Library News

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Thousands of Arlington Heights residents from countless different cultures stop by the library every day to advance their English language studies and for one of these students, the library's English as a Second Language (ESL) services have paved the way towards a new career and beyond.

Olena Yarema moved from Ukraine to Arlington Heights in 2021, and she quickly began attending regularly held library programs including Beginning ESL, English Language Review, Tea & Talk, and Culture and Conversation. Yarema also utilized the library's one-on-one tutoring sessions. Her goal was to attend as many classes as she could.

"[The classes are

Prepare for Major Life Events

Major life events like declaring bankruptcy, changing your name, renting out property or writing your will can be difficult to navigate. Whether you're dealing with one of those situations or a lawyer doing in-depth research, the library has a wide range of online legal resources for you to use.

Gale Legal Forms
Features templates thousands of legal forms (wills, divorce/family, trusts, licenses, leases, etc.) that you can download and modify for your own needs. 

Legal Information Source
Designed to assist the public in legal matters of all kinds. Includes exclusive full text for many top

My library has WHAT?!? A giant Connect 4 game, a massive outdoor movie screen, musical instruments and more! One of the library's most exciting and diverse collections, the Library of Things, is full of the unexpected – from board games and guitar pedals to a sewing machine and wireless hotspots. The library has received many requests for non-traditional items in recent years, and this new collection allows customers even more ways to learn, create and save money at the library.
 
  • Try out instruments such as a ukulele, acoustic guitar or glockenspiel.
  • Capture your next snowboarding or snorkeling expedition

In 2025, Women's History Month celebrates the theme Moving Forward Together. This month recognizes the powerful influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship and leadership. Celebrate Women's History Month with staff-curated book recommendations and programs.Women's History Month BooklistWomen's History Month Programming
Exploring Space with Coralie Adam
Tuesday, March 4, 7-8 p.m. / Zoom

Illinois' own Coralie Adam is the Deputy Navigation Chief on NASA's Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. Adam will be joined by Renae Kerrigan, Curator of Science and Director of the Dome Planetarium at Peoria Riverfront Museum. Presented by Illinois

Each March, The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live. Click here to check out our Developmental Disability Awareness Month booklist.

Learn New Skills

Whether you're looking to learn Excel for work, a new language for travel or quilting to help create a family heirloom, you can build new skills with the help of the library's online learning resources.

Udemy
Offers over 3,500 on-demand video tutorials covering technology (Office, Windows, and Mac OS, coding, etc.), business and management, languages, job and career skills, arts, hobbies and personal growth.

Gale Courses
In-depth, instructor-led, six-week classes on tech topics, health care training, business/accounting, personal development, law, test prep and more.

Creativebug
More than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized

Black History Month honors the achievements, rich culture and history of African Americans and recognizes the important contributions of Black individuals in our society. Celebrate Black History Month with these staff-created booklists. Explore movies and music, books by Black authors, African American history, novels, mysteries, biographies, memoirs and more by checking out our list of featured titles for February:

On Monday, January 20, 2025, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader whose vision for equality and justice continues to inspire. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the library has curated a special booklist featuring works on Dr. King's life, the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing fight for social justice. Whether you are discovering his story for the first time or seeking deeper insight, our collection has something for you. 

Check out our booklist for Martin Luther King Jr. Day here

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation help to anyone with special attention to those over the age of 50 who cannot afford a tax preparation service. Appointments are required and run from early February through mid-April. Schedule an appointment in person at the Info Desk, Second Floor Desk or call 847-392-0100. If you have brokerage statements, please make your appointments for late March or early April. All returns will be e-filed, and you will receive a paper copy of your return. If filing a joint return, both spouses must be present, or bring a signed Power of

Search the catalog for current availability for any of these items. These lists reflect the most checked out items in 2024 in each category. 

Adult Fiction 

  • The Collected Regrets of Clover, Mikki Brammer 
  • The Women, Kristin Hannah 
  • The Exchange: After the Firm, John Grisham 
  • Tom Lake, Ann Patchett 
  • None of This Is True, Lisa Jewell 
  • First Lie Wins, Ashley Elston 
  • Funny Story, Emily Henry 
  • The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride 
  • The Mystery Guest, Nita Prose 
  • The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel, Andrew Child, Lee Child 


Adult Nonfiction  

  • The Woman in Me, Britney Spears 
  • Oath and Honor: A