Upcoming Events

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

Free Movies @ Your Library

Children's Program Highlights

Adult Program Highlights

Village of Oak Lawn Centennial

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.

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• FOR TEENS IN GRADES 6-10 -- 2012 (2009) -- Wednesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. -- This action-filled adventure thriller tells the tale of a global cataclysm that causes the end to the world and the heroic struggle of its survivors. Rated: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language. 158 min.
• Pride and Prejudice (2005) -- Friday, March 12 at 10 a.m. -- An adaptation of Jane Austen's humorous story about five sisters looking for love and marriage among English gentility during the Georgian era. Starring Keira Knightley. Rated: PG. 129 min.
  
• Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland (1951) -- Monday, March 22 at 2 p.m. -- Alice follows the White Rabbit into Wonderland, where she meets many odd characters, from the Mad Hatter to the Queen of Hearts. Based on the book by Lewis Carroll. Rated: G. 75 min.
• Up in the Air (2009) -- Thursday, March 25 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. -- George Clooney stars as a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road takes a turn when he meets a young overachieving coworker and the frequent-flyer woman of his dreams. Rated R. 109 min.
  
• E. T. the Extraterrestrial (1982) -- Monday, April 5 at 2 p.m. -- A young boy discovers a stranded alien and must help him find his way home. Rated: PG. 115 min.
• Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) Wednesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. -- A drama based on the true story of a college professor's bond with the abandoned dog that he takes into his home. Starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen. Rated: G. 93 min.
• FOR TEENS IN GRADES 6-10 -- Twilight: New Moon (2009) -- Wed., April 7 at 6:30 p.m. When Edward leaves Bella, her hole world is turned upside down. With Bella's heart broken, she turns to Jacob (Jake) her best friend to fill the void that was left by Edward. As Bella spends more time with Jake, she learns that there's more than vampires in the town of Forks. PG-13. 130 min.
  
• The Blind Side (2009) Monday, April 26 at 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. -- NOTE EARLIER EVENING START -- The heartwarming story of a homeless and traumatized boy who becomes an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Quinton Aaron. Rated: PG-13. 128 min.
  
• The Wizard of Oz "Sing-Along" (1939) -- Saturday, May 1 at 2 p.m. -- There’s no place like the library when we head “Over the Rainbow” with Dorothy on her adventures through Oz. Come sing along with all the songs in this interactive movie experience. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum. Rated: G. 101 min.
• Coming June through August 2010 -- The "Reel Book" summer movie series!

Children's Program Highlights

These free activities are offered for children ages six months to fourteen years, their parents, and other caregivers. Registration for many of these programs begins Saturday, August 29, unless otherwise noted. 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 web site (www.oaklawnlibrary.org).

• Read to Rover (Age 7 & up) -- Saturdays, March 27 and/or April 24 -- 15 minute period during 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Advance in-person registration required -- Young readers and special needs children can sign up for a 15-minute time slot to read aloud to a registered therapy dog from the Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy of Chicago Sign up for each month separately.
• Exploring Nature (Grades K-2) -- Thursdays, March 18 and/or April 22 from 4-5 p.m. -- Join Emily Kenny of Multidisciplinary Education for the Environment (ME4E) as she leads monthly scientific explorations with fun activities. Advance registration required. Sign up for each month separately. Limit: 30.
  

• Cooking for Kids  (Grades 3‑5) -- Tuesdays, March 16 and/or April 20 from 4‑5 p.m. -- Advance in-person registration and fee required -- Join professional Chef Eileen Turner and her cooking partner Jackie Stover in exploring interesting and fun aspects of cooking.  Young cooks will take home their creations.  Advance registration required.  Sign up for each month separately.  There is a $5 non‑refundable fee for each session due at registration.  Limit: 30.

• The Write Stuff (Grades 3‑5) -- Tuesdays, March 23 and/or April 27 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.
• Strawberry Shortcake Party (Ages 2-7 & a caregiver) -- Saturday, March 20.  Choose one: 11 a.m. to noon -OR- 1-2 p.m. -- Mmmm! Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Muffin, Lemon Meringue! No, they aren’t desserts to eat; it’s a party all about Strawberry Shortcake and her friends, even the Purple Pieman!  Participants will meet Strawberry Shortcake and have a berry fun time creating crafts, playing games and eating a yummy snack! No advance registration.
• Earth Day Concert: DreamTree Shakers -- Sunday, April 18 from 3-4 p.m. -- This Chicago-based band will play original music geared toward kids of all ages. Drawing upon the talents of a rotating cast of musicians, the group will twist and shake like leaves and trees as they sing and play songs full of the stories of the forest.

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.

• ACT Prep Workshop -- Monday, March 8 at 7 p.m. -- Learn strategies to improve your child's ACT score, factors that influence college admissions and entrance exam tips from Stephanie Latkovski, Ph.D. of the Huntington Learning Center in Oak Lawn.
• Healthy Dining on a Dime -- Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. -- Laura Bruzas, author and founder of HealthyDining.org, will share her top tips for big time savings, whether eating in or dining out.
• Perennials for Chicagoland -- Monday, March 15 at 7 p.m. -- Carolyn Ulrich, editor of Chicagoland Gardening magazine, will guide you to the best plant and flower varieties that will thrive in our area and return year after year.
• The Art & Life of Frida Kahlo -- Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. -- Michelle Paluch-Mishur of Art Excursions, Inc. will present a slide lecture that explores the life and work of this 20th century Mexican artist.

• Chicago’s Women of Influence -- Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. -- Laurie Russell from the Chicago Architecture Foundation will explain the enormously influential role that women played in Chicago's history and development.

• National Parks Travelogue ‑‑ Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. -- John Lynn will share a slide show of images that take you on his 600 mile mountain bicycle ride from Jackson Hole, Wyoming to West Glacier, Montana.  Sights include Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, and a whole lot of Big Sky Country.

• Job Search Techniques ‑‑ Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m. -- Advance in-person registration and fee required -- Learn about how to target and research prospective employers, informational interviewing, salary negotiations and methods for networking from a representative of the Moraine Valley Workforce and Development Department. In-person registration begins: Saturday, March 13 at the Reception Booth. Fee: $5 for materials. Limit: 25.
  

Village of Oak Lawn Centennial

Plans have been set in motion for a year-long commemoration of the Village of Oak Lawn’s Centennial with a variety of exhibits, activities and public programs.

In Spring 2009, the library unveiled a large-scale Centennial Exhibit in the Local History Room, second floor. Come celebrate Oak Lawn’s 100th birthday by stopping in to view more than 100 different photographs and artifacts, including early Village documents, Cook School items and much more. Experience Oak Lawn’s rich history as never seen before in a unique exhibit that will be on display in the Local History Room through early April 2010. This exhibit was made possible through the generous donation and loan of items by private citizens, businesses, schools, service organizations and government agencies.

Thank you to all those who support Oak Lawn History and the upcoming Centennial Celebration!  For more information about the library’s centennial celebration and other local history topics, you may view a pamphlet here or 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.

• March 10, 2010 -- With Free Take-Home Colorectal Screening Kits provided by Advocate Christ Medical Center

• April 14, 2010 With Free One-on-one "Ask the Pharmacist" Consultations provided by Advocate Christ Medical Center

• May 12, 2010 -- With Free Glaucoma Screenings performed by Dr. Narbone of Complete Vision Care

• June 9, 2010 -- With Free Hearing Tests provided by Advocate Christ Medical Center

• No screenings in July and August 2010