Spotlight
The Chicagoland area has an amazing wealth of Asian American and Pacific Island history to explore – many of which you can access with your library card! Here are some resources that can help you find, discover, and learn about these communities.
Continue Reading "Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!" →
Spotlight
Even before its founding in 2006, Deaf History Month has always been heavily intertwined with libraries.
This date was chosen for historical significance, as it coincided with the 1988 appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan, the first deaf president of Gallaudet University – the United States’ first and only higher education institution designed for deaf and hard of hearing students.
DIY with DPPL
Hey, Kiddos! It's time for a new edition of DIY with DPPL! This month, make your own notebook!
(Grade 1 and up.)
Miner Recs Newsletters & Podcasts
On this episode, Angelo, Ariana, and Quinn preview the 2026 Oscars, sharing their predictions and opinions on the films nominated. Listen to their conversation in the player below:
Happening at the library
At DPPL, March isn’t just the start of spring–it’s also Women’s History Month!
The National Women’s History Alliance has declared the theme for Women’s History Month 2026: “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”
by Alice Wong
by Jessica Machado
by Thi Bui
by George Takei
by Titaua Peu
by Shehan Karunatilaka
by Ocean Vuong
by Charles Yu
Documentary Streaming via Kanopy
A world-renowned marine biologist and oceanographer, Dr. Earle advocates for ocean protection and education. Even in her 90s, she’s a member of the Ocean Elders, a group dedicated to ocean conversation. Did you know she holds the record for the deepest walk on the sea floor
Rachel Carson is best known for her book Silent Spring, exposing the use of harmful pesticides in the US. She is also a marine biologist! In 1980, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions.
Catherine Coleman Flowers is an environmental health specialist, dedicated to improving quality of sanitation and access to sewage in underserved communities. She is a MacArthur fellow and has collaborated with Columbia University to develop improvements in waste disposal. In 2021, she was appointed to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Former First Lady Claudia Johnson advocated for the Highway Beautification Act in the 60s. She ran press campaigns to preserve national parks across the U.S. In the 80s, she founded the National Wildlife Research Center (now the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) in Austin, Texas.
Author and activist Winona LaDuke has been vocal about environmentalism since the 80s. She links environmentalism with human rights, particularly regarding the preservation of Native American lands and customs. She aims to improve sustainability through better farming practices.
Learn the historically proven stitches every seamster needs with beloved Historical Fashion YouTuber Bernadette Banner. Whether you are just getting started with sustainable fashion and need to alter your new secondhand finds, or you want an introduction to sewing techniques for making your own clothes, Bernadette Banner's signature voice will guide you through all the traditional stitches and techniques you need to extend the life of your favorite pieces and take fashion into your own hands!
Explores regenerative methods to create a sustainable, productive kitchen garden year-round, with advice on growing diverse edible plants, incorporating perennials, optimizing garden design, and enhancing aesthetics and environmental benefits through seasonal planning and mixed planting techniques.
"From Tanja Hester, Our Next Life blogger and author of Work Optional, comes the mindset-shifting guide to help you put your money where your mouth is. Wallet Activism is not a list of dos and don'ts that will soon become outdated, nor does it call for anti-consumerist perfection."
Repair Revolution chronicles the rise of repair cafés: non-profit, volunteer organizations devoted to repairing electronics and household items for free. After outlining the philosophy of repair cafés, the book discusses practical details such as online repair resources, fixes for common product malfunctions, and tips for founding new repair cafés.
