Gail Borden Public Library notes
The Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin, offers a variety of programs this winter. For details, call (847) 742-2411.
For all
The 2008-09 Lyric Opera Series continues: Music from the featured opera and a narrative description will be presented by Lyric Opera of Chicago educators. Programs take place on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the second floor conference room. Please register.
The program will be on "Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci" on Jan. 8. Denny Hayes will explain these two separate but similar operas about love triangles that end in murder.
"The Abduction from the Seraglio" will be the topic on Jan. 29. Mozart's lighthearted opera about a hero who rescues his beloved from a Turkish harem will be presented by Sue McCandless.
"Porgy and Bess" will be featured on Feb. 19. Kip Kelley will discuss this opera based on African-American life in the South during the 1920's.
Second Sunday concert: From 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, the gifted youth from the Academy Program at the Music Instiute at Chicago will perform individually on piano, violin and cello, then together as a chamber ensemble. The program will be held in the community room. Free tickets are available at the Greeter Desk and the second-floor information desk.
Looking for a gift idea: Consider your family's name on a commemorative tile or book spine. Choose from a wide variety of plant and animal tiles. The Fox River Mural was designed expressly for Gail Borden Library's first branch. For further information about giving a gift that supports the environment and the library that will benefit this community for decades, please visit www.gailborden.info/tilewall or stop by the main library at 270 N. Grove, Elgin to pick up a brochure.
Self-check machines: With library card registrations and circulation growing rapidly, the library has increased the number of self-check machines for customer check-out, each with the ability to accept payment for fines and fees.
Customers will be able to manage their own accounts at the self-check station, viewing items checked out or overdue and titles on hold or items available for pick-up. Fines and fees can be paid directly at the self-check station at the same time.
In order to provide a high level of security, a PIN (Personal Identification Number) is required for all checkout transactions. Staff members will assist you with any questions about your PIN. With these upgrades to the self-check system, staff members will now be in front of the counter to serve you and answer questions. However, for customers who prefer, the traditional checkout continues to be available.
New drop-off site: CVS Pharmacy in South Elgin is no longer a drop-off site for library materials. The new South Elgin drop-off site is Butera Market, 1175 W. Spring St. Books, videos and DVDs can be dropped off during store hours, which are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For adults
Music from the American Revolution through the Civil War Years: The music will be performed by Trillium from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, in the Community Room. The hammered dulcimer, guitar, banjo fiddle and mandolin accompany the vocals of this quartet when it performs "Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me," "Schule Agra" (Johnny's Gone For a Soldier), "Liberty," "Soldier's Joy," "Boys of Bluehill." "The Jenny Lind Polka" will be featured. Registration is required.
Program on Alexander Hamilton: "Alexander Hamilton and the Creation of a Fiscal-Military State" will be presented from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, in second-floor conference room. Professor Richard R. John shows how Alexander Hamilton's tenure as the first Secretary of the Treasury hastened the establishment of a politically independent and militarily powerful state. It was Hamilton who best understood that the United States could survive in a hostile world only if its government was strong and its public credit sound. A professor of history at the University of Illinois at Chicago, John specializes in the history of American business, technology and political economy. Registration is required.
Within the context of the current tumultuous financial times, the library will spotlight the contributions of Alexander Hamilton, regarded as the father of the American financial system and the person whose face graces our $10 bill. As the first U.S. Secretary of the treasury, Hamilton kept the weak new nation from bankruptcy. His ideals are still pertinent to our modern banking system.
On display through February, the exhibit will show how Hamilton (1757-1804) rose from immigrant to aide to George Washington and pivotal figure who helped shape young America by writing most of the Federalist Papers and becoming the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury at age 32.
Watch for other upcoming Hamilton and Revolutionary War Period programs online at gailborden.info.
"Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America" is a national traveling exhibition organized by the New-York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the American Library Association. The exhibition has been made possible in part through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, dedicated to expanding American understanding of human experience and cultural heritage.
Groups of 15 or more, or those needing special assistance, call Miriam Lytle at (847) 608-5027 or e-mail mlytle@gailborden.info to make arrangements.
Alexander Hamilton kits are available at the Checkout Desk. Each kit includes an exhibition guide, DVDs, a biography, a timeline and more.
Famous First Ladies: A program on the "Famous First Ladies" will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the Community Room. Meet and learn about the personal lives of three first ladies - Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy - when Jenny Riddle portrays each one with humor and empathy. Registration is required.
For youth
Wimp Fest: Kids in third to sixth grade unite for "Wimp Fest" from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. Join an evening of fun as they celebrate the release of the third book in the popular series by Jeff Kinney. Participants will play games and have a chance to win a copy of the third Wimpy Kid book, "The Last Straw." Registration has begun.
Online Homework Help: Students in third through 12th grades and parents can get free homework help from live online tutors from 2 to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Subjects covered include language arts, math, science and social studies, and help is available in writing term papers, reports and essays, and skill-building for those struggling in a particular area. Tutoring in all subjects is available in Spanish.
HelpNow! may be accessed within the library or from home at gailborden.info/homework help with a Gail Borden Public Library card.
Read, White and Blue 2008-2009 Winter Reading Program: This program is for children in sixth grade and younger. Register through Feb. 14 at the Early Learning Center or Youth Center Help Desks. Last day to turn in reading logs and receive prizes is Feb. 28.
Children not yet reading on their own participate in the Read-To-Me program, with 20 books read to them, while kids reading independently will read six books for Winter Readers.
Those who finish the program will receive a prize and coupons from local businesses. Drawings will be held for books displayed in the Youth case.
StoryTubes 2009 goes International: Vote for fun and prizes through this public library partnership project.
The "My Favorite Book" video project that originated at Gail Borden Public Library goes beyond the lower forty-eight states to Alaska and Canada in 2009. In addition, this year's contest is open to kids of more ages and adds TeacherTube to YouTube as contest video hosts.
It is simple to enter:
• Get your parent or guardian's permission if you are under 18;
• Make your video two minutes long (or shorter);
• Feature one book in your video;
• Enter as an individual or as part of a group of two to five people by uploading your video to YouTube or TeacherTube;
• Enter between Jan. 8 and Feb. 15;
• Be creative!
Get more details about participating online at storytubes.info.