Community Calendar

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
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I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

The Black & White PLUS Photography Show is a juried exhibition celebrating the strength and versatility of monochrome photography. This show invites photographers to explore imagery created without full color (including traditional black-and-white, sepia-toned and cyanotype), focusing instead on composition, contrast, light, shadow, texture, and visual storytelling.

The gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday 10-4 or by appointment.

April 10 (7:00-8:30pm, NIU Recital Hall) | Sounds of Crossing Borders: A highlight of the festival featuring the original works of several acclaimed composers including Hong Da Chin, Ka Nin Chan, David Gordon, and Greg Beyer.

Part I: Hong Da Chin’s Recital: A deeply personal and technical exploration of cross-cultural composition performed by an exciting array of performers including guest artists from Wisconsin and Toronto, Canada.

Part II: Arcomusical: The Berimbau in Motion: a curated set of works exploring the intersection of Afro-Brazilian tradition and modern chamber music, centered on the mesmerizing sound of the berimbau (musical bow), a collaboration with Arcomusical, a pioneering ensemble dedicated to the promotion of the berimbau, an Afro-Brazilian musical bow with close ties to the body game of capoeira Angola.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

The free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will again be available at the DeKalb Public Library and is for people with low to moderate incomes. AARP Foundation Tax -Aide volunteers will be available by appointment most Saturdays from February 7 through April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Be sure to bring a photo ID and all necessary tax documents, as well as last year’s return forms.

Please sign up for an appointment by contacting Frances at (815) 991-9418.

For more information, please contact the reference desk at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150 or at reference@dkpl.org.

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
​
I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

The Black & White PLUS Photography Show is a juried exhibition celebrating the strength and versatility of monochrome photography. This show invites photographers to explore imagery created without full color (including traditional black-and-white, sepia-toned and cyanotype), focusing instead on composition, contrast, light, shadow, texture, and visual storytelling.

The gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday 10-4 or by appointment.

Experience a session of restorative Sound Healing interspersed with the transformative words of Walt Whitman. His unrivaled optimism and surprising insight into the potential of America is as relevant today as ever.

You will experience many tones and frequencies that pull us to a peaceful place within. The poetry inspires and deepens the experience.

Sven is a certified sound healer who incorporates a variety of instruments and poetry. He has performed this program of words and sound throughout the United States and in Europe.

This program is open to all ages. Due to the nature of this program, we will be closing the doors at 11:00 a.m., so please arrive on time if you wish to be admitted.

This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

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.