print Magazines Added
Enjoy these and hundreds of others on a variety of topics, all available
for checkout.
For Adults
• Ceramics Monthly – World’s largest ceramics magazine focusing on clay
from the maker’s perspective
• Mindful – Mindfulness, awareness, and compassion in all aspects of life
• National Geographic History – Civilization from ancient times to the
modern era
• Romantic Homes – Ideas, inspiration, and tips to create a romantic home
For Teens
• Alternative Press – New artists, latest trends in music and youth culture
New eMagazines with Zinio
These popular titles have been added to the list that can be downloaded
to a computer or device. Get started at www.dglibrary.org/elibrary.
• Backpacker
• Golf Digest
• HGTV Magazine
• Forbes
• Good Housekeeping
Learn a
New Language
with Mango
Say bonjour to Mango
Languages which teaches
real conversations in over 70
languages and 17 English
courses taught completely
in users’ native languages.
Each lesson combines real-life
situations and audio from
native speakers with simple,
clear instructions. Presented
with an appreciation for
cultural nuance and realworld application, the
courses focus on the four key elements of language learning: vocabulary,
pronunciation, grammar, and culture.
To try Mango, visit www.dglibrary.org/research. Call (630) 960–1200
with questions.
Staff Honored for Years of Service
Eleven staff members will be recognized for their years of service to the
library and the community. Books on topics of interest to each honoree will
be added to the collection in recognition of their dedication.
15 years:
10 years:
5 years:
Ray Papacek, Administration; Annie Jagielski, Information
Technology
Suzy Miller, Adult and Teen Services; Diane Jakosz, Suzanne
Thomas, Children’s Services; Loree Norberg, Information Technology
Dave Thoele, Administration; Sandy Feuillan, Debra Miller,
Circulation; Melissa Doornbos, Mary Styrczula, Public Relations
Discoveries brings news of services and
activities at the Downers Grove Public Library
to the 47,833 residents of Downers Grove.
Rick Ashton, Library Director
Melody A. Danley, Editor and Graphics
Library Hours
Monday – Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Library Board of Trustees
Wendee Greene, President
Thomas Read, Secretary
Ed Earl
Susan Eblen
David Humphreys
Art Jaros
The Board of Trustees meets in the Meeting
Room the fourth Wednesday of the month at
7:30 p.m. You are invited to attend.
Printed on recycled paper.
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1050 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 960–1200
www.dglibrary.org
Future Bestsellers
See more at www.dglibrary.org/books.
February
° Gail Lumet Buckley–The Black Calhouns:
From Civil War to Civil Rights with One
African American Family
° Marion Coutts–The Iceberg: A Memoir
° Adam Grant–Originals: How Non Conformists Move the World
• Debbie Macomber–A Girl’s Guide to
Moving On
• Joyce Maynard–Under the Influence
• Jo Nesbø–Midnight Sun
• James Patterson–NYPD Red 4
• J.D. Robb–Brotherhood in Death
March
° Douglas Brinkley–Rightful Heritage: Frank lin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America
° Augusten Burroughs–Lust & Wonder
• Tracy Chevalier–At the Edge of the Orchard
• Harlan Coben–Fool Me Once
° Timothy Egan–The Immortal Irishman:
The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an
American Hero
• Lisa Lutz–The Passenger
• Jacqueline Winspear–Journey to Munich
• fiction
° nonfiction