Serving the communities of Al s ip, Merr ionette Park and Garden Homes

Vol. 30, No. 2 Spring 2014

TAG! Teens Are It

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

their community. Here at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library they’re

T-MAD…Teens Making A Difference, that is!

TAG members not only volunteer to help with youth programs at the

library, they also invest hours of their time helping out in the community.

TAG held a Read-A-Thon to benefit the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare

Shelter. They also stopped by The Pointe at Kilpatrick with homemade

Christmas cards and ornaments to cheer residents. Members made

Valentine’s Day cards and picture frames for their senior friends at the

Pointe as well. TAG sponsored a drive to collect items for the South

Suburban PADS shelters.

Now TAG is gearing up to undertake its biggest endeavor yet: an Art

Auction that will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses in our community.

This fabulous event will be held in May and the teens

hope everyone in our community will come out and

support the cause.

TAG is open to all library Alsip-Merrionette Park

Public Library residents in grades 6-12. Interested

in joining? Stop by the Youth Services Department and

pick up an application.

DOWNTON

ABBEY Below Stairs

Wednesday, April 16th

at 7P.M.

What was life really like for the

servants who worked below

stairs in the era of Downton

Abbey? In this program, Leslie

Goddard will portray Margaret

Powell, the British servant

whose best selling memoir,

Below Stairs, inspired Downton

Abbey and Upstairs, Down-

stairs. This program gives a

lively look at the work it took

to run a wealthy household

and the eccentricities often

found among employers.

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.

Get Healthy @ your library

The Health Benefits of Yoga

Wednesday, March 19th at 7 P.M.

Begin the process toward a strong and relaxed body, mind and spirit with

certified yoga instructor Jacqueline Ansari of Suit Ur Karma Yoga Studio.

Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring a note pad and pen.

Cooking Gluten Free

Wednesday. May 14th at 7 P.M.

Chef Kate Bradley will cover the basic flours and ingredients used to make

gluten free (GF) food. Recipes for homemade pasta

noodles, banana bread and tart dough will be

presented. A demonstration of tossed pasta and

olive oil as well as seasonal vegetables and various

tart fillings will be demonstrated. This popular

program is limited to 60 people.

Rockin’ Roll

Oldies

Tribute Show

Tuesday, May 13th

1:30 P.M.

Heritage II Clubhouse

3715 W. 123rd Place

Enjoy an afternoon with Mike

Valentine and the Valentine

Singers as they entertain you

with songs from Elvis Presley,

Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline and

many more!

Sunday

Concerts

@ your library

International Music

Sunday, March 30th at 2 P.M.

Bring your family to see Mikhail Basin, accomplished

accordionist. Listen to his international music arrangements

of popular melodies!

Musical Geography of Mexico

Sunday, May 4th at 2 P.M.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your family by exploring the largely

diverse folk music of Mexico from two-time Grammy nominated

Sones de Mexico. This is a special performance of Mexico’s musical

geography. Listen to unique instruments, repertoire and techniques

rarely heard outside these regions. Refreshments will be provided by

Navarro’s Bakery. This program is sponsored in part by the National

Endowment for the Arts.

Book Discussion

Group

The group meets the first Thursday

of each month at 7 p.m.

March 6, 2014

American Heiress Daisy Goodwin

April 3, 2014

Cuckoo’s Calling Robert Galbraith

May 1, 2014

Elizabeth Street Laurie Fabiano

If you would like to join, just call the

Information Desk at 708 926-7024.

Bouncing Babies Tuesdays 10—10:30 A.M.

Birth—23 months with a caregiver

Get ready to sing, clap, bounce and

listen to nursery rhymes and simple

stories with your baby.

Alphabet Stew Thursdays 10—10:30 A.M.

2—4 years with a caregiver

Each week we will explore a new

letter, and all things associated with

it, in a toddler’s world. Join us for

books, songs and

activities centered

on the alphabet.

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.

Scribbles & Dribbles Wednesdays

10—10:30 A.M.

2—5 years with a caregiver

Keep the mess out of your house

while we encourage hands-on

creativity using toddler-safe tools

and materials. With a favorite adult

at their side, toddlers will explore

activities that engage the senses

and help them understand the

world around them. Each session

begins with a song and ends with a

little music and motion. Be prepare

to giggle, wiggle, and don’t forget to

dress for a mess.

Time of Wonder Tuesdays 11—11:30 A.M.

Independent 3—5 years olds

This is your child’s time to explore

stories and activities that develop

their imagination and

independence.

Candy & Michelle’s

Family Music Time Fridays 10:15—10:45 A.M.

All ages—up to 7 years old

Join Candy and Michelle Heitner as

they sing a storybook and play

games. Children will get to enjoy a

variety of small instruments while

Miss Candy plays her guitar.

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

Fuel the imagination of your children and get ready for exciting adventures

through the many wonders of science. By studying water, weather, magnets,

ecology and more, children will explore how objects relate to their everyday

life. Each week participate in exciting hands on experiments. Get ready for

junior scientists to be introduced to amazing scientific properties.

Garden Sprouts* Tuesday 4—4:30 P.M. Grades K—5

Excited about dirt or curious about gardening? This is for you! Spring into

fun and enjoy five weeks of gardening stories and projects. Guaranteed to

spark an interest in gardening, nutrition and the environment with our

creative hands-on learning experiences.

Fine Arts

Friday Fridays

4—4:30 P.M. Grades 1st and up

Ready to create graffiti art like

Basquiat? Mix watercolors like

Monet? Create bold and colorful

pop art like Andy Warhol? Join us

on Fridays for a new kind of art

class. Each week is a new artist,

new project and new skill. Get to

know some of the coolest artists

around while creating your own

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

Thursdays 4—4:30 P.M.

Kids in grades kindergarten

and up can join us

after school for a

fun and relaxing

session of

BINGO!

Check-Mate!* 10—11 A.M. Grades 2+

Learn new moves and test your

skills. Our instructor will teach a

new move each week to develop

your competitive edge. Chess

teaches concentration, focus, logic

and outcome, while promoting the

STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math) skills

initiative.

Lego Club* 3:30—4 P.M. Grades K—5

Love to build with

LEGOs? Want to meet

other LEGO enthusiasts, play

games and be creative? Join us for

a new project each week.

Cinema Saturday March 8 @ 2 P.M.

All ages are invited to enjoy a movie

at the library. Call the Youth Services

Department to find out what’s

playing!

Teen Advisory Group (TAG)

First Thursday of Each Month

March 6, April 3, May 1 and June 5

7—8 P.M.

Grades 6 and up

Join us to express ideas, help

design and plan teen library

events, generate interest in

community projects and suggest new book titles for the library’s

collection. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard. You talk,

we listen! Snacks will be served. Limited to library district residents only.

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!

Wii Wednesday!*

Wednesdays 4—4:30 P.M.

Grades 2 and up

Join us as we play various fun Wii

games. Come play on the big

screen and sharpen your gaming

skills at the library.

New Books March

Be Careful What You Wish For by

Jeffrey Archer

Bootlegger by Clive Cussler

Trouble in Mind by Jeffrey Deaver

Black Horizon by James Grippando

Three Weeks With Lady X

by Eloisa James

Blossom Street Brides

by Debbie Macomber

NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson

Death on Blackheath by Anne Perry

Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts

April

The Target by David Baldacci

Destroyer Angel by Nevada Barr

Chestnut Street by Maeve Binchy

Cavendon Hall

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

I’ve Got You Under My Skin

by Mary Higgins Clark

A Wanted Woman

by Eric Jerome Dickery

Live to See Tomorrow

by Iris Johansen

The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis

A Family Affair by Fern Michaels

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

The Collector by Nora Roberts

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

The King by J. R. Ward

Carnal Curiosity by Stuart Woods

May

Robert B. Parker’s Cheap Shot

by Ace Atkins

Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry

Starfire by Dale Brown

Ghost Ship by Clive Cussler

The Skin Collector

by Jeffrey Deaver

Midnight Crossroad

by Charlaine Harris

Death at the Door

by Carolyn G. Hart

The Keeper by John T. Lescroart

Night Diver by Elizabeth Lowell

Unlucky 13 by James Patterson

Not Quite a Wife

by Mary Jo Putney

Field of Prey by John Sandford

New DVDs 56 up (documentary)

Big C, final season

Burn Notice, season 7

Dexter, final season

Downton Abbey, season 4

Entourage, season 8

Following, season 1

Game of Thrones, season 3

Nurse Jackie, season 5

Shameless, season 3

Sherlock, season 3

Reflektor by Arcade Fire

True by Avicii

Greatest Hits: 50 Big Ones

by The Beach Boys

On Air: Live At The BBC Volume 2

by The Beatles

Moon Landing by James Blunt

Melophobia by Cage the Elephant

In A Tidal Wave of Mystery

by Capital Cities

The Worse Things Get, The Harder

I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More

I Love You by Neko Case

The Bones Of What You Believe

by Chvrches

Wrapped in Red

by Kelly Clarkson

Loved Me Back to Life

by Celine Dion

Redneck Crazy by Tyler Farr

Days Are Gone by Haim

A Musical Affair by Il Divo

Recharged by Linkin Park

Pure Heroine by Lorde

Overcomer by Mandisa

New by Paul McCartney

In Utero by Nirvana

Midnight Memories by One Direction

Too Weird To Live, Too Rare to Die!

by Panic! At The Disco

NOW 48 by Various Artists

Wanted by Word of Mouth

New Music

Alsip-Merrionette Park

Public Library District 11960 S. Pulaski, Alsip, IL 60803 Phone: 708-371-5666 www.alsiplibrary.info

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 Monday, May 26, 2014

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.

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Blue Island, IL

Permit No. 135

Postal Patron

Alsip, IL 60803

Shredding

Event

Saturday, April 12th

10 A.M. — 1 P.M.

Here’s your chance to shred

unwanted, outdated documents

that contain sensitive information.

Just place your papers in boxes

(maximum three standard bankers

boxes allowed) and Beaver Shred-

ding representatives will remove

them from your car, take them to

the truck and shred them onsite.

This event is limited to Alsip-

Merrionette Park Public Library

District residents.

Celebrate

National Library Week

Lives change @ your library!

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

something for everyone at the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District. Be

sure to visit during National Library Week, April 13 - 19, stop by the Patron

Services desk while you’re here to fill out a raffle ticket to win our daily drawings!

Computer Classes Computer instructor, John Hojek returns to teach computer classes this Spring!

Beginning Computers Beginning Internet Friday, March 28th Friday, April 25th

10 a.m.—2 p.m. 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Registration must be done in-person at the library. There is a $15

non-refundable registration fee for library residents (non-residents is $25).