Vernon Area Public Library notes

For more information or to register, call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.

All programs are free unless otherwise indicated. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call Shannon Galton at (847) 634-3650, ext. 137 or e-mail her at sgalton@vapld.info.

Business Clothing Drive: Through Nov. 18, the library will accept business clothes in excellent condition to be given to PADS, A Safe Place and Women's Residential Services.

Acceptable clothes include suits, sport blazers, collared and button-up shirts (not polo), dress pants, ties, skirts and dresses. For each item donated, patrons will receive $1 off any overdue fines (not lost, damaged or collection fees).

Preschool Saturdays: Join in for stories in the picture book area for preschool children and caregivers at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and Nov. 17 and 24. Registration is not required.

Chess Day: A chess tournament will be held early next year, and players can sharpen their skills with the help of chess instructor Robert Krause from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Author to discuss writing: Award-winning author Kimberly Willis Holt will discuss the writing process and help celebrate National Children's Book Week from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Her book "My Louisiana Sky" was an American Library Association Notable Book and Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults. "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" won the National Book Award. An autograph session will follow the program. Books will be available for purchase one hour prior to the program.

Preschool Storytime: This half-hour weekly program features stories, songs and fingerplays for children ages 3 to 5 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. or 2 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday or Nov. 15.

Storytelling with Antonio Sacre: Author and storyteller Antonio Sacre will entertain with humorous and intriguing stories from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Holistic medicine: In "Take Two Apples and Call Me in the Morning," Jerry Gore, M.D., director of the Center for Holistic Medicine, will explain the idea of using food instead of medicine to restore and protect health from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15.

Fighting identity theft: Cary Sue Lavan, vice president and branch manager for Midwest Bank, will provide participants with information to protect themselves from identity theft and discuss what victim should do, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 15.

Daniel Burnham's Chicago: Daniel Burnham's contributions to Chicago marked the birth of a modern American city. R.J. Lindsey will portray Burnham as he discusses his important works such as the World's Columbian Exposition Fair, The Rookery and Orchestra Hall, in "From Ashes to World Class City -- Daniel Burnham's Chicago." Lindsey will present slides of Burnham's work and fair memorabilia from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 19.

Kids Crafts for PADS: Enjoy an afternoon decorating and assembling children's place mats and gift bags to be donated to PADS Crisis Services, from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 20. Each bag will contain books, crayons, toothpaste and other essential items. Registration is not required.

Holiday Entertaining Guide: Designer Philomena Urhausen will demonstrate from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 27 a holiday table decoration to wow guests, and chef Carol Mackey will demonstrate holiday appetizers: smoked salmon spread on wonton chips, stilton watercress dip and olive tapenade. A tasting is included.

The Many Faces of Autism: A report by the Centers for Disease Control states that one in every 150 children in the U.S. has autism or a closely related disorder. Linda Hoeck, autism coordinator of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Association, will discuss various aspects of the disorder from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29.

E-mail hold notification: The Vernon Area Public Library is now offering e-mail hold notification.

When items patrons have requested become available, they can receive an e-mail to let them know that the items are at the Patron Services Desk. Patrons will have four days to pick up held items. Register for e-mail hold notification by visiting www.vapld.info or by visiting the Patron Services Desk and filling out a privacy permission form. Anyone already receiving due date e-mail reminders will automatically receive e-mail hold notification.