Give A Hoot For Illinois Owls!

December 3, 2025 Library Programs

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 Dr., Algonquin. Presenter Alyse Cohen Burman, owner of The WildBird Shack, Ltd., has been following her passion for birds for nearly 45 years. Burman will share fascinating facts about the eight different owl species that call Illinois home, including their unique characteristics and behaviors.

As the founder of The Speakeasy, a speaker's bureau specializing in wildlife, conservation and environmental topics, Burman is well-known throughout the Chicagoland area for her engaging presentations to garden clubs, schools, nature centers, senior communities and more.

Registration is required, but open to all adults and seniors. We look forward to a captivating afternoon!

Meet November’s Artist of the Month

November 17, 2025 Library Programs, Uncategorized

AAPLD welcomes award-winning landscape photographer Cory Anne Cosman to the Art Wall at the Main Library. Cory's work captures the essence of nature. She loves traveling to National Parks, and her adventures have taken her to the Badlands of South Dakota, the Rocky Mountains, Moab, Utah, Bryce Canyon, Haleakala, Waimea Canyon, and Death Valley.

But much of her recent work focuses on the beauty of nature close to home. "I've spent much of my life exploring the beautiful properties of the McHenry County Conservation District, and the many parks across Illinois. This year, I'm excited to stay closer to home-- discovering new hidden gems throughout the Midwest to explore and share with my lens."

Her work has been exhibited at the Land Conservancy of McHenry County (2022 and 2023); the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake's Fourth Fridays Art Event (2024 and 2025), Woodstock Public Library Artist Showcase (2025), and Kishwaukee Brewing Co., Woodstock (2025). In 2022, she was the 3rd place winner of the Land Conservancy's Amateur Photography Contest, and in 2024, she received the People's Choice Award from the Fourth Fridays Art Event at the Dole Mansion.

Follow her on Instagram @ccphotos2024

Scrabble-mania Comes to AAPLD!

November 10, 2025 Library Programs

Know an awesome 8-letter word that contains the letters Q, Z and Y? You might have what it takes to be the Scrabble King or Queen of Algonquin!

Don't miss the fun Wednesday, November 19, when AAPLD hosts its first-ever Scrabble Tournament, from 6:30-8:-30 p.m. at the Main Library. Players will be randomly assigned to tables of 3 to 4 participants. For the first round, everyone plays a 45-minute game. The top four scorers will advance to the final round. The champion will receive a special custom-made medal, and a fun prize created in our Makerspace.

It's a sure to be a unquantized night of laughs, spelling and community. Register today!

AAPLD Hosts Terrifying Trio of Authors

October 20, 2025 Library Programs

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Kubica will be at Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College on Monday, October 27th at 7-8:00 p.m.

The author of nine suspense novels that have sold over five million copies worldwide, Mary's books have been selected as Amazon Best Books of the Month, LibraryReads, and adapted for film, including The Good Girl, for Netflix. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller,” (Kirkus Reviews) and “a writer of vice-like control,” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (Los Angeles Times). Her next novel, It's Not Her, will be published in early 2026.

Copies of her books will be available for purchase and signing at the event courtesy of Read Between the Lynes bookstore of Woodstock. For Adults 18 and over. Registration is required.

This event is sponsored by Algonquin Area Public Library, Cary Area Public Library, Crystal Lake Public Library, Harvard-Diggins Library, Huntley Area Public Library, Johnsburg Library, Marengo-Union Library, McHenry Public Library, Nippersink Public Library and Woodstock Public Library.

Chicago Haunts author, historian and parapsychologist Ursula Bielski comes to Eastgate on Wednesday, October 29 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. to discuss our local supernatural history, and her 30 years as a paranormal investigator.

The author of twelve popular and critically-acclaimed books on history and the supernatural, including the groundbreaking Chicago Haunts series, and Graveyards of Chicago, Ursula has been featured on numerous TV shows, including the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures. She also hosted The Hauntings of Chicago on WTTW. A lifelong Chicagoan, she and her husband operated the Chicago Hauntings Tours for two decades. She has taught college courses on folklore, history, and currently hosts The Ghostlorist podcast.

Abalabix Books of Crystal Lake will be on hand with copies of Ursula's books for purchase, that she can sign and personalize. This program is brought to you in partnership with the Cary, Crystal Lake and Huntley Area libraries.

Critically acclaimed novelist Daniel Kraus, author of Whalefall, and co-author of The Shape of Water, comes to the Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College on Thursday, November 6, 7:00-8:00 p.m. He will be interviewed by Chicago Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens, and will discuss his immersive new novel, Angel Down.

We will also host a book discussion of Angel Down on Thursday, October 30th at 7p.m. at Cary Ale House.

Private Cyril Bagger has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of the Great War through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity. But his survival instincts are put to the ultimate test when he and four other grunts are given a deadly venture into the perilous No Man’s Land to euthanize a wounded comrade.What they find amid the ruined battlefield, however, is not a man in need of mercy but a fallen angel, seemingly struck down by artillery fire. This celestial being may hold the key to ending the brutal conflict, but only if the soldiers can suppress their individual desires and work together.

Daniel collaborated with Guillermo del Toro on The Shape of Water, and Trollhunters, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. He has also worked with legendary filmmaker George A. Romero. Daniel's The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was named one of Entertainment Weekly‘s Top 10 Books of the Year.

Copies of his books will be available for purchase and signing at the event courtesy of Read Between the Lynes bookstore of Woodstock.

This event is part of the McHenry County Libraries - Let's All Read Together community reading program, sponsored by Algonquin Area Public Library, Cary Area Public Library, Crystal Lake Public Library, Harvard-Diggins Library, Huntley Area Public Library, Johnsburg Library, Marengo-Union Library, McHenry Public Library, Nippersink Public Library and Woodstock Public Library.

It’s Friday Night Out, at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake

October 13, 2025 Library Programs

Join us for a Friday night out on October 24, from 6:00- 9:00 pm, at the historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake! Enjoy an evening of local art, live music and community, all in a vibrant, creative setting.

Crystal Lake's popular 4th Fridays art event, now in it's fifth season, features three exhibits; photography, art, a featured solo artist, plus live music on two stages. Roving servers offer snacks on trays, drinks are available for purchase at cashless bars. It's a great way to connect with local art lovers, and artists, all while supporting our area's thriving arts community.

This event is for adults, 18 and over. Register, then pick up your tickets at the Adult Services desk at the Main Library. We've covered the cost of the tickets, but transportation is on your own. The Dole Mansion is located at 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Limited availability, and lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Adult Spelling Bee Comes to Scorched Earth Brewing

October 6, 2025 Library Programs

I Before E, except after C.

Q and U always stick together.

Every syllable must have a written vowel.

Who will be crowned the AAPLD Spelling Bee Champ?

Join us for a fun night of friendly competition at our Adult Pub Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 pm, at Scorched Earth Brewing, 203 Berg Street, Algonquin!

The contestants are set and ready to spell their way to victory, now we need you in the audience to cheer them on. Enjoy snacks, great company, and fun as you root for your favorites and see who will take home the title of AAPLD Spelling Bee Champion.

Beverages will be available for purchase. Registration is now open for audience members only. For adults, 21 and over.

Questions? Contact Kelly Kuningas at kelly.kuningas@aapld.org

We’ll see you there for a bee-utiful night of fun!

Join Us for Books, Brews & BBQ!

September 12, 2025 Library Programs

Love books, tasty BBQ and local craft brews? Join us for an afternoon of fall fun, at Books, Brews & BBQ, Saturday, Sept. 27, at Crystal Lake Brewing, 150 N. Main St. in Crystal Lake, from 12-4pm.

A new addition to Downtown Crystal Lake's popular Johnny Appleseed Festival, and sponsored by the Algonquin Area, Cary, Crystal Lake and Huntley libraries, the event welcomes 10 Chicago-area writers;

Mingle with the authors and learn about their latest releases. Crystal Lake's Abalabix Books will have books available for sale and signing, (pick up a book for yourself, and maybe an early holiday gift or two!) The Midwest Smoke BBQ food truck will be serving up brats, sandwiches and more. Crystal Lake Brewing will offer favorite brews and seasonal specialties on tap.

No registration is needed, drop by anytime between noon and 4. We'll see you there!

Meet This Month’s Featured Artist Robin Morgan

August 9, 2025 Artist of the Month, Library Programs

You could describe Robin Morgan's work as a breath of fresh air! As a "plein air" painter Robin's studio is the great outdoors. She paints exclusively outside, sometimes even in bad weather. Her work has taken her to remote areas, parks, and gardens in search of a scene that speaks to her. "I need to paint some thing or place that I feel connected to, or inspired by. I especially love color and texture, and work to communicate a sense of place, atmosphere and feeling," Robin said.

Enjoy her exhibit on the Art Wall through the month of August, as she brings the great outdoors inside AAPLD's Adult Services Department.

Your name: Robin Morgan

Your community: Evanston, IL

Your background as an artist: I've always been creative and prefer to spend my time making things. I hold a BA in Art History and have taken many painting workshops with some fabulous teachers, some well known, such as Michelle Dunaway, Georgia Mansur, and Clare Bowen. Others, like Jeff Krantz, are not so well known, but just as significant to my work. I also spend time studying artists who inspire me, such as Sargent, Durer, Dixon, Morisot, Rembrandt, Giorgione, Bosch, Sorolla, Monet, Richard Schmidt, Chris Green, the Luminists and the Hudson River School.

What inspires your work: Nature, wild spaces, and the feeling I get from being outside.

Your preferred medium: Currently, it's oil paint but I've also spent a lot of time working in black and white smithing, textile art, stained glass, and clay. I also draw, sketch and hand sew.

Your preferred subjects and why you're drawn to them: I am drawn to color, and textures of natural objects. I also do portrait work. Painting for me is demanding and one can never learn all there is needed to know to produce a work that communicates what one hopes to communicate. It is always the deep joy of being outside and the wonderful variety of natural things that inspires, excites and informs my work.

Is your work for sale, and how can someone contact you: Yes, and they can text me at 847-828-6312

Book Clubs For Every Book Lover!

July 26, 2025 Book Clubs, Library Programs

At AAPLD we try to offer something for everyone, and our book clubs are no exception! Whether your favorite genre is literary fiction, fantasy, romance, thrillers, horror, sci-fi, Young Adult, or even non-fiction, we've got a book club for you! In August, we're launching two new clubs: The Next Chapter, for readers 55 and over; and Friends of Fiction, which focuses on contemporary and historical fiction.

Like to read a bit of everything? No worries! Look for the club selections that sounds most interesting, and sign up.

We take care of ordering the books, just come to the Adult Services desk at the Main Library or Eastgate, and pick up a copy. Then, gather with other readers to share ideas and insights about what you've read. Because our most popular book clubs can fill quickly, it's important to register ahead of time, to make sure there's a seat waiting for you!

Meet This Month’s Featured Artist Drew Kristoff

July 15, 2025 Artist of the Month, Library Programs

Super Hero fans won't want to miss this month's exhibit on the AAPLD Art Wall. Local artist (and AAPLD staff member) Drew Kristoff's love for art and comics is on colorful display during the month of July. Learn a little more about Drew and his work.

Artist: Drew Kristoff
Background/Training: I've been drawing since grade school, and by the time I got to junior high, I started to get more serious. Like most artists, I copied other artist's work, which taught me about layout, perspective and shading. In high school, I spent a lot of time filling sketchbooks with original and inspired art. My high school art teachers encouraged me, and I started to explore new techniques. After high school, I attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where I studied fundamentals, figure drawing, illustration, advertising and even tried a semester of oil painting. I graduated with an Associates degree in Illustration/Graphic Design.
What inspires your work: I can get inspiration from almost anything, possibly something I see when walking or driving or from viewing other artist's works.
What is your favorite medium: My favorite medium is using colored pencils and then adding additional dimensions by adding pastels or watercolors to enhance the illustration.
How can someone contact you: I accept freelance work, please contact me by email at dkristoff@sbcglobal.net

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