Posted by eileen on August 30, 2010
Never seen some of the shows that won Primetime Emmys this year? WPL has a large collection of TV series on DVD. Stop by to take a look or put a hold on some of the Emmy winners listed below, right from our website! To place a hold online, you just need a WPL card number and PIN. Can’t find a DVD you think we should have? Contact the Reference Department at 630-868-7520 or email askref@wheatonlibrary.org.
Best Series, Drama – Mad Men
Best Series, Comedy and Best Supporting Actor, Comedy: Eric Stonestreet – Modern Family
Best Actor, Drama: Bryan Cranston and Best Supporting Actor, Drama: Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad
Best Actress, Drama: Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy: Jane Lynch - Glee
Outstanding Miniseries – The Pacific
Posted by eileen on August 18, 2010
The Friends of the Wheaton Public Library are now accepting donations of the following items for the annual book sale:
- Hardcover and paperback books
- DVDs
- VHS tapes
- CDs
- Cassettes
- LPs
- Framed and unframed art (will be sold at a later sale)
The library cannot accept donations of any magazines. The library cannot accept textbooks older than five years.
All donations should be in a box or bag (that can be left behind) and may be dropped off at the Checkout Desk on the first floor. If you have items to donate and are unable to bring them to the library, we may be able to schedule a pick up. Please call Carolyn at 630-868-7592 for information.
Looking to buy? Join us for the Book Sale, September 23-26. Book Sale Rules
Posted by eileen on August 6, 2010
Are you a high school student starting to think about college? Are you a parent looking to plan ahead for your child’s college education? WPL has some great FREE workshops coming up to help you out.
Monday, August 16 at 2pm
Accepted: Getting Into Your First Choice School presented by Kaplan
This seminar is designed to help you discover the ins and outs of college admissions. You will learn what admissions officers want to see in applicants and get tips for college success. Register online now.
Thursday, August 19 at 3pm
College Application Essay Workshop presented by Kaplan
This one-hour workshop is designed to show students and parents what college admissions officers want to see in an essay. The workshop will examine the types of topics students will encounter, cover the four steps to writing a winning essay, and critique a sample admissions essay. Register online now.
Tuesday, October 26 at 7pm
Start Early, Start Smart: College Major and Career Planning Seminar presented by Career Vision
For parents and their high school and college age students
Is it really possible that students can identify potential career directions and college majors while still in high school? You bet! Learn what you need to know before choosing a college and how identifying a college major and career direction can build a student’s motivation and confidence, but also reduce college expenses. Receive information and find resources to guide the student and take the stress out of making these important decisions. Each family/student will receive a complimentary copy of Career Vision’s award-winning parent guide, Getting Started: Talking with Your Child about Career Choices. Register online beginning September 24.
A great place to start when planning for college is on WPL’s College and Financial Aid page. Find links to government resources and review sites.
Posted by eileen on July 23, 2010
Before school starts again, take advantage of our Museum Adventure Pass program! This program is sponsored by Macy’s and allows free admission or discounts to 17 Chicago area attractions. Popular attractions include Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, Kohl Children’s Museum, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Morton Arboretum.
For more information stop by or call the Children’s Department at 630-868-7540.
See a full list of participating attractions
Read the Museum Adventure Pass Press Release
Posted by eileen on July 19, 2010
Join us on Tuesday night at 7pm for an evening with Jazz Spectrum, held on the library’s West Plaza. In the event of bad weather, the concert will be held inside the library. The library has some outdoor seating available, but feel free to bring your own chairs and blankets.
Jazz Spectrum is an energetic, jazz-influenced vocal quartet backed by four swinging musicians, playing updated versions of hits by the vocal groups of the ’40s and ’50s. Listen to lush ballads, Doo Wop, and lightning fast vocalese style lyrics.
Posted by eileen on July 13, 2010
Check out the magazines the library recently started carrying!
BBC Knowledge – Find in our catalog – Science, History, and Nature for the curious mind.
Best Friends – Find in our catalog – All the good news about animals, wildlife, and the earth.
Chicago Bride – Find in our catalog – Everything for the bride and your Chicago wedding.
Diabetes Forecast – Find in our catalog – The best information on diabetes research, treatment, and practical tips for day-to-day diabetes management.
Food Network Magazine – Find in our catalog – Your favorite chefs, plus hundreds of recipes!
National Affairs - Find in our catalog – Thoughtful, provocative, an well-crafted neoconservative analyses of important issues.
Z Magazine – Find in our catalog – Independent monthly magazine dedicated to resisting injustice, defending against repression, and creating liberty.
Updated 8/5/10
Posted by eileen on July 8, 2010
Money is tight for a lot of people right now and a lot of families are probably skipping their summer vacations this year. Keep in mind, you don’t have to fly somewhere to have fun! There are many attractions within driving distance. Maybe plan a day trip or an overnight in Illinois or in a neighboring state. Check out Illinois Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from allgetaways.com to get the ideas flowing.
Springfield, IL – less than four hours from Wheaton
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln’s Tomb, IL State Capitol
Galena, IL – less than three hours from Wheaton
Apple Canyon Lake, Ulysses S. Grant’s Home, Downtown Shopping (just window shopping is fun too!)
Lake Geneva, WI – less than two hours from Wheaton
Outdoor activities and boat tours, Events
Don’t forget to check out the library’s Travel site for more great links or stop by the library and check out travel books in the 917s on the 2nd floor.
Posted by eileen on July 1, 2010
WPL offers a variety of free introductory computer classes each month. Looking for jobs that require a basic understanding of Microsoft Office? Let us help you! Sign up for a free class today! In July the classes are held in the evenings. To register, go to our online Event Calendar or call the Checkout Desk at 630-868-7505.
Note: All WPL classes are taught using Microsoft Office 2007.
Internet Searching and Introduction to Online Databases
Do you have problems finding what you’re looking for on the Internet? Do you always get millions of results on Google and Yahoo!? In this class, learn about making your searches more specific, to get more relevant results, as well as searching some of the library’s subscription databases to find pertinent information.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic computer skills, especially using a keyboard and mouse, and experience using Internet Explorer are required.
Microsoft Word I
Microsoft Word is not just for writing reports anymore! Learn how to cut, copy, paste, format a Word document, and much much more! This class is perfect for those who are new to word processing. It is also recommended for those who are interested in learning the new layout of the 2007 version.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic keyboarding skills are required.
Microsoft Word II
Turn a boring letter into a work of art! Learn to add pictures, WordArt, columns, and even create your own bullet points. This class is recommended for those who would like to have more than a basic understanding of Microsoft Word. It is also helpful to those who are interested in learning the new features of the 2007 version.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Basic word processing skills, such as highlighting, and an understanding of the concepts taught in Word I are required.
Mail Merge
We are surrounded by the products of mail merges every day without even realizing it! Almost every mass mailing is created by a mail merge. However, it can also be used on a less massive scale. Learn to turn a list of names and addresses into a sheet of mailing labels, thank you letters, and many other things! This class is great for those who want to learn this time-saving skill, as well as those who would like a review.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing, basic keyboarding skills and experience using Microsoft Word are required. Knowledge of Microsoft Excel is helpful.
Microsoft Excel
Don’t waste time figuring out things by hand! Learn the basics of this incredibly versatile spreadsheet program, such as entering data into cells, formatting, and creating charts. We will also cover basic functions (like finding the sum of a column of numbers) and sorting (like putting a list in alphabetical order).
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic keyboarding skills are required.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Need to create a wedding or family slide show? A speech or presentation for school or church? PowerPoint can help and we can help you learn PowerPoint! Learn how to use different slide layouts, transitions, animations, links, and photos in this amazing program.
Meets in the Computer Classroom, 2nd Floor.
Typing and basic keyboarding skills are required.
Posted by eileen on June 30, 2010
A generous donation from the Wheaton Garden Club allowed us to purchase the beautiful plants and flowers you see in front of the library. They also bring us the lovely floral arrangements you see on the Checkout Desk. See more photos of the planters on our Flickr page!
Posted by eileen on June 21, 2010
Adults: Bank on your library! is the theme of this year’s Adult Summer Reading Program which begins June 1. It only seems appropriate that during these rough economic times we focus on how much value you receive from your investment in the library. Plus, you get a chance to win prizes! Adults may sign-up for the program and pick up their “book registers” at the Information Desk starting June 1. Each book you read gives you a chance at the weekly prize drawings. This year, two names are drawn each week, so there are even more chances to win.
Read five books to qualify for the second place drawing, a $50 Borders gift card. Reading nine books qualifies you for the grand prize drawing, a $100 Borders gift card. Fill out a form telling us why you value the library and you are entered into a special drawing for a $50 gift certificate to use at stores and restaurants in downtown Wheaton. The program runs through August 14. For more information, please call the Reference Department at 630-868-7520.
Teens: I’d Rather be Reading… is this summer’s theme. The Young Adult Summer Reading program is available to anyone in grades 6 through 12. To participate, register either on a library computer or online from home at the library’s website beginning June 1. Keep track of every hour spent reading by recording it online as well. There are weekly prize drawings for participants. In addition, reading incentives are provided for every participant who completes 20, 40, and 60 hours of reading!
If you have read 20 hours by the end of the program, you qualify for the 3rd Prize drawing, a $30 gift card to Amazon.com. Reading 40 hours qualifies you for the 2nd Prize drawing, a $50 gift card for Yorktown Mall. Read 60 hours to qualify for the Grand Prize drawing, a $100 gift card to Yorktown Mall! Contact the Reference Department at 630-868-7520 with questions.
