This month’s exhibit on the Art Wall in the Adult Services Department at the Main Library features not just one artist, but many– all members of the 1,000 Words Photography Club of the Algonquin Area Public Library District.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a fragrant herb from the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region. It has small, aromatic leaves on woody stems and produces tiny purple or pink flowers. Thyme grows well in sunny, well-drained soil and is commonly grown in herb gardens. It has been used for thousands of years in cooking, traditional medicine, and cultural practices. […]
This year, our nation marks its 250th birthday! Celebrate America’s people, history, natural wonders, and more with “Read, White, & Blue- Voices of America,” a special reading challenge for AAPLD cardholders. Between March 1 and July 31, 2026, read one book from each of the thirteen categories listed below. Why thirteen? For the original thirteen colonies and the thirteen stripes […]
Just in time for spring planting, Algonquin Area Public Library, is excited to offer the Seed Library which provides seeds to local gardeners free of charge! Take a look at the Seed Library Catalog. Each listing includes photos and descriptions of plant varieties, along with helpful details on when, where, and how to plant them. Seed packet quantities range from […]
February’s exhibit on the Art Wall at the Main Library on Harnish Drive, “Echoes of Hiroshima, A Survivor’s Story” depicts the experiences of Masakazu Saito, who survived the detonation of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima Japan, a little more than a mile from the epicenter. The exhibit displays a series of watercolors painted by an unknown artist, which Saito commissioned […]
Allspice comes from the pepper plant Pimenta dioica, a member of the myrtle family that grows as a shrub or tree and produces aromatic berries. The berries are harvested unripe, then sun-dried, and sold whole or ground as a spice. Originally native to Jamaica, allspice spread throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America by migratory birds. Today, it is grown […]
Who doesn’t love a page-turner? If you’re ready to get lost in a book, consider one of the thrillers on the January Library Reads list– new releases chosen by librarians nationwide as their favorites. So grab a cozy blanket, a cup of your favorite reading brew and settle in for a great read! Not a thriller fan? Check out the […]
Steven Hillmann, AAPLD’s Artist of the Month for January, captures the life in inanimate objects. Buildings and architecture; bustling or abandoned. Toys that appear to be posing for portraits. Even celestial objects, progressing through changes and phases we couldn’t observe on our own. The self-taught photographer says he loves the technical challenge of these subjects. See them for yourself this […]
You could say that Michelle Marsh, AAPLD’s Artist of the Month for December, was born to be a photographer. Her grandmother was an avid photographer, who encouraged Michelle’s childhood interest. Her mother loved adventure– wherever she could find it. Those influences have shaped Michelle’s vision as a nature photographer, and the work she displays this month on the Art Wall […]
Owls have long captured the human imagination with their silent flight, haunting calls, and piercing eyes. These mysterious birds of prey are not only mesmerizing, they’re an essential part of Illinois’ natural ecosystem. Join us for Owls of Illinois, a special program for adults and seniors, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2:00-3:00 p.m., at the Eastgate Branch, located at 115 Eastgate […]
