Cook Memorial Library notes

Call (847) 362-2330 or visit www.cooklib.org.

Star Party: Right now, Mars is 55 million miles away -- and won't be this close to the Earth again until the year 2016. Join astronomers from the Lake County Astronomical Society for a look at the night sky through professional telescopes at 7 p.m. today. The Star Party will start in the Program Room of the Cook Park Library and will move outside.

English Language Learning: The Cook Memorial Public Library District has added new services and materials for English language learners.

In response to a diversity study, the library district increased its adult basic education collection, formed two book discussion groups for English language learners, and partnered with Mundelein High School to offer English as a Second Language courses.

Free ESL courses are offered in partnership with Mundelein High School from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Meeting Room of the Cook Park Library. For more information, call Mundelein High School at (847) 949-2200.

Cook's new book discussion groups, Reading and Talking and Book Talking, are designed for English language learners who can read in English but would like to practice conversation with other language learners. Reading and Talking will begin a winter session at 9 a.m. Jan. 16 at the United Methodist Church of Libertyville. Book Talking will begin a winter session at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 in the Program Room at the library. For more information, visit the Web site at www.cooklib.org or call (847) 362-2330.

Displays and global reading, listening and viewing lists will be available at all of the Cook Memorial Public Library District facilities. For more information about any of Cook's diversity or English language initiatives, call (847) 362-2330 or visit the Web site at www.cooklib.org.