The Arlington Heights Memorial Library closed on the property at 112 N. Belmont Ave. on June 27, and released a Request for Qualification seeking architectural services in early August to transform the building into the library’s makerspace. Proposals from 11 architects were evaluated by staff, and a recommendation to engage one of the firms was on the agenda at the September 17 meeting of the Board of Library Trustees. 

The makerspace will offer opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, with technology and creative equipment and supplies for use.  Planned equipment offered includes laser cutters, 3D printers, embroidery, quilting and sewing machines

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation has launched a capital campaign to raise funds for a professional-grade commercial kitchen in the library’s planned makerspace at 112 N. Belmont Ave.
“This new space will offer many creative opportunities for library cooking classes, Arlington Heights resident use and for culinary entrepreneurs,” said Lauree Harp, the foundations’ founder and board chair. “We’re excited to support this innovative project and invite community members to consider making a year-end gift to the Foundation.”
Governed by a volunteer board of directors, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the library’s immediate needs and long-range goals

Arlington Heights Memorial Library Trustee Debbie Smart was named the 2019 Trustee of the Year by the Illinois Library Association (ILA) at the 2019 ILA Annual Conference in October.
In a press release announcing the award, ILA commended Smart for her outstanding leadership and many accomplishments since joining the Library Board in 2011. They acknowledged her continued passion and dedication to public service, stating “Debbie is a constant and vocal supporter of her library, and every library, as the place that brings the community together.”
This annual citation is awarded to a public library trustee for achievement, leadership and service

Fans of the true-crime thriller, The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century, took a deep-dive into the investigation behind and writing of this truth is stranger than fiction story with its author Kirk Wallace Johnson on Thursday evening, October 10. An Evening with Author Kirk Wallace Johnson was the signature event for this fall’s One Book, One Village (OBOV), the Arlington Heights Memorial Library’s (AHML) annual community read.
“How many people have read the book,” Johnson asked the audience of some 330 people who came to hear the former West Chicago resident speak

Publishers' limit of library purchases impacts eBook access
Four major publishers recently changed their eBook and eAudiobook purchasing policies for libraries. These rules will make it difficult and more costly for us to get our customers these eBooks and eAudiobooks as quickly as possible and keep our hold lists low.
The change that may impact customers comes from Macmillan Publishers, which is imposing a two-month embargo on library eBooks effective November 1, 2019. This means public libraries will be allowed to purchase only one eBook copy of each new Macmillan release during the first eight weeks of publication. We expect

As a parent, do you find yourself struggling with how your kids are learning new math methods? Trying to keep up with what they’re learning in science? Students have been using Tutor.com’s live online homework help through the library for years, getting assistance with writing, math, science, standardized test prep and more.
Parents who help their students with homework and projects can also find it useful to get some refreshers from Tutor.com’s trained tutors, so they can keep up with what their kids are learning. Tutor.com’s adult-targeted services go beyond school topics, with resume/cover letter reviews, interview assistance, and tutors

“We want you to have fun with your kids and play and learn and grow together,” said Kids’ World Assistant Manager Maria Papanastassiou to the caregivers and children who came out to the library’s first family workshop program that began on Friday, September 13.
This five-week series of play and learning is an opportunity for caregivers and children to connect with each another. Stations filled with new toys for children between the ages of 0 and 3 were stationed throughout the Hendrickson Room, with information about the benefits they offer for a child’s development. The variety of toys included music

Issues, controversies and arguments are everywhere in the news. However, with soundbites and social media posts, it’s difficult to understand all the nuances that are relevant. You can use several of the library’s online databases to help get a better understanding of what’s behind the hot topics of the day:
• Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints & Gale in Context: Global Issues—Feature background articles and point-of-view pieces on hot-button issues that require understanding from both sides.
• Alt-Press Watch—Articles from newspapers and magazines that represent voices outside the mainstream, across the political and cultural spectrum.
• CultureGrams—Background

We have learned that Lynda.com is making technical changes that unfortunately are incompatible with our system. As a result, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library discontinued access to Lynda.com on November 3, 2019. Learn more including how to download Lynda.com certificates here.
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library offers many online learning tools. In particular, we invite you to explore the following three resources. While they don't offer the exact same features as Lynda.com, each has its strengths:Gale Courses (six-week, instructor-led online classes)Treehouse (online tutorials focused on programming and web design; requires activation request)GCFLearnFree.com (free online training courses for

It’s a wrap! Thank you to all of the filmmakers, judges and student film supporters involved in making this year’s Teen Film Fest a huge success.
This year’s Teen Film Fest took place on Friday, August 9. The evening began with red carpet appearances from the stars of the night – the teen filmmakers themselves. Sixteen films were submitted for this year’s festival. The films ranged from a The Legend of Zelda-inspired stop-motion animated movie to a Stanley Kubrick-inspired horror film to a music video all about jellybeans that had attendees laughing and cheering along.
After each film, the