Thursday, April 21, 2022 | Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

PLEASE NOTE: The Library (both Robert Crown and Main branches) will be closed Thursday, April 28, for staff training.

Celebrate our planet with the Evanston Public Library!

This Friday, April 22, is Earth Day, but the Evanston Public Library's Climate Action initiative offers programs and events both around Earth Day and throughout the year. The Evanston Public Library's commitment to developing Climate Action programming brings Evanstonians hands-on, actionable ways to approach and address the climate crisis in a way that, rather than feeling overwhelming, is empowering, collaborative and even fun.

From bike tune-ups to a seed library, learn more about #EPLClimateAction programming here. And check out these upcoming Climate Action programs:

• The Library at the Ecology Center Earth Day Celebration! Join EPL at The Ecology Center's Earth Day Celebration. Do some nature art and learn about great books to inspire kids to enjoy and act for the earth! At the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. More info.
• Organic Lawn Care & Alternatives to Turf Grass: Looking at your lawn and wondering how you can make it better, and what you might substitute for plain old rye and Kentucky bluegrass? Get ideas on creating an environmentally safe yard for your family, pets and our planet. Wednesday, May 4, 6:45 p.m. Register.
• How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change: Climate change is both critical to talk about with our kids and also terrifying. Will I scare them if we talk about climate change? Will they lose hope? Are they too young to understand? Genie Albina, former District 65 teacher, Earth Week Environmental Curriculum lead and Parent Coach will show us how to bring compassion, understanding and action to this important conversation. Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m. Register.

Drive up to our new book drops!

We have installed two new book drops to make returning library books more convenient for you! These “driver’s side” book drops are located on Prairie Avenue near Central Street and outside the Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main Street. In addition, the Evanston Public Library also offers book drops at the following locations throughout Evanston: 

• Inside the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue 
• In front of the Main Library, on Church Street
• Inside the Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster Street
• At the Robert Crown Branch Library, located inside the Robert Crown Center

The Evanston Public Library has been working to expand convenient public access to the Library and its resources throughout the community. 

Uncover new perspectives at The Human Library

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be transgender, Muslim, or the parent of a victim of gun violence? Would you like to talk to someone who is willing to share their experience of prejudice or discrimination based on race, religion, sexual preference, class, gender identity, disability, or another aspect of their lives?

EPL's Human Library offers you the opportunity to hear such stories and engage in a dialogue with a person who acts as a human "Book" for you, the "Reader." Borrow a “Book” for a 30-minute one-on-one conversation designed to encourage a deeper understanding between members of our community and foster frank conversations  in a safe environment. 

This Sunday will be the fifth Human Library event held at Evanston Public Library and the first since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It happens Sunday, April 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. on the third floor of the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston. Registration is not required. Just drop in! All ages are welcome but those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A 'The Bias Inside Us' community program 

The Human Library is being held in conjunction with “The Bias Inside Us," a community engagement project from the Smithsonian, hosted on the Main Library's third floor. The project raises awareness about the social science and psychology of implicit bias, the impact of this bias and what people can do about it. Come to the Human Library, then check out the exhibit. Read more about the exhibit and the full event lineup here. 

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, TEENS & KIDS:

An Introduction to Poetry: In honor of National Poetry Month, we will be hosting a poetry workshop at the Robert Crown Branch. We will take some time to read together, discuss our favorite pieces or authors, as well as write our own poetry. Whether you’ve never written a poem before or are working on a big collection, all are welcome! Saturday, April 23, 1:30 p.m. Register.

Home Buying Pre-Purchase Workshop: Evanston Public Library and Open Communities invite you to join us for a series of workshops on April 26, 27, and 28 covering a wide variety of housing issues, including budgeting tips, debt management, setting financial goals, fair housing laws, foreclosure prevention, and more. Learn more and register for all sessions here. You will have to attend all three workshops to receive a Homebuyer Education certificate.

Law at the Library - Starting a Small Business: Each Law at the Library program features a presentation on Zoom by an experienced attorney, followed by a brief Q&A. In this session, we'll discuss building a business plan, evaluating finances, and determining a business structure. Tuesday, April 26, 6 p.m. Register.

Sip & Paint at Temperance Brewing Co./ Tomar Y Pintar en Temperance Brewing Co.: Join EPL for an evening of painting, fun, and classic beers! Share your thoughts on both the Spanish and English collection. meet our librarians, and get an opportunity to work with artist Alfonso "Piloto" Nieves to finish a community art project that will be on display at the Robert Crown Branch. Tuesday, April 26, 6-8 p.m. Register.

SCOTUS - Law and Politics: Learn about the Court, its recent major decisions and ongoing cases, and the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on SCOTUS in a free mini-course instructed by Northwestern Professor emeritus Jerry Goldman. Goldman is the founder of OYEZ, a searchable multimedia database of Supreme Court oral arguments and opinion announcements dating to October 1955. Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m. Register.

¡Dia de los Niños! Join us for an interactive sing-along movie viewing of Disney's ENCANTO in the Main Library Community Room and stay after for a themed craft activity! No registration required, but this event is first come, first served with capacity limits. Friday, April 29, 3:30 p.m. More info.

Crown Puzzle Swap: Bring your finished or unwanted puzzles and cozy up with something new! All are welcome to come in and grab a puzzle! No registration required. Sunday, May 1, 1 - 4 p.m. More info.

BOOK GROUPS AND DISCUSSIONS

Game Misconduct: Hockey's Toxic Culture and How to Fix it. Evan Moore, reporter and co-author of Game Misconduct, will discuss hockey's toxic undercurrent which has permeated the sport throughout the junior, college, and professional levels. Tonight! Thursday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. Register. 

Illinois Libraries Present: Nick Offerman & Jeff Tweedy: Join us for an evening with actor, humorist, and woodworker, Nick Offerman. Best known for his breakout role as Ron Swanson in the acclaimed series Parks and Recreation, Nick will be discussing his newest book, "Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside." His walking companion, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, will join him in conversation. Wednesday, April 27, 7 p.m. Register.

TMAC Book Group: Even This Page is White by Vivek Shraya. Friday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. Register.

True Crime Book Group: Two Truths and a Lie: A Murder, a Private Investigator, and Her Search for Justice by Ellen McGarrahan. Tuesday, April 26, 7 p.m. Register.

Outside the Lines: A Graphic Novel Book Club: The Arab of the Future: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978-1984 by Riad Sattouf. Thursday, April 28, 7 p.m. Register.

History Book Group: African History: A Very Short Introduction by John Parker and Richard Rathbone. Monday, May 2, 6 p.m. Register.

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Group: The Conductors by Nicole Glover. Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m. Register.

LITTLE-KNOWN LIBRARY SERVICES

SCORE Free Small Business Mentoring Volunteer business leaders can help you as you start or manage a business, Make appointments online at here or email Bob Strauss for scheduling assistance.

PICK 3: THE HUMAN LIBRARY

This week's selections correspond with the Library's new exhibit, The Bias Inside Us, and the return of The Human Library.

1. The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias by Dolly Chugh (book): An inspiring guide from Dolly Chugh, an award-winning social psychologist at the New York University Stern School of Business, on how to confront difficult issues including sexism, racism, inequality, and injustice so that you can make the world (and yourself) better.

2. Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji (book): "Blindspot” is a metaphor to describe that portion of the mind that houses hidden biases. The authors use it to ask about the extent to which social groups – without our awareness or conscious control – shape our likes and dislikes, our judgments about people’s character, abilities, and potential.

3. Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World — and Why Things are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling (book, audiobook): One of the problems of being human is that we don't know what we don't know, and even our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases. One way to combat that is by embracing Factfulness, the stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts.

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Natasha Trethewey's "Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir:" Northwestern University's Presidential Fellows are hosting a discussion with writer and two-term poet laureate Natasha Trethewey, who will be discussing her most recent memoir, "Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir" (Ecco Press, 2020). This event is free and open to the public (registration required). Light refreshments will be served. Tuesday, May 3, 3:30 p.m. Register.

...BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Don't forget our digital collection. No need for Netflix and Audible -- the library is free and open online 24/7 for eBooks and eAudiobooks,  Streaming Movies and TV, and eMagazines. 

Stop by! Check current hours and COVID-19 updates. Note: The Library will be closed on Sunday, April 17, in observance of the Easter holiday.

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