<![CDATA[Des Plaines Public Library Blog]]> https://www.dppl.org/ News, recommendations, and more from the Des Plaines Public Library en blog@dppl.org Copyright 2026 2026-03-31T18:48:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Deaf History Month and Libraries]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/deaf-history-month-and-libraries https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/deaf-history-month-and-libraries#When:1774982880 Even before its founding in 2006, Deaf History Month has always been heavily intertwined with libraries.

In 1997, Alice Hagemeyer – a deaf librarian at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – created Deaf Awareness Week, which began on March 13th.

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. 

In 2006, the American Library Association and the National Association of the Deaf expanded upon Hagemeyer’s Deaf History Week, declaring March 13th through April 15th as Deaf History Month – though it was changed to be the full month of April in 2022.

Since its creation, both organizations have advocated for a federal proclamation of Deaf History Month.

Some ways you can celebrate Deaf History Month include: 

Centering Deaf Creators

CENTERING DEAF CREATORS

Deaf utopia : a memoir--and a love letter to a way of life Nyle DiMarco

Deaf Utopia : a memoir--and a love letter to a way of life

Nyle DiMarco

Memoir

Through Deaf Eyes Streaming Via Kanopy

Through Deaf Eyes

Documentary Streaming Via Kanopy 

True Biz Sara Nović

True Biz

Sara  Nović 

Novel 

The Silence Between Us Alison Gervais Juvenile Fiction

The Silence Between Us 

Alison Gervais

Juvenile Fiction 

LEARNING ABOUT DEAF HISTORY

LEARNING ABOUT DEAF HISTORY 

Seeing Voices: A Journey Into the Land of the Deaf Oliver Sacks Non-Fiction

Seeing Voices: A Journey Into the Land of the Deaf

Oliver Sacks

Non-Fiction

Compensation Blue-ray DVD Film

Compensation

Blue-ray DVD 

Film 

A Life Without Words Documentary Streaming via Kanopy

A Life Without Words 

Documentary Streaming via Kanopy 

LEARNING ASL

LEARNING ASL

American Sign Language (ASL) Made Easy Streaming Video via Hoopla

American Sign Language (ASL) Made Easy 

Streaming Video via Hoopla

American Sign Language for Beginners: Learning Signing Essentials in 30 Days Rochelle Barlow

American Sign Language for Beginners: Learning Signing Essentials in 30 Days

Rochelle Barlow

Book 

The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language Book + DVD

The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language

Book + DVD 

American Sign Language for Kids Vol. 1. Streaming Video Via Hoopla

American Sign Language for Kids Vol. 1.

Streaming Video Via Hoopla

]]> 2026-03-31T18:48:00+00:00 <![CDATA[DIY With DPPL: Notebook]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/diy-with-dppl-notebook https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/diy-with-dppl-notebook#When:1774100700 Hey, Kiddos! It's time for a new edition of DIY with DPPL! This month, make your own notebook!

Starting on Saturday, March 21st, stop by the Youth Services desk on the second floor of DPPL to pick up a kit (while supplies last!), and then use the materials to do the project we show you step-by-step in the video.

(Grade 1 and up.)

]]> 2026-03-21T13:45:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Miner Recs Episode 97: 98th Academy Awards]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/miner-recs-episode-97-98th-academy-awards https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/miner-recs-episode-97-98th-academy-awards#When:1773263400 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:

]]> 2026-03-11T21:10:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Women’s History Month 2026]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/womens-history-month-2026 https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/womens-history-month-2026#When:1772206920 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. 

Centering Deaf Creators

CENTERING DEAF CREATORS

Deaf utopia : a memoir--and a love letter to a way of life Nyle DiMarco

Deaf Utopia : a memoir--and a love letter to a way of life

Nyle DiMarco

Memoir

Through Deaf Eyes Streaming Via Kanopy

Through Deaf Eyes

Documentary Streaming Via Kanopy 

True Biz Sara Nović

True Biz

Sara  Nović 

Novel 

The Silence Between Us Alison Gervais Juvenile Fiction

The Silence Between Us 

Alison Gervais

Juvenile Fiction 

LEARNING ABOUT DEAF HISTORY

LEARNING ABOUT DEAF HISTORY 

Seeing Voices: A Journey Into the Land of the Deaf Oliver Sacks Non-Fiction

Seeing Voices: A Journey Into the Land of the Deaf

Oliver Sacks

Non-Fiction

Compensation Blue-ray DVD Film

Compensation

Blue-ray DVD 

Film 

A Life Without Words Documentary Streaming via Kanopy

A Life Without Words 

Documentary Streaming via Kanopy 

LEARNING ASL

LEARNING ASL

American Sign Language (ASL) Made Easy Streaming Video via Hoopla

American Sign Language (ASL) Made Easy 

Streaming Video via Hoopla

American Sign Language for Beginners: Learning Signing Essentials in 30 Days Rochelle Barlow

American Sign Language for Beginners: Learning Signing Essentials in 30 Days

Rochelle Barlow

Book 

The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language Book + DVD

The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language

Book + DVD 

American Sign Language for Kids Vol. 1. Streaming Video Via Hoopla

American Sign Language for Kids Vol. 1.

Streaming Video Via Hoopla

]]> 2026-02-27T15:42:00+00:00 <![CDATA[DIY With DPPL: Yarn People]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/diy-with-dppl-yarn-people https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/diy-with-dppl-yarn-people#When:1771682400 Hey, Kiddos! It's time for a new edition of DIY with DPPL! This month, make your own yarn people!

Starting on Saturday, February 21st, stop by the Youth Services desk on the second floor of DPPL to pick up a kit (while supplies last!), and then use the materials to do the project we show you step-by-step in the video.

(Grade 1 and up.)

]]> 2026-02-21T14:00:00+00:00 <![CDATA[When you think of Black History Month… what comes to mind?]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/when-you-think-of-black-history-month-what-comes-to-mind https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/when-you-think-of-black-history-month-what-comes-to-mind#When:1769709660 Is it Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech? Or Rosa Parks’ historic act of refusing to move to the back of the bus? Or Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet”? 

When we think about or talk about Black History Month, we often mention major historical events and well-known figures, but what about the people who make a difference in the shadows? Let’s point the spotlight on them, shall we? 

B/W photo of Claudette Colvin, who shares a similar story to Rosa Parks. At just 15 years old, she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955 and later became a key plaintiff in the court case that helped end bus segregation
 Claudette Colvin

Claudette Colvin shares a similar story to Rosa Parks.

Claudette Colvin, a nurse’s aide and Civil Rights Movement activist, was born on September 5, 1939, in Birmingham, Alabama.

At just 15 years old, she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955. 

Later became a key plaintiff in the court case that helped end bus segregation.

Learn More:

YOUTH BOOK, Claudette Colvin: civil rights activist

adult book,  Righteous trouble makers : untold stories of the social justice movement in America

B/W photo of Charity Adams Earley. She was a trailblazer in military history. She was the first Black woman to become an officer in the Women’s Army Corps and commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. Her unit cleared a massive backlog of mail for U.S. soldiers overseas, boosting morale and proving the strength and capability of Black women in the armed forces during a time of segregation and discrimination.
Charity Adams Earley

Charity Adams Earley was a trailblazer in military history.

She was the first Black woman to become an officer in the Women’s Army Corps and commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II.

Her unit cleared a massive backlog of mail for U.S. soldiers overseas, boosting morale and proving the strength and capability of Black women in the armed forces during a time of segregation and discrimination.  

LEARN MORE:

eBOOK  Contemporary Black biography. Volume 34 : profiles from the international Black community

Stacey Abrams is known for advocating to protect voting access, especially in communities of color. Her work in voter registration and fighting voter suppression has reshaped political participation in Georgia. To this day, Fair Fight continues to combat voter suppression.
Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams is known for advocating to protect voting access, especially in communities of color.

Her work in voter registration and fighting voter suppression has reshaped political participation in Georgia.

To this day, Fair Fight continues to combat voter suppression.  

LEARN MORE:

YOUTH BOOK,  Stacey Abrams : lift every voice

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, fights against wrongful convictions, mass incarceration, and unfair sentencing. He also created the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, honoring victims of racial terror lynchings.
Bryan Stevenson

Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, fights against wrongful convictions, mass incarceration, and unfair sentencing.

He also created the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, honoring victims of racial terror lynchings. 

learn more:

WEBSITE The national memorial for peace and justice 

DVD   True justice : Bryan Stevenson's fight for equality

MOVIE DVD  Just mercy

Making a political move isn’t all that Black History Month is about.

Did you know there was a librarian from Philadelphia who recorded TV non-stop for over 30 years? She created an archive of TV history with more than 70,000 VHS tapes. Her name was Marion Stokes, and her vision was to preserve the history of what appeared on television.
There are many other figures making a difference in all kinds of fields, like sports, movies, music, the arts, and more. 

Did you know there was a librarian from Philadelphia who recorded TV non-stop for over 30 years?

She created an archive of TV history with more than 70,000 VHS tapes. Her name was Marion Stokes, and her vision was to preserve the history of what appeared on television. 

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO

Curious how you can enjoy and celebrate Black History Month?

You can start by learning more about the ways Black voices have paved the way not only in political and civil rights, but also through inventions we use almost daily, such as improvements to traffic signals and blood banks.

You can also visit the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, located in Chicago at 740 E. 56th Place.

Fun fact: the museum’s founder, Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs, was a Chicagoan. 

You can also explore our list of materials featuring the people mentioned in this post and many others.

We have something for everyone.Databases we offer on this subject: 

Black Americans in Gale (library card required) 

Black Freedom Struggle in the United States 

Looking for activities or resources to enjoy for BHM? 

Free Black History Concert Series – Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 11:00 AM | Auditorium Theatre.  

Poetry Foundation – Celebrating Black History Month – Poems  

I hope you learned something new from this post and celebrate Black History Month by discovering new facts, stories, and examples of Black excellence. 

]]> 2026-01-29T18:01:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Read, Watch & Listen: Miner Recs January 2026]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/read-watch-listen-miner-recs-january-2026 https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/read-watch-listen-miner-recs-january-2026#When:1768494660
B/W photo of Claudette Colvin, who shares a similar story to Rosa Parks. At just 15 years old, she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus in 1955 and later became a key plaintiff in the court case that helped end bus segregation
Here's what DPPL's Readers' Advisory staff recommends you read, watch, or listen to this month!

READ

]]> 2026-01-15T16:31:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Read, Watch & Listen: Miner Recs December 2025]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/read-watch-listen-miner-recs-december-2025 https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/read-watch-listen-miner-recs-december-2025#When:1766165760
Miner Recs January 2026
Here's what DPPL's Readers' Advisory staff recommends you read, watch, or listen to this month!

READ

]]> 2025-12-19T17:36:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Picks For Kids: Rocky’s Recs December 2025]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/picks-for-kids-rockys-recs-december-2025 https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/picks-for-kids-rockys-recs-december-2025#When:1765909380
Miner Recs December 2025
The Youth Services Team loves going on adventures together through books, movies, video games, and much more. Find out where your favorite librarians have traveled this month!

READ IT NOW

]]> 2025-12-16T18:23:00+00:00 <![CDATA[Adult Winter Reading 2025]]> https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/winter-reading-for-adults-2025 https://www.dppl.org/blog/post/winter-reading-for-adults-2025#When:1765818600 Light up your Winter!

December 15th through February 15th, read a book and submit an entry for a chance to win a $50 gift card to AMC Movie Theaters, Galaxy Hotpot restaurant, or the official NASA online store! 

2025-2026 Adult Winter Reading Log Ballot 

Or participate in the weekly trivia contest for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Galaxy Hotpot.

You can find the weekly  questions on DPPL's Facebook and Instagram pages, or in person at the library.

Light up your Winter! December 15th through February 15th, read a book and submit an entry for a chance to win a $50 gift card to AMC Movie Theaters, Galaxy Hotpot restaurant, or the official NASA online store! Or participate in the weekly trivia contestfor a chance to win a $25 gift card to Galaxy Hotpot.

]]> 2025-12-15T17:10:00+00:00