Black History Family Festival

In partnership with Elgin Community College and School Dist. U-46, on February 4, 2-5 pm, discover Black Americans who have had an impact on our lives from science and medicine to politics and art.

This free event will feature award-winning author Candy Dawson Boyd, Broadway dancer Reginald McLaughlin and professional storyteller Linda Gorham. The culinary experts at Elgin Community College will provide sweet-potato pie bites. No registration. Learn more.

Internet Gems: Chemsoc Timeline

I ran across this website this morning when I was going through my RSS Reader.

Chemsoc Timeline is a time line of scientific advances throughout human history. Created by the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom, each scientific concept has a short explanation with links to more information.

I was amazed at the amount of discoveries made in the 1900's with the 1970's leading the century. I spent a good 15 minutes clicking around learning about the Polio Vaccine, Nuclear Fusion, and Döbereiner Firelighter. I might have to go over to the nonfiction section of the stacks and pick out some science books to take home.

There's an App for That: Junglespeak

This app is fun for kids and adults alike, for the iPad only you can listen animal sounds, watch videos, color digital animal pictures, or read about the animals with descriptions and quick facts.

Learn more about Junglespeak at Gale Cengage.

Hidden Gems

The library has many hidden gems, including back issues of magazines in the Archives.

The library collects selected titles that are placed in the Archives Room. Titles include Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, Time, Science, and The Watch Word.

To view magazines from the archives, like this August 1954 issue of Good Housekeeping, just ask for assistance at the Information Desk.

Learning To Knit

The library has many books on learning to knit but today I stumbled across a great set of videos on YouTube from Lion Brand Yarn that show you how to do a few different knitting skills.

Database: Smithsonian Global Sound

Are you interested in listening to music from around the globe? Then take a look at the library's online database Smithsonian Global Sound.

Smithsonian Global Sound is your online resource to the Smithsonian's collection of American Folk Music, Native American sounds, Blues, and traditional music from around the world.

This online database is available to you at home 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you have any questions or comments about this database please contact the information desk at 847-429-4680.

National Handwriting Day

January 23rd is National Handwriting Day. If you're like me then you have some need to practice on your penmanship. The more time I spend typing into a computer or phone the worse my handwriting gets, so I've picked out some library books that might just reform my dreadful penmanship.

Teach Yourself Better Handwriting By Sassoon, Rosemary Author Sassoon Rosemary Check Our Catalog This practical and informative book will help readers improve their handwriting and develop their own mature and individual style. "Teach Yourself Better Handwriting "includes self-diagnosis tests to identify problems, "before-and-after" examples illustrating common faults, and a detailed section on holding the pen. It also offers advice to those with special circumstances that may affect their handwriting, such as being left-handed or having a medical condition. …More

American Handwriting: Slow and Easy By Haynes, Janette M. Check Our Catalog This multi-level workbook teaches students to read and write American handwriting. It is a step-by-step instruction workbook for handwriting in the context of filling out basic forms. Both printed and cursive forms of common handwriting are taught using spacing appropriate for adults and adolescents. American Handwriting was developed for those in the workplace or classroom who do not read or write the Roman alphabet. …More

Celebration Calligraphy: Complete Instructions and Templates for Special-Occasion Alphabets, Borders, and Motifs By Booth, Ruth Check Our Catalog This practical book contains templates and techniques for creating twenty beautiful commemorative alphabets, from graceful Copperplate calligraphy and flourished Gothic hands to bold and colorful lettering styles, plus a selection of complementary borders and motifs. Produce elegant flowing scripts for traditional weddings; ornate illuminated initials for decorating family trees and certificates; ghoulish letterheads for Halloween party invitations; and playful styles for birthday cards and scrapbook pages. Includes a guide to tools and equipment; step-by-step instruction in basic penmanship skills and key techniques such as gilding, embossing, and measuring and folding card; and actual-size letter spacing guides. …More

The Art & Craft of Hand Lettering: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration By Cicale, Annie  Check Our Catalog A beautiful introduction to a popular art. Thanks to the guidance of an experienced calligraphy teacher, anyone can add a touch of elegance to invitations, handwritten poems, and a variety of surfaces. Annie Cicale provides a complete, easy-to-follow course in the art of beautiful writing and an attractive resource filled with breathtaking images. She'll guide your pen as you master broad pen alphabets, including classic uncial, Roman and italic caps, as well as playful invented styles with added variations. Copy a historical letter technique, and understand the basics of layout, design, texture, and color. Seventeen projects include a traditional certificate with decorative contrasts and flourishes; journals and scrapbooks; and even a colorful silk-screened pillow. …More