Community Calendar

On Wednesday, April 8th Jen Walling, JD, MS will speak on Good Climate Policy, Real Savings, specific to what Illinois has done so far and what we can do next.

Jen Walling has served as the Executive Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since January 2011, where she oversees the strategic direction and management of the organization and lobbies decision-makers on environmental issues. Jen is dedicated to building the power of Illinois’ environmental community to secure policy outcomes that protect the environment.

Jen holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also received a juris doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law and is an attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois. https://ilenviro.org/jennifer-walling/

It will be held at the Freeport Public Library, located at 100 E Douglas Street in Freeport in partnership with the Northwest Illinois Trails Foundation, the University of Illinois Extension, the Northwest Illinois Bird and Nature Alliance, Illinois Sierra Club, and the City of Freeport.

Improv didn’t just change comedy — it reflected how Americans learn to collaborate, adapt, and create. Drawing on the history uncovered in Improv Nation by Sam Wasson, this talk explores the overlooked history of improvisation, from Chicago classrooms and counterculture stages to television and film, revealing how “yes, and” became a distinctly American way of thinking about art, community, and possibility.

This event is intended for adults and is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year. Registration is not required.

For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence products have seemingly arisen from nowhere and are taking the world by storm. Michael Gershbein of VSP Chicago will share the most-discussed AI technology and speculate on the future implications of AI on the workplace and society. Free to attend, but advance registration is required.

Celebrate National Library Week with an author panel you won't want to miss. Join us for a lively and laughter-filled evening with a dynamic panel discussion featuring fiction authors Christina Clancy, Sonali Dev, Nancy Johnson, Sara Maurer, and Rachel Swearingen.

From inspiration and the writing process to what’s next on their creative journeys, this roundtable promises sharp insights, candid moments, and plenty of humor.

Read Between the Lynes will have books available for purchase and signing.

Event will be held in the Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College. Free tickets are available from your local McHenry County library.

Happy Arbor Day!
Join the Boone County Conservation District's Natural Areas Technician Ben Davies to learn about the importance of our oak ecosystems!

Oak savannas and woodlands, collectively referred to as oak ecosystems, are imperiled in Illinois due to habitat loss, invasive species, and fire suppression. On conservation lands across the state, land managers are working to restore these critically important ecosystems, including here in Boone County. This presentation breaks down the history of oak ecosystems in Boone County, what has happened to them, and how we are working to bring them back!

This is a free program, but registration is required. To register, email dgrelecki@bccdil.org or call 815-547-7935.

Curious about the craft of cutting and polishing stones? Join the West Suburban Lapidary Club (WSLC) for monthly meetings at the Museum, where you'll explore the fascinating world of lapidary art! Each session includes presentations and expert guidance on transforming rough stones into polished masterpieces. Check the Museum’s digital newsletter for details on upcoming programs.

Early childhood educators play an essential role in shaping the social, emotional, and physical development of young children—yet their own wellness is often overlooked. To support those who care for the youngest learners, a professional development training, “The Eight Dimensions of Wellness for Early Childcare Providers,” will be offered, providing 1.5 hours of Gateways credit to Illinois early childhood professionals.

This engaging and interactive session explores how the eight dimensions of wellness—emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual—impact both teaching practices and overall well‑being.

Participants will walk away with practical strategies they can implement immediately in their classrooms, as well as tools to support their own health and professional sustainability.

NIU BookLab, NIU Libraries, and the Department of English invite you to this celebration of hands-on book arts, book studies, literary scholarship and creative experimentation.

Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran (1864-1922), this pioneer of investigative journalism is better known by her nom de plume, "Nellie Bly." She became famous for her exposé of the New York City Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island.

On November 14, 1889, Cochrane began a solo trip around the world in emulation of the fictional character Phileas Fogg from the 1873 Jules Verne novel "Around the World in Eighty Days" - completing her trip on January 25, 1890, in the record-breaking time of 72 days, six hours, 11 minutes, & 14 seconds.

During this presentation, you’ll meet Nellie Bly in the US Embassy in Paris in February of 1919. The Great War has ended, and Nellie recounts her adventures as a reporter, in the US, Mexico and as a war correspondent, as she awaits permission to return to the US.

The presentation is followed by a Q&A and photo opportunities.

This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Library and is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year. Registration is not required. All ages are welcome.

For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

We’re excited to invite you to an engaging presentation by Michael Wise, research scientist at the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Wise is a leading expert on pegmatites – remarkable rock formations that host some of the rarest and most beautiful minerals on earth. These minerals may look like dazzling museum specimens, but they also power the technology we carry every day. As a contributor to the Smithsonian’s exhibition “Cellphone: Unseen Connections,” he helped reveal the surprising journey from molten formation to the device in your pocket. Join us as he explores the fascinating story of how minerals formed millions of years ago became essential components in modern cellphones.