Creative Programs / Fall 2022

SEPTEMBER

English Together (ESL)
Sept. 15-Dec. 15 / Thursdays from 9:30-11 a.m.
Let’s learn English together! Join librarian and teacher Kate for a weekly English language class (ESL) for high beginners through intermediate learners. We will focus on interesting topics to learn how to increase your vocabulary and communicate confidently.

App Beginner Workshops: eBooks, eAudiobooks & more!
Sept. 19-Nov. 30 / Mondays at 7 p.m. / Tuesdays at 3 p.m. / Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Are you new to OLPL’s free apps? Libby, Kanopy and Hoopla give patrons free access to stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, TV shoes, music and comics. Bring your smart device to these half-hour workshop sessions and a librarian will walk you through all the steps to master each app. Each workshop will focus on one app of your choice. You will need an email address and an OLPL library card to set up your free library apps.

Irish Genealogy Club
Tuesday, Sept. 27 / Tuesday, Oct. 25 / Tuesday, Nov. 29 / 1:30-3 p.m.
Led by Reference and Genealogy Librarian Kathy O’Leary, this group meets once a month to discuss their Irish genealogy—join us!

Genealogy Club
Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Marian Wood will teach us the PASS process for organizing, storing and curating your family history materials.

Genealogy Club
Thursday, Oct. 27 from 1:30-3 p.m.
Genealogy Librarian Kathy O’Leary will provide tips on using Google for genealogy research.

Virtual Chair Yoga and Meditation
Wednesdays, Sept. 7 & 21, Oct. 5 & 19, Nov. 2 & 16 / 6 p.m.
Join instructor Isabel Raci, C-IAYT, online for a gentle session of guided meditation and chair yoga. Have a sturdy, armless chair ready and wear comfortable clothes with no socks. Because this is a quiet, reflective class, we ask that you join by 6:05 p.m. to be admitted. Registration required. Program link will be emailed to registrants.

September Creativebug Craft
Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
Make a braided cotton belt perfect for early fall fashions. Register online.

Local Author Book Talk and Signing: Jim Nowoc
Wednesday, Sept 14 at 6:30 p.m.
In “No Strings Attached: My Life Growing Up with the Birth of Rock N Roll,” local author Jim Nowoc describes his relationship with music from when he was a 14-year-old kid in Oak Lawn listening to the greats like Little Richard and Fats Domino, to serving in the Vietnam war. Jim will share stories, answer questions, and sign purchased books. A portion of the proceeds benefitting the Fisher House, a supportive organization for veterans receiving medical care and their families.

Planning a Future for Your Family’s Past
Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Ancestors’ photos, stories, documents and heirlooms are part of your family’s past, and they deserve to be protected for future generations and researchers. Marian Wood will teach us the PASS process for organizing and storing family history materials, sorting and curating your collection, and writing a “genealogical will” to keep items safe. Even if you have no obvious heirs for your genealogy, you’ll get fresh ideas for steps to take before you join your ancestors.

Birth and Beyond: A Doula Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m.
Join doula and author Shavon McDaniel for a discussion about the childbirth experience. Shavon will tell us about warning signs of post-partum depression and heart disease and how doula care can support labor and new parents. We’ll learn about Shavon’s book, share our stories of the miracle of birth, and have time to ask any lingering questions.

VIRTUAL Job Prep Week
Monday, Sept. 19-Friday, Sept. 23
Get your resume in shape, polish your cover letter, interview like a pro, and land that job! Update your job skills with advice from librarian Jez Layman. Register and you will receive a link to Jez’s website with four talks that will be available throughout the week, including Resume Workshop, Cover Letters Made Simple, No Stress Phone & Video Interviews and Ace Your In-Person Interview.

Craft Buzz! Online Craft Resources Workshop
Monday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m., or Monday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Bring your knitting, drawing, kitbashing—whatever you’re working on—and we’ll share online spaces for crafters. Are you using Ravelry, YouTube or TikTok? How about the amazing library resource, Creativebug? We’ll meet in the tech center to get nerdy about online crafting resources. Space is limited; register online.

Happiness with Humana – A Series of Three Talks
Join Gricelda “Gigi” Ruffin from Humana for three quick talks about staying happy, connected and healthy. There will be plenty of time for questions after each presentation. Gigi is also happy to answer questions about Humana health insurance.

• Staying Social: How to Do it Right
  Thursday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m.
• Habits of Happy People
  Thursday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
• Cooking for One
  Thursday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.

The First Annual Oak Lawn Public Library Adult Spelling Bee
Friday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.
C-O-N-T-E-S-T-A-N-T-S, join us for a fun afternoon of rivalry for the Oak Lawn Spelling Crown. We will have three rounds of a single-elimination competition. Come to spell or just watch and cheer on your friends! In-person contestant registration will begin at 1:45 p.m.

Estate Planning and Probate
Monday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m.
Join attorney Caroline Smith from the Robbins DiMonte firm for an estate planning workshop. Caroline will explain how a little planning and good legal advice ensures that your wishes are fulfilled, prevents family disagreements, and avoids court delays at a difficult time.

Movie Screening: “Respect” (2021)
Friday, Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m.
PG-13. 145 minutes. The remarkable true story of Aretha Franklin’s journey to find her voice and become the Queen of Soul.

OCTOBER

Resume Facelift
Monday, Oct. 3 and Monday, Oct. 10 / 2-3:30 p.m.
The job market is sizzling—get yourself out there! In this two-part workshop, we will cover new writing and formatting techniques that will make your resume stand out from the crowd. All participants will receive personal feedback on their resumes. Register online.

Medicare 101
Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Medicare specialist Marguerite McEnery will teach us the tricks to getting the most out of Medicare. Discover the new benefits in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement, the best prescription plans and the laws that protect us.

Creativebug Take & Make
Friday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m.
Make a macramé key chain following along at home with an online lesson from Creativebug. We’ll supply the materials! Pick up your packet of materials at the Library from Friday, Oct. 7 through Friday, Oct. 14.

Paranormal Investigations for Beginners
Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Paranormal investigations aren’t like what you see on TV. Join Carl Crooks from Quantum Paranormal Investigators for the real deal on how to get started with your own investigations. He’ll show us some intriguing evidence from Illinois homes and answer your questions.

The Yarnery Club
Tuesdays, Oct. 11 & 25, Nov. 8 & 12
Bring your handicraft projects—crochet, knitting or sewing—and spend an hour enjoying conversation while your needles do the work.

Travel the World Online through Food
Thursday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m.
Are you a foodie or just interested in great recipes? Join librarians Alvin and Kate for a fun trip through the culinary world using our A-Z World Food and A-Z Food America databases. We’ll share a potluck of virtual recipes together and taste some global snacks. Space is limited; register online.

Creativebug Crafternoon
Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.
Try out gorgeous mixed media watercolor effects by making personalized DIY bookmarks. Register online.

Accent on Confidence
Mondays, Oct. 17 and 24 / 2-3:30 p.m
American English pronunciation can be difficult, and even very fluent speakers can feel embarrassed or shy because of their accents. In this two-part workshop for multilingual speakers, we’ll cover simple tips that increase clarity, confidence and flexibility. This will be a supportive group—plan to laugh and have fun! Register online.

Two-Part Halloween Series: “Candyman” (1992)
Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
“Candyman, Candyman, Candyman…” Stop! Don’t say it again! In this cult classic from 1992, a grad student encounters a hook-handed urban legend in Chicago’s Cabrini Green housing projects. A brief discussion will follow the movie. Rated R, 101 minutes. Join us the following Wednesday for the 2021 version!

Eliminate the Fear of Leaving Your Comfort Zone Post Pandemic
Friday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
Trying to get back to a normal life after two years of isolation is difficult. Fear of leaving your comfort zone stops you from doing what you love. Motivational speaker Dr. Susan Neustrom will unravel the mystery of the comfort zone and provide simple strategies to help you get back to the life you enjoy.

Two-Part Halloween Series: “Candyman” (2021)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Acclaimed master of horror Jordan Peel brings us a Candyman for today set in the now-gentrified housing projects of Cabrini Green. You don’t need to see the first movie to enjoy the second. A brief discussion will follow the movie. Rated R, 91 minutes.

Movie showing: “Dog” (2022)
Friday, Oct. 28 at 1:30 p.m.
In this road-trip comedy, two hard-charging former Army Rangers paired against their will— Briggs (Channing Tatum) and a Belgian Malinois named Lulu—race down the Pacific Coast in hopes of making it to a fellow soldier’s funeral on time. PG-13, 101 minutes.

NOVEMBER

Blending Essential Oils for Your Health: A Make & Take Class
Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Brittany Hogan will demonstrate how to create essential oil blends that assist your body’s natural well-being. Choose from a variety of time-honored recipes or make your own based on the benefits of each oil you will learn about in class. Walk away with a free custom oil blend you’ve created. Space is limited; register online.

Creativebug Craft
Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
Draw and paint a mixed media silhouette from a photo of a loved one (even a favorite pet!) and take it home, ready to frame. Bring a printed photo sized up to 8.5 x 11 inches that shows your loved one’s profile. Register online.

Tabletop Game Crafters: Design, Make and Play Your Own Games
Mondays, Nov. 14. and 21 / 6:30 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to make your own game? This two-session workshop will cover the basic features of tabletop games. We’ll brainstorm concepts and then set you loose with our amazing craft supplies! Get your game underway on the first night, then join us a week later for a fun night of playtesting. Space is limited; register online.

VIRTUAL Brunch with Violeta – Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m.
In this virtual cook-along program, learn how to bake pumpkin spice muffins from your own kitchen with culinary arts instructor Violeta Trujeque. We’ll send you a list of ingredients so you can prepare the recipe at home as you follow along with Violeta. This lovely brunch will get you in the right mood for Thanksgiving! Register online.

Black Hawk’s View of Illinois History
Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
Drawing from Black Hawk’s Autobiography, Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays the reporter who transcribed and published Black Hawk’s life story. Fox weaves history with folklore, drawing the audience into the worldview of this respected leader. There are traditional chants and drumming songs, including a chance for the audience to participate in a few social dances celebrating the First Nations of Illinois.