Spring 2014 Vol. 30, No. 2

provides additional access to eBooks!

The Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District is participating in the eRead Illinois Program. eRead Illinois is a two year statewide program designed to increase access to eBooks for all Illinois residents. For library district residents this means you now have access to two digital media platforms. Many of you already enjoy downloading materials through MyMediaMall. Well, now you can also access eBooks from eRead Illinois through Baker & Taylor’s Axis 360. Like MyMediaMall, materials are available for many electronic devices including iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, Nook© and Sony Reader. To find out more and try it out, just go to the library’s website and click the DOWNLOADS/EBOOKS tab. The initial funding for eRead Illinois was provided by a grant from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White through the Illinois State Library.

TAG! Teens Are It DOWNTON

Since the library’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG) held its first meeting last fall, teens have proven they’re committed to volunteering with friends to better ABBEY their community. Here at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library they’re Below Stairs T-MAD…Teens Making A Difference, that is!

TAG members not only volunteer to help with youth programs at the Wednesday, April 16th library, they also invest hours of their time helping out in the community. at 7P.M.

TAG held a Read-A-Thon to benefit the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare What was life really like for the Shelter. They also stopped by The Pointe at Kilpatrick with homemade servants who worked below Christmas cards and ornaments to cheer residents. Members made stairs in the era of Downton Valentine’s Day cards and picture frames for their senior friends at the Abbey? In this program, Leslie Pointe as well. TAG sponsored a drive to collect items for the South Goddard will portray Margaret Suburban PADS shelters. Powell, the British servant Now TAG is gearing up to undertake its biggest endeavor yet: an Art whose best selling memoir, Auction that will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses in our community. Below Stairs, inspired Downton This fabulous event will be held in May and the teens Abbey and Upstairs, Down- hope everyone in our community will come out and stairs. This program gives a support the cause. lively look at the work it took TAG is open to all library Alsip-Merrionette Park to run a wealthy household Public Library residents in grades 6-12. Interested and the eccentricities often in joining? Stop by the Youth Services Department and found among employers. pick up an application.

Serving the communities of Alsip, Merrionette Park and Garden Homes

Sunday Concerts @ your library

Rockin’ Roll International Music

Oldies Sunday, March 30th at 2 P.M.

Tribute Show Bring your family to see Mikhail Basin, accomplished accordionist. Listen to his international music arrangements

Tuesday, May 13th of popular melodies!

1:30 P.M. Musical Geography of Mexico Heritage II Clubhouse Sunday, May 4th at 2 P.M. 3715 W. 123rd Place Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your family by exploring the largely Enjoy an afternoon with Mike diverse folk music of Mexico from two-time Grammy nominated Valentine and the Valentine Sones de Mexico. This is a special performance of Mexico’s musical Singers as they entertain you geography. Listen to unique instruments, repertoire and techniques rarely heard outside these regions. Refreshments will be provided by with songs from Elvis Presley, Navarro’s Bakery. This program is sponsored in part by the National Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline and Endowment for the Arts. many more!

Book Get Healthy @ your library Discussion

Group The Health Benefits of Yoga

th The group meets the first Thursday Wednesday, March 19 at 7 P.M. of each month at 7 p.m. Begin the process toward a strong and relaxed body, mind and spirit with March 6, 2014 certified yoga instructor Jacqueline Ansari of Suit Ur Karma Yoga Studio. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring a note pad and pen. American Heiress Daisy Goodwin Cooking Gluten Free April 3, 2014 th Wednesday. May 14 at 7 P.M. Cuckoo’s Calling Chef Kate Bradley will cover the basic flours and ingredients used to make Robert Galbraith gluten free (GF) food. Recipes for homemade pasta May 1, 2014 noodles, banana bread and tart dough will be Elizabeth Street presented. A demonstration of tossed pasta and Laurie Fabiano olive oil as well as seasonal vegetables and various

tart fillings will be demonstrated. This popular If you would like to join, just call the program is limited to 60 people. Information Desk at 708 926-7024.

Registration begins Saturday, March 15th for library district residents. Open registration begins Saturday, March 22th. Programs run from March 30th through May 3rd. Children must have a valid library card to register. A fee will be charged to all non-residents.

Bouncing Babies Scribbles & Dribbles Time of Wonder Tuesdays 10—10:30 A.M. Wednesdays Tuesdays 11—11:30 A.M. Birth—23 months with a caregiver 10—10:30 A.M. Independent 3—5 years olds

Get ready to sing, clap, bounce and 2—5 years This is your child’s time to explore with a caregiver listen to nursery rhymes and simple stories and activities that develop stories with your baby. Keep the mess out of your house their imagination and while we encourage hands-on independence. Alphabet Stew creativity using toddler-safe tools Thursdays 10—10:30 A.M. and materials. With a favorite adult Candy & Michelle’s 2—4 years with a caregiver at their side, toddlers will explore Family Music Time Each week we will explore a new activities that engage the senses Fridays 10:15—10:45 A.M. letter, and all things associated with and help them understand the All ages—up to 7 years old it, in a toddler’s world. Join us for world around them. Each session Join Candy and Michelle Heitner as books, songs and begins with a song and ends with a they sing a storybook and play activities centered little music and motion. Be prepare games. Children will get to enjoy a on the alphabet. to giggle, wiggle, and don’t forget to variety of small instruments while dress for a mess. Miss Candy plays her guitar.

*These programs support the principles of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

“Spring” Into Science After School Club* Mondays 4—4:30 P.M. Grades K and up Fine Arts

Fuel the imagination of your children and get ready for exciting adventures Friday through the many wonders of science. By studying water, weather, magnets, Fridays 4—4:30 P.M. ecology and more, children will explore how objects relate to their everyday st Grades 1 and up life. Each week participate in exciting hands on experiments. Get ready for Ready to create graffiti art like junior scientists to be introduced to amazing scientific properties. Basquiat? Mix watercolors like

Garden Sprouts* Monet? Create bold and colorful pop art like Andy Warhol? Join us Tuesday 4—4:30 P.M. Grades K—5 on Fridays for a new kind of art Excited about dirt or curious about gardening? This is for you! Spring into class. Each week is a new artist, fun and enjoy five weeks of gardening stories and projects. Guaranteed to new project and new skill. Get to spark an interest in gardening, nutrition and the environment with our know some of the coolest artists creative hands-on learning experiences. around while creating your own With National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year!

Sunday, April 27th at 2 P.M. Best for ages 6 and Up

Do you want to learn how to drive a dogsled, use an Amazonian blow dart gun or kayak with whales? Adventure educators, Dave and Amy Freeman will show you how when they bring their Wilderness Classroom to the library. Through stories, images, videos and activities you’ll be immersed in the diverse habitats and unique cultures that exist between the Amazon and the Arctic. Join us for an unforgettable educational adventure that will entertain as well as inspire!

Teen Advisory Group (TAG)

First Thursday of Each Month Check-Mate!* March 6, April 3, May 1 and June 5 10—11 A.M. Grades 2+ 7—8 P.M. Grades 6 and up Learn new moves and test your skills. Our instructor will teach a Join us to express ideas, help new move each week to develop design and plan teen library your competitive edge. Chess events, generate interest in teaches concentration, focus, logic community projects and suggest new book titles for the library’s and outcome, while promoting the collection. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard. You talk, STEM (Science, Technology, we listen! Snacks will be served. Limited to library district residents only. Engineering and Math) skills initiative.

Lego Club* 3:30—4 P.M. Grades K—5

Love to build with Thursdays 4—4:30 P.M. LEGOs? Want to meet other LEGO enthusiasts, play Kids in grades kindergarten games and be creative? Join us for Wii Wednesday!* and up can join us a new project each week. Wednesdays 4—4:30 P.M. after school for a

Grades 2 and up fun and relaxing Cinema Saturday March 8 @ 2 P.M. Join us as we play various fun Wii session of

All ages are invited to enjoy a movie games. Come play on the big BINGO! at the library. Call the Youth Services screen and sharpen your gaming Department to find out what’s skills at the library. playing!

New Books March April May  Be Careful What You Wish For by  The Target by David Baldacci  Robert B. Parker’s Cheap Shot Jeffrey Archer  Destroyer Angel by Nevada Barr by Ace Atkins  Bootlegger by Clive Cussler  Chestnut Street by Maeve Binchy  Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry  Trouble in Mind by Jeffrey Deaver  Cavendon Hall  Starfire by Dale Brown by Barbara Taylor Bradford  Black Horizon by James Grippando  Ghost Ship by Clive Cussler  I’ve Got You Under My Skin  Three Weeks With Lady X  The Skin Collector by Mary Higgins Clark by Eloisa James by Jeffrey Deaver  A Wanted Woman  Blossom Street Brides  Midnight Crossroad by Eric Jerome Dickery by Debbie Macomber by Charlaine Harris  Live to See Tomorrow  Death at the Door  NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson by Iris Johansen by Carolyn G. Hart  Death on Blackheath by Anne Perry  The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis  The Keeper by John T. Lescroart  Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts  A Family Affair by Fern Michaels  Night Diver by Elizabeth Lowell  Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick  Unlucky 13 by James Patterson New DVDs  The Collector by Nora Roberts  Not Quite a Wife  56 up (documentary)  Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline by Mary Jo Putney  The King by J. R. Ward  Big C, final season  Field of Prey by John Sandford  Burn Notice, season 7  Carnal Curiosity by Stuart Woods

 Dexter, final season

 Downton Abbey, season 4 New Music  Reflektor by Arcade Fire  Loved Me Back to Life  Entourage, season 8 by Celine Dion  True by Avicii  Following, season 1  Redneck Crazy by Tyler Farr  Greatest Hits: 50 Big Ones  Game of Thrones, season 3 by The Beach Boys  Days Are Gone by Haim

 Nurse Jackie, season 5  On Air: Live At The BBC Volume 2  A Musical Affair by Il Divo by The Beatles  Shameless, season 3  Recharged by Linkin Park  Moon Landing by James Blunt  Sherlock, season 3  Pure Heroine by Lorde  Melophobia by Cage the Elephant  Overcomer by Mandisa  In A Tidal Wave of Mystery  New by Paul McCartney by Capital Cities  The Worse Things Get, The Harder  In Utero by Nirvana I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More  Midnight Memories by One Direction I Love You by Neko Case  Too Weird To Live, Too Rare to Die!  The Bones Of What You Believe by Panic! At The Disco by Chvrches  NOW 48 by Various Artists  Wrapped in Red by Kelly Clarkson  Wanted by Word of Mouth

Alsip-Merrionette Park Non-Profit Org. Public Library District U.S. Postage 11960 S. Pulaski, Alsip, IL 60803 PAID Phone: 708-371-5666 Blue Island, IL www.alsiplibrary.info Permit No. 135 Library Hours Monday — Thursday 9 a.m.— 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday 9 a.m.— 5 p.m. Sunday Noon — 4 p.m. (September—May) Drive-up book return open 24 hours

Library Closed Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11, 2014 Memorial Day Postal Patron Monday, May 26, 2014 Alsip, IL 60803 Library Board Mary E. McKendree — President Judy Buergel — Vice President Mary Jane Schneider — Secretary Sandy Ceretto — Treasurer Gerald Dujsik — Trustee Lester Engelbrecht — Trustee Robert Olson — Trustee

Library Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. Minutes and agendas are posted on the library’s website. Library Board members are elected by residents of Alsip, Merrionette Park and Garden Homes. All library board positions are unpaid. The public is welcome. Need a special accommodation for a program? Be sure to call the library at least five days in advance.

Shredding Celebrate National Library Week Event

th Lives change @ your library! Saturday, April 12 10 A.M. — 1 P.M. Did you know that your library builds its collections and programs to meet the needs of the Alsip, Merrionette Park and Garden Homes communities? There’s Here’s your chance to shred something for everyone at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District. Be unwanted, outdated documents sure to visit during National Library Week, April 13 - 19, stop by the Patron that contain sensitive information. Services desk while you’re here to fill out a raffle ticket to win our daily drawings! Just place your papers in boxes (maximum three standard bankers boxes allowed) and Beaver Shred- Computer Classes ding representatives will remove Computer instructor, John Hojek returns to teach computer classes this Spring! them from your car, take them to the truck and shred them onsite. Beginning Computers Beginning Internet Friday, March 28th Friday, April 25th This event is limited to Alsip- 10 a.m.—2 p.m. 10 a.m.—2 p.m. Merrionette Park Public Library District residents. Registration must be done in-person at the library. There is a $15 non-refundable registration fee for library residents (non-residents is $25).