WOLD – The Tree is a call in program the third Wednesday of every month from 9:00 – 9:30 am. It is moderated by our Outreach Services Manager, Tina Williams, and you’ll hear programming and other information from Amy Byrne, Crest Hill Branch Manager, Patricia Jarog, Lockport Branch Manager, and Beverly Krakovec, Assistant Director & Romeoville Branch Manager. To listen, call in to 815-552-0890.

Here is the recording for Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

And here’s the transcript:

Jenny Suva, Outreach Services reminded everyone that the White Oak Library District is closed Wednesday, July 4, 2018 in observance of Independence Day. Our next call will be Wednesday, July

Amy Byrne, Crest Hill Branch Manager:

Good Morning! We’ve got some great programs coming up in June and the beginning of July that I’d like to share with you. Many of these programs require registration, so you will want to use our events calendar, stop in, or give us a call to sign up.

Tonight at 6:30 we have Coal Black Exotics which will be a fun program to bring your grand kids to!

Tomorrow morning we have a program by TRIAD for Seniors about pre-planning your funeral. It’s at 9:00 am.

On Wednesday June 27^th at 6:00 pm listen to historical performer Dr. Leslie Goddard perform: Ten People from Illinois Who Changed the World (Besides Abraham Lincoln)

The next night, Thursday the 28^th, we’re bringing back Trivia Night! Sponsored by Giovan’s Pizzeria & Restaurant munch on appetizers and enjoy adult beverage while your team of four or fewer answer trivia questions to win a prize. Each team will pay $10 to participate.

Now for July!

Because of room scheduling difficulties, there are no Sit & Stay Fit Classes in July.

On the second Wednesday of every month, in July on the 11th, Lockport Township Financial Aid will be with us from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. This program is available to Lockport Township Residents who may qualify for assistance with rent/mortgage and utilities.

On Thursday the 12th at 6:00 pm, Author & Jet Setter Cynthia Clampitt will present Travel Savvy: Tips

On Wednesday, July 18th, a Humana representative will widen your toolbox of tricks on remaining positive when the negative aspects of life happen. With the presentation Positive Thinking: When Life Gives You Lemons

On Sunday, July 22nd Luis Penaherrera will present Suburban Gardening 101. Topics to be discussed: rain barrels, solar power, automated watering systems, container/shelf gardening, composting, worm farming, and wheat grass trays.

On Wednesday, July 25^th AARP TEK will be here for a couple of iPhone classes. See our program calendar, stop in, or give us a call for registration information.

Our monthly Trivia Night for July is on Thursday the 26^th at 6:30 pm

On Tuesday, July 31st Eileen from JourneyCare will present For the Love of Food! Tips and Tastes from Around the World. Learn new ideas for preparing meals for small groups and yourself.

Many of you know Andrew, Crest Hill Branch Adult Services Librarian, well, I’m sad to report that Andrew will be leaving us for a new job, and his last day will be Thursday, July 5, 2018. We are planning a going away party in which the public will be invited. Look for details soon at the Crest Hill Branch and the White Oak Blogs website at www.whiteoakblogs.org

Patricia Jarog, Lockport Branch Manager

If you haven’t heard, the community of Lockport and the Lockport Branch Library in particular is being treated to some wonderful community art projects thanks to the Gaylord Building securing an NEA grant to sponsor artists to work in Lockport this summer. It’s called unLOCK: Merging and Art and Industry in Lockport.

Artist John McDavitt has started a large mural in our building on the 1^st floor in Children’s Services. The 10 x 5 foot mural depicts important moments in Lockport’s history, and I invite all of you to stop in and see the work in progress. However, you can do more than just stop in and look, you can also help paint the mural under the artist’s direction. There are open community paint times on Mondays, Tuesday, and Thursdays throughout until the end of June. You can just drop by during the paint times or call to reserve a time slot. And, you don’t need to be an artist to participate. People between the ages of 8 and 80 have been painting. So, be a part of Lockport’s new history and sign up to paint.  Mondays between 1 and 3 pm; Tuesdays between  6 and 8 pm, and Thursdays between 11 am and 1 pm. Call 815-552-4265 to reserve a time.

Another artist we’ve had the pleasure of working with is Samuel Love who takes poetry written by local residents and converts it to public art. He conducts a monthly poetry workshop at the Lockport Branch Library. The next one is Saturday, June 30^th from 11 am to 1 pm.  He makes writing poetry fun!

Every summer, we try to host some interesting live animal shows. Coming up on Tuesday, June 26^th, we are looking forward to the Incredible Bats show in Lockport at 7:00 pm.  You will learn and see bats up close and personal.  I know that I’ve had bats on the brain since I heard about the rabid bat found in Oak Lawn on June 1^st. I can assure you, though, that the bats at this program are disease free!

Coming up on June 28^th, we’ll be offering a new computer class – an Introduction to Google Drive – during which you’ll learn all about the collaborative share features of Google Drive. It’s at 2:00 pm in our Computer Lab, and registration is required. Just call the Library.

Lastly, I want to tell you about a very exciting opportunity to have fun and explore and the popular locked room mystery phenomenon sweeping the country – the Escape Room, of course! Yes, we’ll lock you in a room, sort of, but don’t worry, you won’t have to do any physical stunts – it’s a mind game of solving puzzles, riddles, and thinking on your feet. You and your group will have 30 minutes to escape. If you don’t,  we’ll let you out, anyways. And, if you do, you’ll get bragging rights. It’s on Saturday, July 14^th with time slots available on the hour between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm. So, get a group together and prepare to have fun at the Library!

And, it’s not too late to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge which goes through July 13^th.  You read anyways, now you’ll get incentives for reading including a free book and a chance to win some fabulous prizes! Do it today!

Beverly Krakovec, Assistant Director & Romeoville Branch Manager

Programs in June

Escape From Debt – Thursday, June 21  7:00 – 8:00 pm
Debt comes in many forms – credit card, car loans, student loans, mortgages, personal loans, and more. We’ll be learning techniques to help you manage your debts.

Dating Over 50: Have Fun – Be Safe
Friday, June 29   5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Dating at any age can be daunting, but even more so for those of us over 50. We will share tips on dating, dating apps, and safety tips while enjoying a glass of wine (or coffee) and conversation. Maybe you’ll meet your next date at our event! The group will continue the conversation at a local restaurant following the event

Programs in July

Top Travel Apps for Summer
Monday, July 2 –  6:00 – 7:00 pm
Whether it’s tighter security for air travel or congestion on expressways, travel can be stressful. The good news is that you’re likely carrying a smartphone with you. Whether you’re heading out on a road trip or planning to fly, there are countless travel apps to make your trip go more smoothly.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry visits the Romeoville Branch the second Monday of every month from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Their next visit will be on Monday, July 9.  Nutritious food is distributed for free to low-income neighbors in need, and it is distributed on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Please bring your own bags and boxes. Items will be distributed in the Library parking lot.

Protecting Your Privacy Online
Saturday, July 14  — 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Learn how to limit what’s shared about you online. Find out how browser plug-ins, proxies, and the Tor browser can help keep your information private.

Stretch Your Grocery Dollars
Tuesday, July 17 10:30 – 11:30 am
Don’t think that eating healthy has to cost a fortune. A Humana representative will show us you CAN save money on food and still eat well without breaking the bank.

Fairy Garden Houses
Wednesday, July 18   6:00 – 8:00 pm
Who wouldn’t want to make a magical fairy house? There’s just something magical and enchanting about fairies, fairy gardens and fairy houses.  Come and decorate a house for your garden fairy!  Please register as space is limited.

Rummage Sale – Giving Back to the Community
Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Love a good rummage sale? White Oak Library District’s rummage sale will raise funds to help us give back within our own community.  We’ve collected some great items already and they’ll be sold at reasonable prices to the community. All proceeds from the rummage sale will be donated back within the community. Any items not sold will be donated to agencies that help the less-advantaged. You’re going to find great bargains and do something good for those less fortunate. It’s a win, win.

We’re still accepting donated items such as clothing, electronics, books or home goods.  Just drop them off at the Romeoville Branch Circulation Desk.

Ann Stokes – African American Civil War Nurse
Monday, July 23  7:00 – 8:00 pm
Storyteller and living history actor Marlene Rivero portrays Ann Stokes, who is believed to have been the first African American woman to serve on board a U.S. military vessel. Under the direction of the Sisters of the Order of the Holy Cross, Stokes and her fellow nurses treated almost 3,000 patients on board. Rivero presents a first-person account of Stokes’ inspiring fortitude.

This event is being produced in part by Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, a program that provides organizations statewide with affordable, entertaining, and thought-provoking humanities events for their communities.

Dellwood Chronicles Book Signing with Dr. Reno Caneva
Saturday, July 28  10:30 am- 12:00 pm
Meet Dr. Reno Caneva as he talks about his first book Dellwood Chronicles.  The talk will be followed by a book signing.

Dating Over 50: Have Fun – Be Safe
Friday, July 27  5:30  – 7:00 pm
So once again we’ve come to the end of the month – time for another after hours program with Dating Over 50 —  Have Fun, Be Safe.  Dating at any age can be daunting, but even more so for those of us over 50. We will share tips on dating, dating apps, and safety tips while enjoying a glass of wine (or coffee) and conversation. Maybe you’ll meet your next date at our event! The group will continue the conversation at a local restaurant following the event