Staff Picks

Pride and Progress

Note: This story originally ran in 2021 and is one of many written by DPPL staff recommending excellent LGBTQIAP+ reading recommendations.  Find more HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Here at Des Plaines Public Library, we are happy to celebrate June as Pride Month!

Pride Month commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. 

In the early morning of June 28, 1969, Manhattan police tried to raid the Stonewall Inn and many of the patrons of the gay bar, including Trans activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, decided that enough was enough. Violence broke out between police and the growing crowd, leading to what we now view today to be one of the most important moments in the gay liberation movement.

Pride Month is a time for people who identify as LGBTQIAP+ to celebrate and proudly express their sexual and gender identities via parades, parties, picnics, art, and more, in ways as varied and unique as all the members of the community.

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Des Plaines Memory

A Death in the Family

Picture of Jo Bonell Blog
by Jo
06.07.22

Many of you have felt a conspicuous absence among the 4th floor staff lately.

Steven Giese

In fact, our dear colleague and friend Steven Giese died last month.

Steven was a Reference librarian here for many years.

He was a gifted researcher, but more importantly, Steven was infinitely kind and patient.

Not only did patrons receive the information they wanted, Steven had a way about him that made people feel respected. 

He made people feel that they belonged.

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