The power of freedom

You don't need to go to Washington, D.C. to take a picture of the Lincoln Memorial statue.

Just head on over to the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.

The replica sculpture -- which is about half the size of the original -- has been drawing crowds and flirting with flashbulbs as the library has experienced record crowds for its "Tapestry of Freedom" exhibit, which runs through the end of May.

Numerous Elginites and other residents lent items for the exhibit.

Mike Alft, a former Elgin mayor and an author and historian, lent a collection of about 20 Lincoln figurines and busts for the exhibit.

"The 'Tapestry of Freedom' has been well-planned, informative and it appeals to all ages. It is one of the reasons the Gail Borden Library has become a community center," said Alft, who also wrote and released a book about notable Elgin women in conjunction with the exhibit.

The four-month exhibit promotes harmony, respect and unity by celebrating black history, women's history, cultural diversity and preservation.

It isn't over yet, but that hasn't stopped library officials from calling it a success.

Average daily attendance at the library is about 2,200 visitors.

But for March, the daily attendance averaged more than 2,500 visitors -- a 13 percent increase and a single-month record.

Circulation also is up 10.5 percent, said Denise Raleigh, the library's marketing director.

Raleigh said the exhibit is still connecting with visitors, even though it is different from last year's "Space: Dare to Dream" and "Giants: African Dinosaurs" in 2006.

"To watch people's reactions has been very heartwarming," she said. "It's touching everyone in a different way. It's helping the weave grow stronger between people in Elgin and other metropolitan areas. It's really bringing people together."

Carole Medal, the library's executive director, said she was pleased the Tapestry project has become a "new platform for education."

"We see Lincoln's message of unity here every day as people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy the compelling photography display that highlights local diversity, and the Veterans Project that features the dedication and sacrifice of people from this community," she said.

If you haven't had a chance to visit, there are several free events remaining this month.

The exhibit features numerous original documents from the 1800s, and even includes a piece of Lincoln's hair.

In early April, workers erected a log cabin in the library entrance.

But the Lincoln sculpture, the largest in Illinois, has been stealing the show and was one of the highlight of a fundraiser dinner, "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation" in mid-April.

Nearly 150 people attended the dinner and many came in period dress.

"We did find that it is hard to get a hoop skirt through a revolving door, but no hoop skirts were hurt during the event," Raleigh quipped.

Still more planned

The Gail Borden Public Library in is hosting the National Endowment for the Humanities/American Library Association traveling exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation" through May 30. The exhibit is part of the library's "Tapestry of Freedom" project. Several special events are still planned before the Tapestry project ends. Registration is required unless noted. For more information, call (847) 742-2411 or visit

www. elgin.lib.il.us

Lectures/discussions

• "Revolution in Values: Why America Must Embrace the Beloved Community," presented by Vincent Gaddis, Benedictine University professor of history and department chairman; 7 p.m. Tuesday

• "The Value of Restoring Historic Windows Versus Replacement," presented by Vincent Michael, The School Art of the Institute of Chicago chairman, historic preservation; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

• "The Mystery of Robert E. Lee," presented by Dr. Elliot Engel; 7 p.m. Thursday

• "The 'Second Emancipation:' Black Southerners and the Promise of Northern Migration," presented by James Grossman, Newberry Library vice president for research and education; 7 p.m. May 13

• "The Promise of Emancipation? African Americans and the Fate of Freedom," presented by Eric Arnesen, University of Illinois at Chicago history department chairman; 7 p.m. May 14

• "What WERE They Thinking? Aberrations in American Architecture," presented by Rebecca Hunter, local architectural historian; 7 p.m. May 22

Brown Bag lunchtime films:

Bring lunch to the community rooms and enjoy a short introduction of historical and artistic highlights. Coffee and tea will be served. No registration is required.

• "Gone with the Wind," 1939, 11 a.m. Monday, part 1; 11 a.m. May 12, part 2

• "Freedom Writers," 2007, rated PG-13, 6:45 p.m. May 21