Northwest suburban books and enrichment

Events related to books and events that enrich your mind, such as lectures, classes, book signings, book club events, writers' group events, forums and discussions. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

It Pays to Read winter reading program: Monday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 28, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Stop by the Mount Prospect Public Library to tell them what you are reading and enter the raffle to win prizes. During the It Pays to Read program, the library is also collecting money for its Literacy Is Priceless Fund to purchase books for Mount Prospect children in need.

Winter Reading Program: Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Children ages 14 and under can take part in the "Everything Igby" or "Wolves Read-to-Succeed" programs. The last day to register is Feb. 6. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Adult/High School Winter Reading Club: Through Sunday, Feb. 28, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Every book you read or listen to earns a chance to win great weekly prizes. Read three books of your choice and take the Winter Reading Challenge, using library services, to be eligible for the Grand Prize drawing March. 1. Stop by the Information/Rader's Advisory desk to sign up.

Jan. 26Preschool Drop-in Storytime: 11-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Stories, rhymes and a short film for ages 3-5. No siblings or guardians in the room. No registration required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Open Storytimes: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26; 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27; and 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Stories and songs for children age 6 and under and their families. No registration required. (847) 253-5675 for information.Storytime Yoga: 11-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Katie Klatt-Bowen of Storybook Yoga for R.E.A.L. teaches children ages 3-5 yoga poses, meditation and movement through the wonder of storybooks. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 of phpl.info. Clutter Busting: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Discussion and book signing of "Clutter Busting: Letting Go of What's Holding You Back" by author Brooks Palmer. To register, (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 or phol.info. Searching for the Lost Symbol: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, Poplar Creek Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Nancy McCully takes you on a tour of Washington, D.C. to see the monuments that set the scene for the latest Dan Brown best-seller, "The Lost Symbol." To register, (630) 483-4910.Jan. 27Drop-in Stories and More: Wednesday, Jan. 27, Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. For grades K-two. To register, (847) 827-5551 or dppl.org.PHPLD regular meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Lusk conference room of the Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights. (847) 259-3500 or phpl.info. Poetic License: 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. A writer's group specifically for poets. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Beginners Genealogy research: 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Focuses on what records to look for and where to find them to jump start your genealogy research. Register at (847) 392-0100 or ahml.info.Jan. 28Writers Group: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St. Members of the library's Writers Group premiere their manuscripts. Listen to excerpts from pieces being produced by the group and be inspired to put pen to paper. Learn how the process of sharing work, constructive feedback, and fresh eyes can help you develop as a writer. Register at the library; visit www.mppl.org/events, or call (847) 253-5675.Mystery By the Book discussion group: Noon Thursday, Jan. 28, Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. For information, call Linda, (630) 483-4949.Current Events Celebrates 100: 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Current Events Discussion Group celebrates its 100 session. Free. No registration needed. Buffalo Grove Post #89 and Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Old Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Rabbi Jeffrey Weill speaks on "What is a 'Just War' from a Jewish Perspective?" Guests welcome.Jan. 29An Evening with Angels: 7-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, Assembly Hall at Friendship Village, 350 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Discussion about angels and miracles with author Joan Wester Anderson. $5. For reservations/tickets call Donna Brown at (847) 843-4254.Jan. 30eBay Shopping Made Easy and Safe: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows. Learn the ins and outs of eBay. For registration or information, call (847) 259-6050.Jan. 31Youth Winter Reading Club: Through Sunday, Jan. 31, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Children in preschool through eighth grade can investigate what the library has to offer during he Youth Winter Reading Club, "Reading Detectives," and earn prizes, enter weekly raffles, and enjoy a magician at the end of the program. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.Used book sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 31 and Feb 7, Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Gently used books, CDs, DVDs, more. Ann, (847) 459-1677. Lyric Opera Lecture: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Damnation of Faust is featured at the Lyric Opera Lecture. Free event sponsored by the Friends of the Library. No registration needed.Feb. 1Boating Essentials: 7-9 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 1-22, College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The Waukegan Sail and Power Squadron will offer a series of seminars covering one topic each week, including Boat Handling Under Power, Knots Bends and Hitches, Trailering Your Boat and Onboard Weather Forecasting. $95 will be collected at the first seminar to cover the cost of take-home materials. For information, e-mail wspsseo@gmail.com and visit wspsboating.org.Author Jami Attenberg: 7-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Meet former Buffalo Grove resident Jami Attenberg, who plans to read a chapter from her new book, "The Melting Season," and answer questions from the crowd. For information on Jami Attenberg, visit jamiattenberg.com. To register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 2Write It Now Creative Writing Group: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows. Do some writing and share it with others. For registration or information, call (847) 259-6050.Barrington Lyric Lecture: 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. "Damnation of Faust" lecturer, Kip Kelly. Free. To register, (847) 304-1996.Feb. 3Introduction to Microsoft Excel: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, or 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Get started with Microsoft Excel, which can be used to create professional spreadsheets and charts. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Toddler Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 3 and 4, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. For children 18-36 months and their caregivers. Share stories, finger plays and songs to encourage listening and motor skill development. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Pajamarama Storytimes: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, March 2 and April 7, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Children of all ages can wear pajamas and enjoy stories, songs, finger plays and crafts. An adult must accompany children under the age of 3. No registration required. For information, call (847) 438-3840.E-Shopping: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online or by catalog. Learn more about the risks, how to protect personal information and the smartest ways to pay. A free lunch will be served. Attendance is restricted to Ela Library cardholders and Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce members. To register, call (847) 438-3433, e-mail infodesk@eapl.org or visit eapl.org.Feb. 6Author Chris Bohjalian: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Novelist Chris Bohjalian will share his newest novel, "Secrets of Eden." A book sale and signing will be included. Registration required; call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.Feb. 8Lapsit Storytime: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Babies from birth to 18 months enjoy stories, puppets, finger plays and playtime with their parents. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Preschool Drop-in Storytime: 11-11:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8-9, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Stories, rhymes, and a short film for ages 3-5. No siblings or guardians in the room. No registration required. Call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 9Rosa Parks: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Discuss the life and times of Rosa Parks, a pioneer for the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 10Computer File Management: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, or 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Learn to use Windows Explorer to manage files. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 11Read to Rover: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Grades 1-5 can sign up in person at the Ask Here desk for a 15-minute one-on-one reading session with a dog. No parents or siblings allowed in the room during the session. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Financial management: Living Christ Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights will host a series of four weekly evening seminars designed to aid people in the community who are seeking help with issues related to finances including time management. This program is open to all community residents and will be provided free. The sessions will be on consecutive Thursday evenings starting Feb. 11 running through March 4. They will be held at Living Christ Lutheran Church from 7:15 to 8:45 each Thursday evening. Living Christ Lutheran Church is located at 625 E. Dundee Road, Arlington Heights. (847) 577-7133 or LivingChristLutheran.orgFeb. 16Morning Book Discussion: 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read the book and join the discussion. New members are always welcome. For information or to register, call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 22Evening Book Discussion: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read the book and join our popular book discussion leader Trish McLaughlin for a lively book discussion! New members are always welcome. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.Feb. 24PHPLD regular meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, Lusk conference room of the Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights. (847) 259-3500 or phpl.info. Prospect Heights Book Review Club: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 24, March 24 and April 28; and two luncheons/book reviews at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays, Nov. 18 and May 26. A limited number of memberships are still available for the upcoming season. For information, call Margie, (847) 398-8504. Barrington Lyric Lecture: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. "Marriage of Figaro" lecturer, Gary Pett. Free. To register, (847) 304-1996.Feb. 25Author Judith Warner: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Judith Warner will discuss how pervasive disorders like autism, Asperger's syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia and more are and show how complex and painful a journey it can be for parents in "We've Got Issues: Children and Parents in the Age of Medication." Book sale and signing included. Registration required; call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.March 22Evening Book Discussion: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read the book and join our popular book discussion leader Trish McLaughlin for a lively book discussion! New members are always welcome. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.March 31PHPLD regular meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, Lusk conference room of the Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights. (847) 259-3500 or phpl.info.April 26Evening Book Discussion: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, April 26, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read the book and join our popular book discussion leader Trish McLaughlin for a lively book discussion! New members are always welcome. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.April 28PHPLD regular meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, Lusk conference room of the Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights. (847) 259-3500 or phpl.info.May 24Evening Book Discussion: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, May 24, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Read the book and join our popular book discussion leader Trish McLaughlin for a lively book discussion! New members are always welcome. Registration required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.May 26PHPLD regular meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, Lusk conference room of the Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights. (847) 259-3500 or phpl.info.OngoingStart your job search at AHML: Business librarians Jason Kuhl and Barb Vlk man the Jobs Desk at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., weekdays from 1-4 p.m. to help residents start their job search at the library. Register for free weekday job programs like networking and resume review at ahml.info or stop by the Answer Center on the library's first floor. (847) 392-01001950s House: Open 1-4 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, April through December; Rolling Meadows Historical Museum, 3100 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. For details, and to schedule tour groups, call (847) 577-7346.Long Grove Art School: Spoerlein Commons S.C. Suite 209, Arlington Heights and McHenry roads, Buffalo Grove. Class instructions are in oil paint, acrylics, watercolor, and drawing one 2-hour workshop/class for adults in oil on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Four weekly classes are forming with a maximum of six students. Private instruction and open studio time. Four week classes for kids ages 7-12. (847) 634-2920 longgroveartschool.com.