Evanston Peregrine Falcons by Photographer Ted Glasoe

Ted Glasoe Photography Exhibit at Evanston Library Featuring Peregrine Falcons

Photographer Ted Glasoe captures the unexpected yet captivating moments in 
nature that happen around us every day, including the activities of the Peregrine Falcons who nest at the Evanston Library. 

Glasoe’s collection of photographs of the falcons that he's taken over the past five years will be on display at the Evanston Public Library from May 12—31.

Evanston Public Library Main Branch, 1703 Orrington Avenue 

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Ted is participating in Open Studios Evanston on June 7, 3-8 p.m. Visit www.openstudiosevanston.blogspot.com to learn more about this exciting citywide arts event.

Knitsplosion a Colorful Success

Congrats to everyone who showed up at the Evanston Public Art Committee event, Knitsplosion! And congrats to Jason and David!

Saturday: Public "Yarnbombing" Event at the Evanston Public Library

Press Release from the Evanston Public Art Committee

Come participate in a public "yarnbombing" event at the Evanston Public Library on February 8th. Knitters, crochet-ers, and fabric artists of all ages and experience levels are welcome to join as we bring string and color to the halls and streets around the Library.

BYOY - Bring Your Own Yarn (remnants, old favorites, etc.), needles, and supplies! This will be an opportunity to share what you have, whether it be supplies or crafty wisdom - we invite both! And start knitting today! We will try to incorporate prepared and recycled projects into the installation.

Have an old, "ugly" knit sweater laying around the house that you wouldn't want anyone to wear? We want that too! We'll put it to good use...or at least creative use.

What is "Evanston HeARTh" anyway?

The Evanston Public Art Committee is trying to get folks out of their homes and into warm public places this winter to encourage community-building and creativity to enliven what can be the solitary cold months. We are aiming for all of these events to be inter-generational and fun for all. We are also asking community members to help us help each other by bringing their own supplies. Not only will this let you really leave your mark on these art projects, but you'll be able to teach others with the supplies you've become an expert in using - that way even our neighbors who may be arts-and-crafts newbies can come and join as well.

Spread the word, spread the warmth!

Saturday, Feb. 8, noon - 4 p.m., Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.  

Photo Contest: Get caught reading at Evanston Public Library

The Evanston Public Library will launch the 1st Annual Get Caught Reading community photo contest on Saturday, Sept. 14. Photographers of all ages and expertise levels are invited to capture images of people expressing the joy of reading in all its forms: books, tablets, e-readers, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers, as well as in various places, from private spaces to public venues.

Photos may be submitted from September 14 through September 28. The voting period will be October 2 through October 9,  with winners based on popular vote through the Internet from the community-at-large. Four winners will be chosen. There will be a first and second place award for those 18 and under, and a first and second place for those older than 18 years of age, as well as one Honorable Mention for each age group.  

The winning photographs will be featured on the Evanston Public Library website and prizes will be awarded. For more information, please contact Jill Schacter, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at jschacter@cityofevanston.org.

Photos submissions will be taken via a website link once the contest is live on Sept. 14

Contest rules:

1. All photos must be taken in Evanston by residents of Evanston.  

2. All photos submitted to the Get Caught Reading contest may be used, without further notification, at any time, by the Evanston Public Library in marketing and informational materials including but not limited to, brochures, newsletters, social media and web-based communications.

3. The photographer agrees to obtain permission from any person included in the photo before submission to the Get Caught Reading contest.

4. The Evanston Public Library reserves the right to decline acceptance of submitted photographs based on content we deem to be inappropriate for public posting/viewing. 

Tail Waggin' Tutors at Evanston Public Library

Photo: Louis reading to Dina

When we got to the library last week a sweet little lady with an ugly Christmas sweater invited my son to come and read a book to a dog. I'm serious. She led us to a table full of entry-level reading books and said "pick one out and go read to Dina, she's right over there waiting. And don't worry, dogs don't care if you make mistakes when you read out loud." My son picked a book and read it to Dina the dog.

We learned that this is part of the training for therapy dogs and that some of them were being sent to visit victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut. It was extremely touching and cute to participate in the program for my son and I. We took photos, hugged the lady in the ugly sweater and gave Dina extra pets on the head.

Below is information about the program and if it's a slow night at the library, you

Tail Waggin' Tutors at Evanston Public Library

Tuesdays, Children's Services, Main Library
Session 1: 1/22 - 2/12, 6:30-7:00pm or 7:00-7:30pm
Session 2: 2/26 - 3/19, 6:30-7:00pm or 7:00-7:30pm

Practice your reading - read to a dog! The Tail Waggin’ Tutors program provides a relaxed and "dog-friendly" atmosphere in which kids can practice and improve their reading skills. Tail Waggin' Tutors are wonderful listeners and provide a great opportunity for kids to build confidence reading as well as learn how to interact with these wonderful therapy dogs. Kids read to their dogs for 20 minutes and then have 10 minutes of cuddle time.

Sign up for one 4-week session from 6:30-7:00pm or 7:00-7:30pm; space is limited to 6 participants per 30 minute period. For kids in grades K-5. Please note: We request that families with multiple children share a dog and a slot. Registration is required and begins on January 2. To register, please call 847-448-8610.

Participation limited to Evanston residents/children in District 65 schools.

Click here to read more info

Thank you for reading my blog Evanston Newbie, a blog devoted to covering my family's move from El Paso, TX, to Evanston, IL, in 2011. We arrived in June 2011 and several people have pointed out that I am no longer a "newbie" and should start some other blog. But I disagree and want to keep the "newbie" status for a while longer, maybe five years and for several reasons. #1 - there are many Evanston families who have lived here for generations since the town incorporated in the late 1800s, so in comparison to them, I am very much a "newbie". #2 - I firmly believe this blog is a good branding tool for the city of Evanston and it's the least I can do to thank our new town for being so AWESOME! If you have any questions or need to get in touch with my about this blog, Evanston, or anything else you can email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com. Thank you for reading and have an awesome 2013.

Author Series; Naomi Wolf reads from Vagina at Evanston Public Library

It's not often that I use the word "vagina" in a headline or blog post so this is pretty exciting. (I am breaking the vagina hymen on my blog with this post!)

Naomi Wolf is reading at the Evanston Public Library tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 3, 4 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library Author Naomi Wolf discusses her latest book Vagina: A New Biography. The renowned social critic and political activist will take questions and sign books following the program, and copies of Vagina: A New Biography will be available for purchase courtesy of Lake Forest Bookstore.

Naomi Wolf is the author of eight books including the landmark bestsellers The Beauty Myth and The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot. Her essays have appeared in the NY Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Esquire, and her TV appearances include Meet the Press, Larry King Live, and the Colbert Report. She lives in New York City.

Please register online or call (847) 448-8620.

Creating traditions that stick like custard to a child's face

Growing up in San Mateo, California, I distinctly remember the childhood milestone of being able to walk ALL the way from our house to the library down on Hillsdale Boulevard without my mom having to push me in the stroller for any part of the journey.

My mother used to walk us to the library all the time, a cute little building with big windows, lots of plants and the cutest children's reading room ever. This journey is still one of my earliest memories and before I even knew it, I started that tradition of walking to the library with my children when we moved to Evanston. (We used to walk to our library in El Paso but too infrequently to call it a habit.)

These days we walk to the library every week, each child in charge of their own late fees and library card, to pick up weekly reading. The staff is lovely, the facility is always clean and my children look forward to it.

It's also important to point out that we usually follow the library visit with a trip to Andy's Custard just up the street which probably guarantees my children are willing to go.

When we first arrived last summer, we would visit the library just for something to do and now we go because we are library patrons and readers and residents of Evanston. It's a new tradition, one that we do weekly, and I will lead the charge of making sure it sticks, like custard to a child's face.

Update: After I posted this, I sent it along to my mother, who emailed this reply, which was too cute not to share; When you were still in a stroller Karen, Denise, and I would walk to the library pushing you along. We would fill up the basket on the back of the stroller and with your sneaky little hands, you would toss a couple of books out quite frequently. It was a long hike home, but we perservered every Saturday! Congrats to you and the Boys

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Thank you for reading my blog "Evanston Newbie", a project that I am using to chronicle my new life in Evanston. Do you have favorite Evanston bakeries, bike shops, events that you can recommend? Send me an email at thelisadshow@gmail.com and I will post my review on this blog. -Lisa Degliantoni

Free: Family history research sessions to help you start filling out your family tree

Getting started on family history research and need a little help? Nancy Schultz, Regent of the Fort Dearborn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will provide free help with genealogy research. No appointments needed; just stop by!

Mondays, March 26, April 30 and May 14, 1- 3 .pm., 3rd Floor West Conference Room, Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.