Gail Borden Public Library notes

Gail Borden Public Library

For information, call (847) 742-2411.

Sports Card Trading Club: The next meeting of the Sports Card Trading Club for boys and girls age 6 and older will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 14 in the South Storyroom.

Jeff Allison, a longtime sports trading card collector and enthusiast, will provide information about collecting and trading sports cards. Bring your own collection to show or trade.

A Tapestry of Freedom Project: A grant recently awarded to Gail Borden Public Library will bring myriad programs focusing on freedom to Elgin including a traveling exhibit, "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," on display at the library April 20 to May 30.

Other elements will include a replica miniature log cabin, author appearances, displays, hands-on activities and digital storytelling.

The library received a $63,830 LINCC: Libraries Innovate, Create and Collaborate Library Service and Technology Act Grant at the Illinois State Library on Oct. 17 to develop the project.

The project will spotlight the faces, feelings and histories of freedom as well as heighten understanding of the local area's historic role. Bilingual materials developed for all age levels will appeal to our diverse community.

In cooperation with educators, the library will create a Web page with downloadable teacher materials, student links and resources. Primary project objectives are to promote harmony, respect and unity among diverse ethnic, socio-economic and generations through storytelling, educational programs and working together as volunteers.

A Tapestry of Freedom is a four-month-long endeavor encompassing Black History Festival (February), Women's History (March), Cultural Diversity (April), Preservation Month (May), culminating with the National Endowment for the Humanities/American Library Association traveling exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation," which the library is scheduled to host from April 20 to May 30.

"This project is specially designed for community participation," said Miriam Lytle, project grant writer and coordinator. Partners include the Elgin Human Relations Commission, Elgin Academy, Elgin Area Historical Museum and Society, Elgin Community College Continuing Education, Library of Congress Veterans History Project and local interest groups such as LINKS, a black women's organization devoted to education and justice; League of United Latin American Citizens; the Veterans Memorial Committee; and St. James Parish.

If you have historic artifacts for display or are interested in getting involved, contact Miriam Lytle at (847) 608-5027 or mlytle@gailborden.info.

If you are a combat veteran of World War II or the Korean War, call Sara Sabo at (847) 429-5984.

New collection of illustrated fiction: If a picture is worth a thousand words, primary grade kids are now in luck. The new Illustrated Fiction collection in the Youth Center features short books with lots of illustrations.

These books are for children in search of more challenging text. Short enough to read in one sitting, they are perfect for shared bedtime reading. Many are based on actual historical time periods or drawn from true events.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?: Language professor Dennis Schwank is considering a new library Community Group for German speakers.

For more information, contact Miriam Lytle at mlytle@gailborden.info or (847) 608-5027.

Sports card donations needed: The Sports Card Trading Club is seeking donations of sports trading cards to be used at the club meetings as prizes for correct answers to sports trivia questions.

Autographed and jersey cards are used during the meetings in a "bank" program for participants who read for points. Any sport is acceptable, and cards from the year 2000 and newer would be greatly appreciated. Drop off cards at the Youth Center Help Desk.

For more information, call Carol Skelton at (847) 608-5011.

General info:ŒThe Gail Borden Public Library provides a wide range of materials, programs, and services to more than 120,000 library district residents in Elgin, South Elgin, and portions of Bartlett, Hoffman Estates, and Streamwood.

This district is one of the largest in Illinois, based on population, and covers approximately 50 square miles in Kane and Cook counties.

For more information, call (847) 742-2411, or visit online at gailborden.info for access to the electronic card catalog, over 1,400 electronic magazines, and more.