A Conversation with Jesmyn Ward

Tuesday, June 6, 7–8 p.m. / Zoom

Two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward will discuss her life, literary vision and unique perspectives on love and loss. Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of American Library Association, will join the conversation.

Ward is the critically acclaimed author of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir, including bestselling Sing, Unburied, Sing, Salvage the Bones, and the memoir Men We Reaped. Her many honors include the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, a MacArthur Genius Grant and a Strauss Living Award. In 2017, she became the first woman and first person of color to win the National Book Award for Fiction twice. Hall is an American librarian, author, curator and advocate for the arts. She is the first African American woman to lead the American Library Association.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library.

GENEALOGY & LOCAL HISTORY

Discover your roots.

Wednesday June 7, 7–8 p.m. / Zoom

Georgia Keilman, the administrator of the Hellenic Genealogy Greek Facebook group, the Hellenic Genealogy Greek Research Links website and Hellenic Genealogy Greek blog will share what records are available online and how to access them.

Swedish Genealogy Help

Wednesday, May 17, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. / Zoom

Sign up for a virtual appointment with genealogist Kathy Meade to get help with your Swedish ancestors. Meade can help you navigate ArkivDigital and direct you to additional Swedish research resources. Half-hour appointments available.

Learn A Language At The Library

Hablemos Español

(Let’s Speak Spanish)

Monday, May 1, 6–7 p.m. / Room H

Monday, May 15, 6–7 p.m. / Zoom

Monday, June 5, 6–7 p.m. / Room H

A conversation club to improve and practice your Spanish en la Biblioteca! Meet other Spanish learners and speakers in your community and brush up your skills. All levels welcome.

Parliamo Italiano

(Let’s Speak Italian)

Wednesdays, May 3 and 17, 7–8 p.m. Room I

Interested in learning, improving, or maintaining your spoken Italian? Join an Italian teacher to grow your language abilities. All levels welcome.

Parlons Français (Let’s Speak French)

Tuesdays, May 9 and 23, 7–8 p.m. / Zoom

Join a resident native speaker and grow your language abilities. All levels welcome.

BUSINESS & NONPROFIT

Start something big.

Wednesday, May 31, 6–8 p.m. Training Center

Get a free professional headshot taken at the library to help enhance your job search, business card, website and promotional materials, LinkedIn and other social accounts. Sign up for one of four available 30-minute time slots.

SCORE Business Mentoring

Thursdays, May 4, 25 and June 1, 9 a.m.–noon / Monday, May 8, 6–8 p.m. / Appointment Room

One-on-one mentoring by experts who have experience in all aspects of business. Virtual appointments available upon request.

JOBS & CAREERS

Take the next step.

Create a resume with Peterson’s Test Prep

Thursday, May 18, 1–3 p.m. / Training Center

The VisualCV Resume Creator powered by Peterson’s Test Prep, allows customers to edit an existing resume or create one from scratch. This tool is convenient and easy to use, providing several industry-specific examples. In this workshop, learn the steps of writing a resume using Peterson’s Test Prep. Bring a copy of your most recent resume.

Take Home Jobs Kit

Kits include a variety of information focused on job searching, skill building, resume writing and overall career exploration, as well as interview prep materials. Call 847-392-0100 or email questions@ahml.info to request your kit while supplies last. One per customer.

Interview Prep Kit

The library’s Interview Prep Kit has all the essentials you need to ace your interview, including:

• Interview Prep Checklist

• 15 Common Interview Questions and Answers Interview Worksheet

• Interview Settings

• Questions to Ask the Hiring Committee

For more resources and information, visit ahml.info/services/careers

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

Remarkably Bright Creatures

by Shelby Van Pelt

Monday, May 8, 7–8 p.m. / Cardinal Room or DAYTIME DISCUSSION: Thursday, May 25, 10–11 a.m. Conference Room H

A charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning and hope that traces a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus. This debut novel gives us a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.