Posted in Happening at the library

Happening at the library

Women’s History Month 2026

At DPPL, March isn’t just the start of spring–it’s also Women’s History Month!

Women’s accomplishments deserve their share of the spotlight.

The National Women’s History Alliance has declared the theme for Women’s History Month 2026: “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

Let’s shine some light on how women have supported sustainability and reform throughout our communities. 

The world is blue: how our fate and the ocean's are one Dr Sylvia Earle  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

The world is blue: how our fate and the ocean's are one

Dr Sylvia Earle

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

Silent Spring Rachel Carson:  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.

Silent Spring

Rachel Carson

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.

Waste: one woman's fight against America's dirty secret Catherine Coleman Flowers  Catherine Coleman Flowers is an environmental health specialist, dedicated to improving quality of sanitation and access to sewage in underserved communities. She is a MacAr

Waste: one woman's fight against America's dirty secret

Catherine Coleman Flowers

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.

Lady Bird Johnson: hiding in plain sight  Lady Bird Johnson  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

Lady Bird Johnson: hiding in plain sight 

Lady Bird Johnson

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.

To be a water protector: the rise of the wiindigo slayers Winona LaDuke  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

To be a water protector: the rise of the wiindigo slayers

Winona LaDuke

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.

.

To learn more about how you can be part of the sustainable future in your everyday life, check out these reads.

 Make, Sew and Mend by Bernadette Banner

Make, Sew and Mend

by Bernadette Banner

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!

The Permaculture by Huw Richards

The Permaculture

by Huw Richards

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.

Wallet Activism by Tanja Hester

Wallet Activism

by Tanja Hester

"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 by John Wackman & Elizabeth Knight

Repair Revolution

by John Wackman & Elizabeth Knight

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.

Happening at the library

The Canvas + Des Plaines Theatre 100th Celebration Project

Join us in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of one of Des Plaines' crown jewels:  The Des Plaines Theatre!

Download a coloring template (or create your own), drop off your masterpiece and be entered into a drawing to win a Dinner and Show for 8 People, and more! 

Continue Reading "The Canvas + Des Plaines Theatre 100th Celebration Project"

Happening at the library

21 Recs Celebrating World Mental Health Day

Now, more than ever, the need for mental health access is a necessity around the world.

World Mental Health Day October 10 promo image featuring brain and flowers.
Each year, the World Health Organization chooses a theme for World Mental Health Day, which falls on October 10.

The 2025 World Mental Health Day theme focuses on the essential nature of mental health resource access during catastrophes and emergencies. 

Learn More

Libraries are here to help connect you with resources, and that includes helping find mental health access in the community.

Here is a brief list of resources in the Des Plaines area: 

Continue Reading "21 Recs Celebrating World Mental Health Day"

Happening at the library

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Cafecito Y Libritos,  DPPL’s Spanish Book Club

There’s a lot in the world to be uncertain about, but if there’s one thing I have always been sure of, it has to be the power of food!

Food brings people and community together and that’s what the library is all about!

Meeting wonderful new people and trying new things of all sorts! 

Food, and more specifically, cultural traditions are a huge part of Cafecito Y Libritos, DPPL’s Spanish Book Club of Two Years!

Continue Reading "Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Cafecito Y Libritos,  DPPL’s Spanish Book Club"

Happening at the library

The Comic Craze Raffle and Free Comic Book Day

Aw Yeah Free Comic Book Day logo
Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 3rd and we have some exciting things going on at the library.

First, we want to see YOUR art!

For ages up to 12, enter our Comic Craze Raffle by submitting some of your own panels.  

Swing by the Youth Services Desk to pick up your blank panel and to bring it back when finished.  

You'll get one raffle entry per submission.

Continue Reading "The Comic Craze Raffle and Free Comic Book Day"