Events for the whole family — including books groups, movie showings, history presentations, Earth Day events and author visits, are being held at libraries across Lake County.
Grayslake Area Public Library
100 Library Lane
(847) 223-5313; http://www.grayslake.info
Book group: Discuss “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith at 7 p.m. April 16. Registration requested.
Movie: “After the Thin Man” will be shown and discussed at 6:30 p.m. April 17. Refreshments provided. Registration requested.
Volunteers: The library is in need of a few volunteers to help with crafts, programs and keeping rooms and books tidy during the summer. There is also an opportunity for kids who want to share their love of reading to buddy-up with younger children and read stories out loud with them. Both Helping Hands and Book Buddies are open to kids who have completed fifth through eighth grade and hold a Grayslake Library card. Registration forms will be available until openings are filled. Space is limited.
Warren-Newport Public Library
224 North O’Plaine Road, Gurnee
(847) 244-5150; http://www.wnpl.info
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Discussion group: A group meets monthly to discuss a compelling foreign policy topic in an informal, non-partisan format facilitated by university professor Gary Midkiff. This month’s topic: Sectarianism in the Middle East at 9:30 a.m. April 15. Participants must register and pick up a briefing book to read in advance of the meeting.
Movie: “This Is Where I Leave You,” rated R, at 6 p.m. April 16. Registration required.
Craft swap: Bring craft supplies you no longer need or want and swap them for what you want from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 18. Items like buttons, corks, crayons, fabric, yarn, ribbon, felt, paper scraps, greeting cards, beads and sewing notions are all welcome. Items may be dropped off from 1 to 6 p.m. April 17 or on the day of the event.
Vernon Area Public Library
300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire
(224) 543-1485; calendar.vapld.info
Montgomery Bus Boycott: Historian Barry Bardford shares how the Montgomery Bus Boycott demonstrated that nonviolent mass protests could successfully challenge racial segregation at 12:30 p.m. April 16. Bring your lunch starting at noon, coffee and dessert provided. Registration required.
Gardens galore: Get ready for the gardening season with a host of helpful and fun activities, including gardening tips from master gardeners, healthy snacks from Fresh Market, a recyclable craft from the Chicago Botanic Garden, plus a seed exchange and a garden magazine/book exchange from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 18. Bring your leftover seeds from last summer and gently used garden books to exchange with other attendees.
Author visit: WGN radio host and Chicagoland Gardening Magazine contributor Mike Nowak shares lessons about environmental responsibility, meditations on life, and some gardening tips at 11 a.m. April 18. Copies of his book, “Attack of the Killer Asparagus and Other Lessons Not Learned in the Garden,” are available for purchase and signing at the event. Registration required.
Movie: “When the Game Stands Tall,” rated PG, will be shown at 2 p.m. April 18. Registration recommended.
North Chicago Public Library
2100 Argonne Drive
(847) 689-0125; http://www.ncplibrary.org
Games and crafts: Craft club meets at 3 p.m. and the game club meets 3:30 p.m. April 15.
Puppets and craft: Kids can enjoy puppet play and make a Spring craft at 1 p.m. April 18.
Waukegan Public Library
128 N. County St.
(847) 623-2041
Recycling: The Library’s Off The Grid team will host its second free recycle event for paper and electronic waste from 1 to 3 p.m April 18 in the rear lot behind the library at Clayton Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Paper with staples, paper clips and rubber bands will be accepted but no large metal, plastic attachments, or x-rays. Items accepted for electronic recycling include wires, cables, circuit boards, computers, modems, monitors, telephones, cameras, gaming consoles, DVD’s VCR’s and small TV’s. Electronics that can be carried easily by one person will be allowed. No batteries accepted.
Zion-Benton Public Library
2400 Gabriel Ave.
(847) 872-4680; zblibrary.info
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Geocaching: Teens, in grades 5-12, can celebrate Earth Day by participating in a fun, high-tech outdoor scavenger hunt from 1 to 4 p.m. April 18.. Come prepared to explore the outdoors, boots are recommended. Registration required.
Rogue gallery: Take an in-depth look at Illinois’ infamous politicians, like former governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich, and explore if Chicago and Illinois can ever be “ready for reform” at 1 p.m. April 18. Sponsored by the Zion Genealogical Society. Registration required.
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