Give some time to support the library

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Updated: January 30, 2012 8:18AM

Can you donate an hour or two of your time each month to assist the library as it expands its mission? There are projects for all levels of interest and energy.

Do you think you could tutor, or even just let people practice their English by talking with you regularly?

Our plants need regular attention. They need watering, trimming, turning and dusting. Can you help?

Donated books, which are not being added to our collection, need to be sorted through. Many need to be packed and labeled for shipping. If you can lift 30 pounds, maybe this is a way you could volunteer.

Every two months, we have to count and mail our newsletter, and then hand deliver loose copies to a number of distribution points in churches and community centers.

We are hoping to begin “tagging” the historic photos in the Hammill collection and need seniors to help identify locations and people in the photos.

We are hoping to set up a team of volunteers who can deliver books to homebound residents of Franklin Park. If you have a valid drivers license and like to visit and talk about books, this is the spot for you.

If you speak Spanish and are computer savvy, we could use your skills to expand our computer tutorials.

If you are a neatnik, we need someone who hates dust to help clean our computers regularly.

We need teens to help launch our oral history project by interviewing their grandparents and neighbors about life in Franklin Park.

And always, we need Friends who recognize the value of the library for our community and who will advocate for the library on local, state and national issue with friends, family and political leaders.

Volunteers are needed. Contact Janet Forde at jforde@franklinparklibrary.org or (847) 455-6016 ext. 222, if you can help.

Happenings@
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Adults

Quilters Circle: The library Quilters Circle will celebrate its third year at the Franklin Park Library this March. To celebrate “National Quilting Month,” the library will feature a display of quilts during the month of March.

This January, the group, facilitated by Margaret Mischnick and Lys Shradeja, will initiate a new class format. Starting with the Jan. 4 meeting, the class will divide into two segments. The first 45-60 minutes will include demonstrations of quilt blocks or other sewing/quilting projects. Everyone is encouraged to share ideas and suggestions, or request a demonstration of a specific project or pattern. The second period of the class will include time for working on your own projects and socializing, as well as opportunities to seek help with anything you may be working on in class or at home.

Any interested quilters and would-be quilters are invited to stop in and visit the group. The Quilters Circle meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Resolve to Read: This year’s winter reading program lets you choose your areas of interest. Our goal is to help you persevere in your New Year’s resolution to learn new things. As usual, you submit a reading log for each item read (or listened to) and each log enters you into our drawings. This year’s grand prize is a football donated by the Chicago Bears. But beware, this year adults and young adults will compete against each other.

Knitting & Crochet Group: Beginning Jan. 14, the library will host a once monthly craft group. All skill levels are invited. Novices will learn the basics and those with more experience can share their projects and skills. Sessions will begin at 1 p.m. and last for about two hours. Call Karen for more information at (847) 455-6016.

Conversation Circle: Our Conversation Circle will begin again on Jan. 17 and will meet every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

This Circle will run for 12 weeks, with the last session on April 3. The Conversation Circle is a place to practice English conversation skills in a friendly, informal setting. While any topic (except religion and politics) can be discussed, the focus of this new Circle will be “slang expressions.” So start making a list of strange or not quite clear expressions that you hear over the holidays. We will explore them and many others during the Circle. Join us please.

Young Adults

January: Monday, Jan. 9, 5 p.m.: Teen Advisory Board Meeting — We will prepare for the coming Minecraft events and brainstorm possible events for AP test prep and the Digital Media Lab. New members welcome.

Thursday, Jan. 12, 5 p.m.: AniManga Club — The latest volumes of Arisa and Fairy Tail are out. Also, watch episodes of D. Gray-Man or an oldie-but-goodie Grave of the Fireflies.

Monday, Jan. 23, 3 p.m.: FAFSA Completion — The Illinois Student Assistance Commission will be at the library to help you fill out your FAFSA application. The sooner you file, the sooner you can apply for all the available scholarships and financial aid.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 5 p.m.: Minecraft Building Competition — Join us in the Square and build the ultimate monster-proof structure. Prizes will be awarded to some lucky participants. You will need a registered Minecraft account to compete. Please bring your laptop if you have one.