Spotlight
If you didn’t grow up with computers, you may resent having to learn how to operate one. How about giving it another chance? You might be pleasantly surprised at what you learn.
Spotlight
This summer we went to Massachusetts for a week including a few days on Cape Cod and a few days in and around Boston.
Johnny Tremain is a youth novel about a young man living in Boston before and during the Revolutionary War. He was an apprentice silversmith, had dealings with Paul Revere, and took part in many events that birthed our nation.
Staff Picks
As a young child I remember when the first Jurassic Park movie came out, and how I was wowed by its fantastic visual effects.
As time went on, I learned to appreciate some of these movies for what they were. My hope is the new Netflix version of Death Note will be no exception.
Staff Picks
Forget New Years resolutions. My true "new" year starts in September. (Or I guess August. Because these days school starts in the MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER! But I digress.)
Get back on track!
Quit being such a slacker!
Tackle all those challenges looming out there in the not so far off future.
Good thing the library offers everything I need to succeed.
Some of these books are brand new and still on order. Place a hold so you can get it as soon as it arrives on the DPPL shelves. Learn how to place a hold here.
Online video training tutorials on the most popular software and devices, including Microsoft Office, Google Docs, iPad and more. First time users of Recorded Books databases will need to create an account with a Des Plaines library card. Begin Atomic Training.
Thousands of online video tutorials that can help you learn software, technology, creative and business skills to achieve personal and professional goals. You will be asked to Create a Profile using your Des Plaines library card. Use in Firefox or Chrome.
TechBoomers.com is a free educational website that teaches older adults and others with basic computer skills how to use popular websites and apps.
It tries hard to capture the magic of the original animated film, and is remarkably well done for what it tries to be, so I'd definitely recommend giving it a watch if you haven't already.
A really solid adaptation of the original animated film, I really enjoyed watching this one and can't recommend it enough.
A solid animated series about a mysterious book called a Death Note that can kill anyone who's name is written in it, and the teenager who comes to possess it. In ways, it's almost like a reverse mystery in a similar vein as Columbo, in that you know the main character is the killer. But you get to watch both how he covers his tracks, as well as how L and other police and detectives attempt to to uncover his identity. Overall it's a remarkable story, and one of my favorite series'. A word of caution: this one is intended for slightly more mature audiences.
A Japanese live action adaptation of the series, this one mostly follows an abbreviated version of the original story, but improves upon it in a few ways that make the story flow a bit better in places, as well as changing and fixing the ending, which some (including myself) considered to be the biggest weak point of the original story. It's in Japanese, but it does have English subtitles. There are additional movies that were made after this one as well so if you enjoy this one, be sure to ask the Readers Services folks for help finding the other movies. As with its anime counterpart, this is also intended for more mature audiences.
A little more action-focused than its '80s predecessor, the story falls a little short in some places. As far as the story and plot goes there's a few plot holes big enough to ride an elephant through, and a lot of convenient coincidences. Otherwise, it's not too terrible. Overall the action scenes are choreographed well enough to make it an allright action movie if nothing else. My only real complaint is the way the movie ends felt a little abrupt, especially compared to its '80s counterpart. It sort of just ends, without any real lead up to the actual ending, where as the original at least felt like it reached a more proper conclusion.
It sort of hits some of the same beats as the original film, but quickly goes off and spins into its own separate story of self discovery for the main character, known mostly just as Major. If you're not familiar with the series, don't worry, this is written in a way where it can stand on its own merits (while not necessarily living up to the anime and manga it's based off of).
By Gretchen Rubin
Pretty sure I'm a Rebel. With a (very) heavy dose of Obliger. Hoping this book will help me find the will power to tackle the rest of this list.
by Ree Drummond
This year I'm REALLY going to cook nutritous homemade meals. That are not Stoffers. Seriously. Maybe.
by Hal Elrod
Not sure what this is all about, but SIGN ME UP! Except for the 8 am part.
by Nancy Jo Sales
My 13 year old is a sweetie. And social media obsessed. I'm going to need to read up.
by Douglas Haddad
My 10 year old is (also) a sweetie. And also social media obessed. And obsessed with any thing her 13 year old sister does. I'm going to need to read up.
by Admiral William H. McRaven
Girls, listen up. (Heather, listen up!) Just make your bed already!
by Chris Guillebeau
Because College. Is. Just. Four. Years. OFF!
Because College. Is. Just. Four. Years. OFF! And it's never to soon to understand your options.
by Emily K. Neuburger
Because who doesn't want to be more spontaneous, wild and inventive (wink). Sign me up!
Kids & Parents
Sing a song
While children of all abilities are invited to participate in their age-appropriate storytime, we know that it can be a bit overwhelming for some families.
We open at 9:00am today.