Month: October 2020

It’s the most frightening time of the year! Halloween is almost here and it’s the perfect time to load up on scary movies and books.

AAPLD’s collection includes horror classics and soon-to-be classics. Our horror films are tagged with a special sticker and located on a special seasonal display for easy access.

Whatever you’re in the mood for…terrifying tales of ghosts and ghouls, or campy classics about ravenous blobs of alien goo, you’ll find it at the library! Here’s just a sample of the scary stuff you’ll find on our shelves. Click on the links to place a hold.

The Blob – Beware of the Blob! With a cheesy theme song, surprisingly sophisticated special effects, and a cast led by a young Steve McQueen, this low-budget 1958 drive-in movie classic offers plenty of scary fun.

Carrie- Based on Stephen King’s best-selling debut novel, this story of a misfit teen with telekinetic powers has been made into a film twice. The original 1976 version stars Sissy Spacek and John Travolta, the 2013 remake features Chloe Grace Moretz in the title role. Prefer to read the book? We have it too!

Dracula- It wouldn’t be Halloween without an appearance by everyone’s favorite Transylvanian count. Our collection of vampire films includes the 1931 version of Dracula, Dracula 2000 and Let Me In.  Our literary vampires include Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula, Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian, Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, and series by Anne Rice, J.R. Ward, Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton and many more.

The Exorcist- Whether you prefer the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, or the 1973 film starring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair, the story of a little girl possessed by the devil is a must for horror fans. Want more demonic kids? Check out Rosemary’s Baby. For an exorcism tale with a totally ’80s vibe, try My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix.

Slender Man– In this 2018 film, a group of small town teens attempt to summon an urban legend creature, The Slender Man. When one teen goes missing, her friends must band together to save themselves from a similar fate.

Us – Director Jordan Peele’s 2019 film tells the story of the Wilson family, whose beach vacation goes horribly wrong when uninvited guests arrive at the family’s vacation home— evil dopplegangers of the four Wilsons.

What more scary suggestions? Ask an Adult Services staff member!

Always dreamed of writing a book, but never found the time? This November could be your opportunity, and AAPLD is ready to help!

November is National Novel Writing Month, an annual event that challenges writers of all experience levels, ages and genres to craft a 50,000 word novel or non-fiction work in 30 days.

Since NaNoWriMo’s beginning in 1999, hundreds of thousands of writers have participated. Many books that began as NaNoWriMo projects have become best-sellers, including Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and WOOL by Hugh Howey. There’s no cost to enter, and signing up is easy. Just go to nanowrimo.org

The challenge officially begins at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 1 and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. Participants are urged to keep a regular writing schedule, adding about 1,660 words to their project each day, and tracking their progress on the National Novel Writing Month website.

To help keep local writers motivated, AAPLD is holding virtual write-ins each Tuesday night in November, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The write-ins will be hosted by Adult Services Library Associate Elizabeth Harmon, a NaNoWriMo veteran who has published several novels—including two that were NaNoWriMo projects. Registration is required so that we can email a link to the event, but you don’t have to be an AAPLD cardholder to join.

Click below to register:

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Write-in, Nov. 24, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

NaNoWriMo advocates a “no plot, no problem” approach to writing, but many authors like to plan their projects ahead of time. AAPLD’s collection of writing books includes how-tos related to popular genres, and books that help you tap into your creativity and get into the writing mindset. You’ll find them in the non-fiction section, starting in the 800s. We offer a few examples below. Click on the title to learn more about the book and place a hold, or call the library for more suggestions.

Writing Down The Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

You’ve Got A Book In You: A Stress-free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams by Elizabeth Sims

Write. 10 Days to Overcome Writer’s Block. Period by Karen E. Peterson, Ph.D

You Don’t Have To Be Famous: How To Write Your Life Story by Steve Zousmer

Creative Writing Demystified by Sheila Bender

Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies by Leslie Wainger

Writing Children’s Books for Dummies by Lisa Rojany-Buccieri

 

We’re making some changes to the Adult Services DVD Collection to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. If you enjoy documentaries, be sure to browse our new Documentary section, located between feature films and our TV series sections.

The collection includes films by top documentary filmmakers including Ken Burns, Michael Moore; programs from the History Channel, PBS and more. There are fascinating glimpses into the lives of historical figures, films that take you behind the scenes of pivotal moments such as the Apollo 11 moon landing and the death of Princess Diana.

Here’s a small sample of what’s on the Documentary shelf, and be sure to check out the special documentary display, located on the octagon table at the entrance to the Adult Services area:

Unforgettable people…

 John Lewis: Good Trouble– In 1957 Troy, Alabama teenager John Lewis wrote to Dr. Martin Luther King asking his help to integrate a segregated school in Lewis’ hometown. King responded with a bus ticket, and an invitation to meet. Lewis’ lifetime of making “good trouble” took him from front line protests to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for 33 years. A compelling tribute to the late Civil Rights legend.

 

Diana, 7 Days – This BBC documentary looks at the week following Princess Diana’s death in a car crash, and includes interviews with Prince William and Prince Harry, recalling their legendary mother’s impact on the world, and on their family.

Gotta be rock and roll music…

When You’re Strange – The Doors rose out of LA’s vibrant mid-1960s rock scene to captivate the world with their hypnotic sound, poetic lyrics and charismatic frontman, Jim Morrison. Johnny Depp narrates this fascinating account of the band’s history.

In the mood for something spooky?

Witches, Ghosts & Monsters – Chilling tales of creatures of the night have captivated us for centuries, but is there any truth to the stories? National Geographic explores the strange origins of zombies, vampires, witches, demons and Bigfoot.

 

Did you know that AAPLD’s Main Library on Harnish Drive is a McHenry County early voting site?

Beginning Oct. 19, our downstairs program room will be an early voting polling place for voters registered in McHenry County, regardless of their home precinct. Early voting polling place hours are:

• Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23: 8:30 am – 5 pm
• Saturday, October 24: 9 am – 2 pm
• Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30: 8:30 am – 5 pm
• Saturday, October 31: 9 am – 2 pm

Poll workers will follow Covid-19 safety precautions, including wearing masks and/or plastic face shields while they are on duty. Other available safety measures include:

• Hand Sanitizer
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Alcohol Prep Pads
• Disposable Garbage Cans and Bags
• Gloves
• Disposable Privacy Shields
• Disposable ExpressVote “styluses”

Voters are also welcome to bring their own pen to sign in, and are asked to wear a mask at all times, including while they are waiting in line to vote. Voters will not be screened for COVID-19.

If you are voting with a mail-in ballot, please note that we are NOT a ballot drop-off location! The closest McHenry County mail-in ballot drop box is inside the Lake In the Hills Village Hall, which is also open for early voting. The ballot drop box is available between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday- Friday, beginning October 19, and running through Monday, Nov. 2. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 31. Sunday hours will be offered Nov. 1 only, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kane County residents can find a complete list of early voting locations and hours here. Nearby Kane County early voting sites include Del Webb Sun City in Huntley, the West Dundee Village Hall, and at Kane County’s Vote Mobile, which will visit Jewel-Osco locations in Huntley (Oct. 22) and West Dundee (Oct. 27-28). Vote Mobile hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Visit the Kane County Clerk’s website for Mail-in Ballot drop box locations and other information.

Online Voter Information

Not sure if you’re registered to vote, or your polling place location? Use Illinois’ online voter information site to find out. If you’re not registered, you can do so online, through October 18, or register in person at your polling place on Election Day. Be sure to bring the documents you’ll need to register. Learn more here.

Tuesday November 3 is Election Day. The library functions as a polling location for Algonquin Precincts 63 and 68 only, and will be taking voters from 7 am – 7 pm.

Not sure where your polling place is? Click here.

Be prepared to stand in during early voting and on Election Day, and please follow all Covid-19 safety precautions.

Make your voice heard and VOTE!