be an Informed Consumer

Maybe you’re about to invest in a new refrigerator or a new car, or perhaps it’s time to call out a plumber or a roofer for some work around the house. Before you call, check for reviews! The library offers free access to these resources, with remote access for cardholders.

ConsumerReports.org

The biggest name in product reviews, ConsumerReports.org rates thousands of different products, including cars, home & garden tools, appliances, electronics, financial services and much more. There are also great articles to help you spend your money (and time) more wisely. The mobile-friendly website means it’s easy to log in via the library’s link and check out products as you’re looking at them in the store!

Consumer’s Checkbook

A longtime resource for overviews and service reviews from customers, Consumer’s Checkbook rates providers of hundreds of services across the Chicago area in auto, home, financial, healthcare, personal, travel & leisure, and even pet care services. You can narrow the listings by coverage areas and look for their top ratings for quality and price. In addition to ratings, Consumer’s Checkbook has informational articles on how best to hire a variety of services.

Find these resources at ahml.info/research/databases under the “Consumer” category. If you need assistance, contact the library via phone or our website.

Book Discussions

Join the conversation.

Register to attend a book discussion. Stop by the Info Desk to pick up a copy of any of the books or contact us at 847-392-0100 to request a copy. Book discussion titles are also available as an eBook and eAudiobook.

Page Turners

Lessons in Chemistry

by Bonnie Garmus

Monday, March 13, 7–8 p.m. / Cardinal Room or Thursday, March 23, 10–11 a.m. / Conference Room H

Set in America during the 1950s and 1960s, Lessons in Chemistry tells the dazzling story of Elizabeth Zott, a woman like no one you’ve ever met. She is a brilliant chemist and feminist icon who is forced to become a television chef when she finds herself a young, single mother. This heartwarming debut and its quirky heroine is perfect to discuss for Women’s History Month.

BOOKS & BREWS

Second City Sinners

by Jon Seidel

Wednesday, March 15, 7–8 p.m. Eddies Restaurant, 10 E. Northwest Highway

Second City Sinners tells the stories of Chicago’s most notorious crimes, trials and investigations based upon hundreds of articles published over more than a century in the Chicago Daily News and its sister papers.

Read And Reflect

Author Visit

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes

by Dan Egan

Wednesday, March 22, 7–8 p.m. / Cardinal Room

The Great Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior hold 20 percent of the world’s supply of surface fresh water and provide sustenance, work and recreation for tens of millions of Americans. Prize-winning reporter Dan Egan’s portrait of an ecological catastrophe blends the epic story of the lakes with an examination of the perils they face and the ways we can restore and preserve them for generations to come.

Classes

All in-person tech classes are held in the Training Center, unless otherwise noted. Register for Tech Classes starting March 1. More information available at ahml.info.

Basic Computer Skills

Friday, March 3, 10–11:30 a.m.

Learn the components of a window, how to use a mouse, and open and close files.

Beginners’ Internet

Monday, March 6, 10–11:30 a.m.

Learn to use a web browser to surf the internet and find reliable, useful and fun information.

How to Use Your iPad/iPhone

Monday, March 6, 1:30–3 p.m.

Learn to use your device’s settings, apps, web browser and much more. Bring your iPad or iPhone if you have one.

Beginning Computing with Windows 10

Wednesday, March 8, 10–11:30 a.m.

Learn how to launch programs; create, rename and delete files as well as folders; organize your desktop and more.

Excel: Basics

Wednesday, March 8, 1:30–3 p.m.

Learn about spreadsheets and how to move within them and the basics of Excel including rows, columns, tabs and more. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills needed.

Using Your Mac: Basics

Thursday, March 9, 7–8:30 p.m.

Learn all about the Mac operating system, from the keyboard and your Apple ID, to launching apps, organizing files and changing settings.

How to Use Your Android Device

Friday, March 10, 10–11:30 a.m.

Learn how to install apps, manage your device settings and more. Bring your Android device if you have one.

How to Use Your iPad/iPhone’s Apps

Monday, March 13, 1:30–3 p.m.

Explore in-depth many of the default apps available on your iPad or iPhone. Bring your device if you have one. Requirement: Comfortable with the basic functions of an iPad or iPhone.

PowerPoint: Basics

Monday, March 13, 7–8:30 p.m.

This class covers the basics for developing an interesting presentation. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills needed.

Digitize It: Reel to Reel Film

Tuesday, March 14, 11 a.m.–noon

Learn how to digitize your 8mm, 16mm film reels. Learn how you can utilize the specialized equipment and software in the Studio space. You will also have the opportunity to schedule an appointment to bring in and convert your personal film reels at a future date.

Excel: Intermediate

Wednesday, March 15, 1:30–3 p.m.

Learn about charts and graphs as well as some commonly used functions for working with data. Working knowledge of Excel required.

Selling Online Overview

Wednesday, March 15, 7–8:30 p.m. / Zoom

In this class, you’ll learn tips when it comes to selling items on sites such as Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and Etsy. No accounts needed; this will be an overview of these services.

Word: Basics

Thursday, March 16, 10–11:30 a.m.

This class will introduce you to the essentials: all the tabs, especially the File and Home tabs, and how to change words on the page. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills needed.

Using Apple’s iCloud

Thursday, March 16, 7–8:30 p.m.

Learn the ins and outs of iCloud and work seamlessly between your iPhone, iPad and Mac computer with synchronized contacts, calendars and more.

Digitize It: Audio and Slides/Photos

Monday, March 20, 2–3 p.m.

Learn how to digitize your vinyl records, audio cassettes, 35mm slides and photos. Learn how you can utilize the specialized equipment and software in the Studio space. You will also have the chance to schedule an appointment to bring in and convert your personal items.

PowerPoint: Intermediate

Monday, March 20, 7–8:30 p.m.

Take your PowerPoint skills to the next level. Learn how to enhance your presentations with creative effects. Working knowledge of PowerPoint required.

Let’s Photoshop: Fixing Photos

Tuesday, March 21, 7–8:30 p.m.

In this hands-on Photoshop workshop, you’ll learn to improve everyday photos by editing colors, fixing blemishes and more.

Excel: Charts and Graphs

Wednesday, March 22, 2–3 p.m.

Take an in-depth look at how to use Excel to display data using charts and graphs. Intermediate knowledge of Excel required.

Word: Intermediate

Thursday, March 23, 10–11:30 a.m.

Learn how to change margins, use bullet points, formatting, tables, templates and more. Working knowledge of Word is required.

Digitize It: VHS and 8mm Tapes

Thursday, March 23, 7–8 p.m.

Learn how to digitize your VHS, 8mm, Hi8, VHS-C and Mini DV tapes using the equipment and software in the Studio.

eBooks, eAudiobooks, Movies and More

Friday, March 24, 1:30–3 p.m.

Learn all about the free eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music and magazines you can access from home or on the go with your library card.

PowerPoint: Transitions and Animations

Monday, March 27, 7–8 p.m.

Take an in-depth look at how to work with transitions and animations in your PowerPoint presentations. Intermediate knowledge of PowerPoint required.

Design It: Personalized Coasters

Tuesday, March 28, 7–8:30 p.m.

Learn how to use fonts in Adobe Illustrator to create designs of decorative initials. These designs can then be used in various projects, such as being printed onto coasters at the Makerplace using the new sublimation printer.