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I'm a life long science fiction reader, and I'm interested in science, too. But I often find fiction to be easier to read than nonfiction - as if there's going to be a pop quiz at the end of the book.

So I'm happy to say I've found some fascinating and very easy-to-read science books on my favorite subject: the incredibly weird world of astrophysics.

Continue Reading "The Truth is Out There: The incredibly weird world of astrophysics" →

More than 15 years ago, Texas artist Robert Jessup painted a 90 foot mural for the second floor of the library. Like all of the library's art, it was funded by generous donations from Des Plaines residents. The mural called on children's stories from around the globe - Rapunzel, Aladdin, John Henry, Sinbad, and many more. Colorful and durable, it covered the entire south wall, surrounding the fish tank and the Storytime Room. Then in 2014, we expanded the Storytime Room (now called the Program Room) to meet the greatly increased demand for children's programming. But this project changed the shape of the wall, and the mural had to go into storage while we decided on a new home for it.

Luckily, the renovation revealed the perfect spot for it - the long hallway by Room A on the ground floor. 

Continue Reading "Get to Know the Second Floor Mural - Now on the First Floor!" →

This is the season for awards. The Grammys, the Oscars, ​but most thrilling of all, the ALA YMAs. What is that you ask? The American Library Association Youth Media Awards, of course.

The oldest of these awards are the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature and the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.

I am always excited to learn who wins the Pura Belpré, Coretta Scott King, Robert F. Sibert and Theodor Geisel awards, too.

Continue Reading "And the Award Goes to . . ." →

I am lucky enough to have tried and learned these different tablets. Read on for a short 100-word guide on each type of tablet and begin to understand core differences between the iPad, Android, and Kindle Fire.

Continue Reading "300 Word Tablet War: Android vs iPad vs Kindle Fire" →

Last year about this time I went out on a limb and publicly shared my 2015 Goals, in hopes that doing so would make them stick. This time.

I resolved not to resolve.  Instead, I set goals, a long-term plan for an intentional way of living.

Nevermind that my goals have no numbers attached to them. I am told it's not a "goal" if it's not measurable. I'm choosing to ignore that. My goals, my rules, ha!

I shared books in the DPPL collection to help me on my journey, and created Pinterest Boards to inspire me on my journey.  

Continue Reading "Remember last January when I shared my (quite personal) 2015 goals?  Here’s how it went." →