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Chicago Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan library launches summer program; ‘A celebration of reading of all genres'
Now that the local school year has drawn to a close, the Waukegan Public Library moves into high gear with its summer reading program and a panoply of other events over the next three months, with many geared toward youths. Though the reading program is designed for all ages, library executive director Tiffany Verzani said that for young people it helps the youngsters keep their reading skills sharp while they are out of class during the summer months. 'It's important for kids and teens to keep reading poetry, graphic novels and the things they like over the summer after the school year,' Verzani said. 'Our summer reading program is a celebration of reading of all genres.' The library's summer reading program starts this week, giving people of all ages an opportunity to read library books or volumes from elsewhere, thus qualifying for raffle tickets and a prize. Continuing through Aug. 10, the reading program is one of several at the library this summer. Weekday free lunches start this week for those under 18 and run through Aug. 8, concerts begin on the first Friday in June and the annual used book sale takes place May 31 and June 1. Labeled 'Color Our World,' Claire Quin, the library's youth and teen services manager, said the reading program has three divisions. One is for all youngsters under 14, another for teens between 14 and 18 and the third for adults. The requirements are the same. Rubi Arreola, a youth services assistant, said each participant keeps a log to show what they are reading. Reading five books qualifies for a raffle ticket, where one person will get a $50 gift card. If they read a sixth, they get a second raffle ticket. 'They have to read or listen to five books,' Arreola said. 'Kids who complete the program get a box of crayons, teens get colored pencils and adults receive a colorful poster. They can read what they like, or we can help them find something.' Quin said there will be a kickoff party sponsored by the Friends of the Waukegan Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 1. Participants will be able to engage in a community art project, take pictures in a selfie booth and more. Quin said the program grows each year. Last year, more than 300 participated. During the school year, students in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 receive free breakfast and lunch. In the summer, the library offers supplements to the school lunch program with meals, plus an activity. On Fridays, lunch moves outside with a picnic at the concert. 'We want to make sure the children have food security during the summer,' Verzani said. While the children are getting a free lunch at the concerts, Verzani said the Friends of the Library, who organize and fund the events, sell cookies and drinks. The music includes a wide variety of genres. Mary Rose Strubbe, a member of the Friends of the Library who organizes the annual book sale, said it takes place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 31, and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on June 1. The first three hours on May 31 are reserved for members of the organization. 'It's not a problem,' Strubbe said. 'You can join for $10. There are thousands of books, mostly gently used.' For those who want a bargain, Strubbe said people can fill a bag with books for $5. Bags will be available, but she urges people to bring their own reusable shopping bags.
Chicago Tribune
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Waukegan library opening ‘makers space' for craft projects; ‘We identified this as a need'
People wishing to put their own design on a T-Shirt, sew a quilt, personalize a coffee cup, design a meaningful key chain or craft a plastic figurine on a 3D printer will be able to do it by this summer at the Waukegan Public Library's new 'maker space.' Though library Executive Director Tiffany Verzani said the new maker space will not have open hours staffed by library personnel until summer, there will be programs for the public — designed separately for children, teens and adults — starting in early March. 'People should look at our calendar and see what programs we are doing,' Verzani said. 'You can make toys, a vase, art, dice or a hinge for a cabinet on the 3D printer. You can find the (computer) program and our staff will make it for you.' Participants will be able to make their personalized tortilla holder at the initial maker space lab at 6 p.m. on March 5 on the library's lower level giving the public its first opportunity to try the new equipment. Along with the 3D printer, the maker space is equipped with a laser cutter to engrave acrylic, wood and glass, sublimation machines for putting designs on paper, canvas and other materials personalizing a drinking cup. A creative arts studio enables people to edit their photography, video and sound designs. There is a sewing machine and an embroidery machine, as well as a Cricut machine to craft silhouettes on vinyl, fabric or paper. 'It's used by card makers (and) scrapbook makers for embossing or stencils,' Verzani said. 'It's good for calligraphy.' Jennyfer Cordova, the library's communications and community engagement manager, said middle and high school students will have the opportunity to make a K-pop fun bag to carry memorabilia at 4:30 p.m. on March 10. Younger children from kindergarten through fifth grade will have their initial program at 5 p.m. on April 9. Rosario Colin, a youth services associate, said the youngsters will be doing Minecraft making ahead of an upcoming move. Registration is required for all maker space programs. 'They can make their own swag,' Colin said. Taxpayer money was not used to acquire the maker space equipment. Loretta Pable, the president of the Waukegan Public Library Foundation, said the needed $22,000 was raised at the library's 125th anniversary celebration last spring. Pable said libraries originally started because books were expensive and they gave people the opportunity to borrow, read and return them. As technology changed, libraries began lending movies and even computers. 'Books were the original technology,' Pable said. 'The maker space (equipment) is the newest technology. Other area libraries have maker spaces. We identified this as a need and decided to raise the money.' When scheduled hours start this summer, Verzani said people can design their project either using the laptop computers adjacent to the equipment or at home. Other than the sewing and embroidery machines, the execution of the project will be done by library staff. As library personnel were familiarizing themselves with the equipment Tuesday, Cordova was stitching a quilt together on the sewing machine, and Colin was embroidering a design. Colin said the machine prompts the user toward the completion of the design. 'It tells you what color thread to use, and how long it will take,' Colin said. 'It troubleshoots when something goes wrong. It comes with hundreds of images you can do. You can also design your own.' Those using the sewing machine need not worry about programming it. Cordova said people use it at their own skill level, or take the opportunity to learn how to do more sophisticated work. People from the library will be present at all times the maker space has open hours. 'You can make a quilt or clothing,' Cordova said. 'You can do garment repair, or even make your own clothes. You can make a baby blanket as a gift, sew a button or a ripped garment. A lot of people in the community do not have a sewing machine. They can learn to use this one.' Members of the public can create their own designs for a mug or T-shirt. With the machine warming to 400 degrees or the 3D printer hot enough to melt plastic, Verzani said trained personnel must operate the equipment. There are thousands of designs available online.
