The Digital Library is open 24/7 for eBooks and eAudiobooks, Streaming Movies and TV, and eMagazines. Need help getting started with your Digital Library? Ask us!
Most programs are either virtual or outdoors for community safety.
See our FAQ sheet for EPL hours and other essential information.
Support the Library!
Monday, October 11, 2021 | View in browser
 October 11 is Indigenous People's Day, a holiday that honors Native peoples, their histories, and cultures. We celebrate this day, on Columbus Day, where as most Latin American communities celebrate Día de la Raza (Day of the Peoples). Día de la Raza honors the Indigenous peoples of the Americas and their cultures, disrupted by the arrival of Europeans to the Americas.
Above is the flag of The Anishinaabe Council of Three Fires (uniting the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa tribes) whose land Evanston occupies.
Now some great ways to celebrate:
- Check out some books from our updated Kids' Indigenous People's Day list!
- Try making Three Sisters Soup! Corn, squash and beans (the three sisters) were grown together as a self-fertilizing and self-supporting grouping by many native tribes including the Native Americans that lived in the Chicagoland area.
- This is a great time to visit the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston. They have reopened 2 days a week. The Mitchell Museum was instrumental in getting the City of Evanston to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.
-
The National Museum of the American Indian is hosting a conversation with young Native activists you can watch on their website on Tuesday, October 12, 12 pm.
-
Northwestern's Center for Native American and Indigenous Research invites the public to a reception to honor their 2021 Indigenous Artist in Residence: Wayne Valliere. Also called Mino-giizhig, he is from the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe. Mino-giizhig is a well-respected birchbark canoe builder and artist in the community. October 12, 4-7 pm, 515 Clark St. Reservations required at 847-491-4133 (Jennifer).
- And, at the end of the residency: Birchbark Canoe Launch! October 22, 7 am, weather permitting, at the NU Sailing Center, 1823 Campus Drive.
 |
Monday October 11th is National Coming Out Day! This is an annual festival to support the LGBTQIA+ community in "coming out of the closet." First celebrated in 1988, the idea behind the day is that the most basic form of activism is coming out to family, friends and colleagues, and living life openly. Once people know that they have loved ones who are LGBTQIA+, they are far less likely to maintain negative views.
Great programs for K-5th Grade Kids!
 |
-
Virtual Caldecott Club: Join this fun discussion group about picture books that might win the 2022 Caldecott Award (the award for most distinguished illustrations). Kids in grades 1-8 will review, discuss, and vote on books presented at each of three meetings. Kids will choose their winner in January. Learn how to analyze books from an expert: Brian Wilson, who leads this group, was on the 2017 National Caldecott Committee. First meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 6:45 pm: Register.
-
Virtual Young Scientists Book Club: Masterminds! In the Young Scientist Book Club, kids in grades 3-5 will read fun, engaging, STEM-focused books from all genres and formats. This month we are reading Masterminds by Gordon Korman. You can find an e-book copy available on Hoopla here. (Or reserve a hard copy of the book!) Thursday, October 14, 4:30 pm: Register.
-
Microwave Cooking Class: Gluten Free! We'll be trying out a few different recipes live on Zoom. An ingredient list will be sent out ahead of time in case you'd like to cook along with Ms. Laura, who eats gluten free herself. All recipes will be emailed after the program. Designed for K-5th grade. Saturday, October 16, 11 am: Register.
-
Code it! Challenge (5th-8th grade only) kicks off October 16th! Design and code a video game for a chance to win amazing prizes! Evanston Public Library co-sponsors this event lead by EvanSTEM and others. The rules are simple: design a video game using MakeCode Arcade, include at least 10 core game elements, and submit it by December 5th. Join us for our first livestream to learn more about the challenge, MakeCode, and of course this year's prizes. Saturday, October 16, 10 am: Register.
-
Hora de Aventuras - Cuenta cuentos en español para niñas y niños de primaria: Hola! Ven a la biblioteca para escuchar cuentos en español. Algunos divertidos, otros tiernos, o de risa... o de miedo! Cada lunes a las 4pm te esperamos. Deja volar tu imaginación con nosotras! Monday, October 18, 4pm, Robert Crown Branch Library: Register.
-
Story Quest: Book and Drama Club for 3rd-5th Graders: Amari and the Night Brothers! Story Quest is an in person book and drama club, exploring the worlds of storytelling and theater with games, improv, discussion and more! Mudlark Theater will co-lead the program with EPL librarians. The book we are reading together for the whole series is Amari and the Night Brothers, a middle grade fantasy novel. Kids get a free copies of the book if you register for the series. Every other Tuesday through February 22. October 19, 4:30-6 pm, Gibbs Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St: Register.
-
Last Stop on Market Street Celebration! Northwestern University's Imagine U is performing the play based on the beloved Newbery Award winning picture book. To celebrate, we will have an online party with a scene from the play, a read through of the book, a brief interview with Michael Masini who works with Evanston's Interfaith Action Soup Kitchen, theater games, and even directions for an amazing BUS snack. We will raffle off two sets of tickets for two families! Saturday, November 6, 11am: Register.
-
Curious Kids, A FREE Reading and Crafting Subscription Club! Each month, for three months, receive a themed package that contains library books plus a mini craft kit. For kids in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades only. Registration open now until October 26. Register.
 |
-
The Young and the Restless OUTDOORS has started! This is a sing-a-long program for infants through and including 2 year olds (older siblings welcome, masked). With an outdoor location and a new leader, we are enjoying the same fun singing together. Just drop in; no registration required: Thursday, October 14, AND Thursday, October 28, 10 am, Cornelia Lunt Park. More information.
-
Zoom Family Storytime and Craft: Monsters! Join us for some fun monster stories, songs and a craft. Craft kits are available at the Main Library for registered participants to pick up ahead of time. Books are appropriate for ages 3-7 but all are welcome. Tuesday, October 19, 6 pm: Register.
-
Zoom All By Myself: Virtual storytime and craft for children ages 3-5. If you'd like to do the craft in real time, a list of supplies needed for all four crafts will be emailed the Friday prior to the start of the session. Starts Thursday, October 28, 11 am: Register; OR Thursday, October 28, 1:30 pm: Register.
-
Stroller Stories! Bundled-Up, Walking Storytime: Dress warmly and tuck your young one into the stroller. Meet at the front entrance to Robert Crown. The group will walk around the athletic fields and stop for stories and songs along the route. A new type of storytime to try! Thursdays and Saturdays in November. Thursday, November 4, 10:45 am: Register; Saturday, November 6, 10:45 am: Register.
-
Zoom Time for Twos: Zoom story time filled with songs, picture books, puppets, and rhymes for children who are 24-36 months old with parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Starts Tuesday, November 9, 10:30 am: Register.
 |
Research shows that graphic novels stimulate brain development in a way not provided by books with text alone. While reading, kids see the relationship between text and pictures and how they support or undercut each other. Irony, sarcasm and other elements which are harder to get across with text alone become accessible!
"When students learn to read graphic novels with an analytical eye, they use text and images to make inferences and to synthesize information, both of which are abstract, challenging skills for readers. Images, just like text, can be interpreted in many different ways, and can bring nuances to the meaning of the story." says Leslie Morrison at The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University.
So it's no wonder that Teach Graphix Week is October 18-22 this year! Sign your 3rd-5th grader up for Graphic Novel Book Club today or read a funny or fascinating graphic novel together:
-
Graphic Novel Book Club: Sheets! You love graphic novels, now come talk about them! For grades 3-5. This month we will be discussing Brenna Thummler's graphic novel, Sheets! You can find an ebook copy available on Hoopla here. Must be an Evanston resident or attend school in District 65 to participate. Saturday, October 16, 3 pm: Register.
- Check out our Graphic Novel booklist for some great suggestions!
 Take advantage of our newer expanded hours at both our locations, Evanston Public Library, at 1703 Orrington Avenue, and Robert Crown Branch Library, at 1801 Main Street. Come on in and find these great activities:
-
Make Your Own Pumpkin Book Character! Design a pumpkin and display it at the library all month or send us a picture! Get into the fall spirit with the Evanston Public Library by decorating a pumpkin like your Favorite Book Character. More information.
-
Kids Art Exhibit: Molas! Come to Robert Crown Branch Library to see all the paper Molas kids have made with our Mola Craft Kit earlier this month. Kids' art rocks! (Molas are colorful indigenous cloth designs from bright fabric and embroidery thread. Museums now collect Molas.)
-
Long to Road the Circus Celebration! Celebrate the October 2021 publication of Long Road to the Circus by Evanston Public Library's own Betsy Bird, illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner David Small! This middle grade novel is the story of a girl who rides an ostrich straight to her dreams. Listen to an interview with the author! Make a beautiful ostrich craft at either library location! Reserve a library copy of the book!
-
Squawker's Libr(Eyrie) Booklist -- Get our October staff picks for kids; in addition, local kids recommend books to their peers, too! Squawker's picks are displayed in the Main Children's Room, too.
-
Kids LitMatch: Too busy to make it in or need to avoid the public due to Covid-19? Use our Kids' LitMatch service! Fill out the request form, and a children's librarian will make personalized recommendations for your child. Matching kids and books is our favorite thing to do. Great for kids' research assignments, too.
-
Mark Your Calendars! Both locations of the Evanston Public Library are closed on Thursday, October 21 for a Staff Training Day.
Great Author Visits for kids!
 Get your kids interested in reading and writing by meeting talented authors and illustrators; encourage writing and illustrating their own book. We have an incredible line up of inspiring authors and illustrators to give your kids a great literacy experience! You can read these authors' books now by checking out this booklist from upcoming author visits.
-
Virtual Author Visit with Juana Martinez-Neal! Peruvian American and award winning children's book author and illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal will be joining us to talk about her books and illustrations. Use this link to check back for more details on this exciting visit! Tuesday, October 26, 6:30 pm: Register.
-
Meet Illustrator Andrea Tsurumi and Author Jarrett Dapier-A Mr. Watson's Chickens Virtual Visit! Join the creators of the hilarious new picture book Mr. Watson's Chickens! Learn about how authors and illustrators work together to make magic on the page. Evanstonian Jarrett Dapier, who also published Jazz Lunch this year, was a teen librarian with the Evanston Public Library in the past, so you may recognize him. As a sneak preview, read this great interview Brian Wilson did with Jarrett Dapier. Sunday, November 7, 4 pm: Register.
-
Virtual Author Visit with Dr. Zetta Elliot! Meet Chicago-based children's author/poet/activist/educator Zetta Elliott, who will focus on her beloved Dragons in a Bag series and celebrate the upcoming release of a brand new Dragons book! She is the author of the powerful and inspiring A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal Your Heart, which received a 2021 Caldecott Honor for illustrator Noa Denmon. For Grades K to 5. There will be a special dragon craft tie-in to this visit, to be announced. Saturday, December 11, 4 pm: Register
 Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 11th! To all patrons who hail from up North, a Happy Thanksgiving to you. A Canadian mom shares 20 crafts for Thanksgiving! Get inspiration for, and a head start on, decorating for American Thanksgiving, too.
Happy Double 9th to our Chinese and Chinese-American friends on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month! The holiday, which celebrates health and long life, is on October 14 this year.
In ancient legend, on this day Hengjing defeats a terrible river dragon bringing illness. The holiday is observed traditionally by mountain climbing, drinking chrysanthemum tea, and visiting with older relatives. In modern China and Taiwan, it is renamed Senior's Day.
The best way to get to mountains in Illinois is to visit Shawnee National Forest's Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois or to visit the cliffs along the Mississippi River near Galena. Or read a great mountain book like the classic novel, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, or this newer autobiographical picture book called How to Solve a Problem; The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock Climbing Champion by Ashima Sharaishi and illustrated by Yao Xiao.
|
