Upcoming Events

Details listed below for these library-sponsored activities & events:

Free Movies @ Your Library

Children's Program Highlights

Adult Program Highlights

Local History Exhibit

Free Health Screenings

To find out what's going on at the library see also:

Adult Programs | Children's Calendar | Community Health Screenings | Computer Classes

Free Movies @ Your Library

The following films will be shown in the library's lower level meeting room.  Please observe the movie ratings for age restrictions.

• In America (2002) -- Friday, September 17 at 10 a.m. -- A touching, modern story of a young Irish immigrant family adjusting to life in New York City. Rated: PG-13. 105 min.
• The Young Victoria (2009) -- Wednesday, September 29 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. -- A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. Starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. Rated: PG. 100 min.
• Teen Movie Night for Grades 6-10 -- Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. -- Join us for a marathon of episodes from The Simpson’s “Tree House of Horror” series.
• Babies (2010) -- Monday, October 11 at 10 a.m. -- A visually-stunning documentary that
  takes a look at the first year of four babies living in Mongolia, Namibia, San Francisco
  and Tokyo. Rated: PG. 79 min.
• Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) -- Monday, October 11 at 2 p.m. -- In this stop-action animated film, an urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation. Featuring the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray. Rated: PG. 87 min.
• North by Northwest (1951) -- Thursday, October 28 at 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. -- In this Alfred Hitchcock thriller of mistaken identity, Cary Grant plays a hapless New York advertising executive who is chased across the country by foreign spies. Also starring Eva Marie Saint and James Mason. Rated: PG. 101 min.

Children's Program Highlights

These free activities are offered for children ages six months to fourteen years, their parents, and other caregivers. Sign up in person at the Youth Services Desk. You must present the child’s library card to enroll. Preference is given to Oak Lawn residents and students. Residents of other communities will be placed on a waiting list until it can be determined whether they can be accommodated. Each child's library card must be presented at the time of registration. The complete rules and restrictions for all activities and events are listed in a program booklet, which you may pick up at the library or view on our Current Programs web site.

• NEW -- International Storytimes -- Stories, songs and much more! These programs will be delivered entirely in the languages listed below. Additional dates are scheduled for November and December.
  * Polish (3-6 years) -- Saturday, October 9 from 11 a.m. -12 p.m. Advance registration.
  * Spanish (3-5 years) -- Saturday, October 9 from 1-2 p.m. Advance registration.
  * Arabic (5-8 years) -- Saturday, October 16 from 11-11:45 a.m. Advance registration.
• Read to Rover (Age 7 & up) -- Saturdays, September 25 and/or October 23 -- 15 minute period during 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Young readers and special needs children can sign up for a 15-minute time slot to read aloud to a dog from the Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy of Chicago. Advance registration required. Sign up for each month separately.
• Make Art! (Grades 1-2) -- Thursday, October 21 from 4-5 p.m. -- Led by certified art teacher Pam Witkus, this monthly class includes sessions on drawing, painting, mosaic, collage and sculpture. Advance registration required. Limit: 20.
• Amaze Yourself with Art! (Grades 3-5) -- Tuesday, October 19 from 4-5 p.m.-- At this monthly class, certified art teacher Pam Witkus will help students explore art and artistic techniques while learning about renowned artists and art movements. Advance registration required. Limit: 20.
• The Write Stuff (Grades 3-5) -- Tuesdays, September 14 and/or October 12 from 4-5 p.m. -- Young writers will flex their creative muscles with a series of exercises that they can complete during each program session. Advance registration required.
  Sign up for each month separately. Limit: 20.
• Dog Safety (All ages) -- Tuesday, September 21 from 4-5 p.m. -- Should you put your face next to a dog's mouth? Should you pull a strange dog’s tail? A member of the Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy organization will present an animal safety program for all ages but targets the most vulnerable group for dog bites (ages 5-9). This program will teach children how to interact safely with dogs, explain canine body language and offer techniques to use when faced with an aggressive dog.
• Dog Care (All ages) -- Saturday, September 25 from 1-2 p.m. --Are all dog breeds right for all people? How much should you feed a dog? Is it okay to give a dog candy? How often should you take a dog to the vet? Local Veterinarian Dr. Kate McNamara will present vital information about how to choose and care for a dog.
• Halloween Party (Ages 2-7 & caregiver) -- Saturday, October 30 -- Choose one: 11 a.m.-noon or 1-2 p.m. -- A fun, not scary, party with crafts, games and yummy treats. Participants are encouraged to come in costume. No advance registration.
• See a Juggler, Be a Juggler (Ages 4 & up) -- Sunday, November 7 from 3-4 p.m. -- A free, family-friendly variety juggling performance with humor, juggling, balancing stunts and audience participation! After his performance, Jason Kollum will teach everyone, kids and parents alike, early-juggling and balancing skills. Children under age eight must be accompanied by an adult. No advance registration.

Adult Program Highlights

Our library hosts a variety of lectures, workshops and entertainment offerings for a variety of interests. Free admission and no advance registration required, unless otherwise noted.

• How to Get a Government Job -- Thursday, September 16 at 7 p.m. -- Jane Klingberg, Director of Career Services at Triton College, will show you how to navigate government web sites to find and get hired for federal job openings across the country.
• Illinois Ghosts and The Afterlife -- Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. -- Terry Fisk, co-author of The Illinois Road Guide to Haunted Locations, will share evidence of the afterlife, describe his ghost investigation experiences, examine haunted locations in Illinois, as well as share photos, case histories, eyewitness accounts and other ghost lore.
• PC Tools & Maintenance Workshop -- Monday, October 4 at 7 p.m. -- Do you know what tools your Windows PC offers? Learn about updates, user accounts, firewall settings, startup repair, the Windows Security Center and Defender for Vista and Windows 7. Explore basic computer maintenance tasks and resources that will keep your computer running smoothly.
• 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover... Dead! -- Tuesday, October 12 at 7 p.m. -- From poison to pickaxes, the means mystery writers use to kill off their characters are many and varied. The Mystery Mavens will discuss unusual plot devices and methods of murder in this interactive program that encourages audience participation. The Mavens are local mystery authors Luisa Buehler, Sandra Tooley and Mary V. Welk.

Local History Exhibit

History Alive: Preserving the Buildings of Oak Lawn’s Past
Open May 22, 2010 through early 2011

Photo: The O'Brien house, 9402 S. 53rd Ct.

Come and view photographs and artifacts that tell the story of nineteen historic structures throughout Oak Lawn, including the Auschwitz House, Keyhole House, Covington School and Trinity Lutheran Church. Once the exhibit opens, you may stop in anytime during the hours posted for the Local History Room. This special exhibit will be available for viewing through early 2011.

Oak Lawn’s Historic Structures

Tuesday, October 26 at 7 p.m.

Join Local History Coordinator Kevin Korst for an in depth review of the exhibit.

Thank you to all those who support Oak Lawn History and the upcoming Centennial Celebration!  For more information about this and other local history topics, contact Local History Coordinator Kevin Korst by phone, 708-422-4990.

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Free Health Screenings

The Oak Lawn Community Partnership provides free blood pressure screenings and other health-related offerings in the library’s lower level meeting room on the second Wednesday of most months from 10-11 a.m. (a new, shorter time frame), September through June. Blood pressure screenings are performed by personnel from the Oak Lawn Fire Department.

• September 8, 2010 -- With Free Glaucoma Tests
• October 13 -- With Free Hearing Tests
• November 10 -- Stop in to "Ask the Pharmacist"
• No December Screening
• January 12, 2011
• February 9 -- With Free Hearing Tests
• March 9
• April 13 -- Stop in to "Ask the Pharmacist"
• May 11
• June 8 -- With Free Hearing Tests
• No July & August Screenings