Neighbors Together Program Series
Nine public libraries (Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Indian Prairie, Itasca, Naperville, Westmont, and Wheaton) are offering a "one community, one book" program series called Neighbors Together in which each library will host a book discussion on Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas.
This program series in September is to promote Literacy DuPage, a local organization that teaches English to adults, and to highlight the diversity of DuPage County. Learn more about volunteering by watching this short video. We are scheduling additional immigration-themed events, and members of all libraries are welcome to participate in any of the programs or book discussions. Please note the individual libraries’ registration policies. Some events are held in person, and some are hybrid (both online and in person).
Literacy DuPage Lobby Drop-ins
Indian Prairie Public Library: Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2–5 p.m.
Westmont Public Library: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4:30–7 p.m.
Glen Ellyn Public Library: Thursday, Sept. 14, 4–7 p.m.
Downers Grove Public Library: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Elmhurst Public Library: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Wheaton Public Library: Thursday, Sept. 21, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Carol Stream Public Library: Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m.–noon.
Literacy DuPage recruits and trains volunteer tutors who teach English to DuPage County adults. Since 1972, they have been equipping a big-hearted army of tutors to work side-by-side with adults who wish to learn English or to improve their comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Stop by the lobby to see how you can volunteer.
Immigration: An American Story Traveling Exhibit
Hosted by Wheaton Public Library
Monday, Sept. 4 through Friday, Sept. 29
This collection of seven informational panels presents documents, maps, and images to tell select stories of those who came to America, some by coercion and others by choice, in search of a better future for themselves and later generations. The exhibit is on loan from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Programs
Living Room Conversation: Welcoming Diverse Neighbors (Online)
Hosted by Wheaton Public Library
Monday, Sept. 11, 7–8 p.m.
Immigration is a highly personal and political topic. Let’s listen to each other’s experiences and increase our understanding to build a foundation for better relationships and solutions. In partnership with the Wheaton League of Women Voters. Zoom Registration.
Being From In-Between: A Neighbors Together Story Show (Hybrid)
Hosted by Naperville Public Library
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7–8 p.m.
Join us as we welcome back award-winning storyteller, Jasmin Cardenas, who will share personal tales of being bicultural and bilingual.
This program will be held in person and live streamed via Zoom. Registration is only required if you want to join virtually. Register below through Zoom directly. An email containing the link to join will automatically be emailed once registration is complete. Zoom Registration
This program will also be recorded and posted on the Library's YouTube channel for two weeks.
Children of Heaven Movie Screening
Held at Carol Stream Public Library
Saturday, Sept. 23, 10:30 a.m.–noon
Children of Heaven, rated PG, is a story that will win over audiences of all ages. It is the first Iranian film to be nominated for an Academy Award. “After a boy loses his sister's pair of shoes, he goes on a series of adventures in order to find them. When he can't, he tries a new way to "win" a new pair." (imdb.com). Movies are shown with closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
Be a Good Neighbor (Online)
Hosted by Wheaton Public Library
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 7–8 p.m.
Representatives from Literacy DuPage, World Relief, People's Resource Center, and the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights discuss the services provided by their organizations and how community members can help and get involved. Zoom Registration
In Pursuit of Happiness: Immigrants in our Communities Exhibit Retrospective (Hybrid)
Held at the Elmhurst Public Library and through Zoom
Thursday, Sept. 28, 7–8 p.m.
Dave Oberg, director of the Elmhurst History Museum, provides an overview of immigration history and patterns in Elmhurst and the western suburbs, with a strong focus on the period after World War II. Cosponsored by the Elmhurst History Museum and Neighbors Together, an initiative of several DuPage County Libraries promoting Literacy DuPage. Registration required.
Book Discussions
Each library is offering a book discussion on Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas. Follow the links to each library for details about book availability and registration:
Indian Prairie Public Library: Nonfiction at Night: (In-Person) Thursday, Sept. 7, 7–8 p.m.
Naperville Public Library: Neighbors Together: (Hybrid) Thursday, Sept. 7, 7–8 p.m. Registration is only required if you wish to participate via Zoom.
Itasca Community Library: Beyond the Library (In-Person) Monday, Sept. 11, 7–8 p.m.
Glen Ellyn Public Library: Thursday Evening: (In-Person) Thursday, Sept. 14, 7–8 p.m.
Elmhurst Public Library: Learn & Grow: (Hybrid): Thursday, Sept. 14, 7–8:15 p.m.
Westmont Public Library: Neighbors Together (In-Person): Monday, Sept. 18, 6–7 p.m.
Carol Stream Public Library: Around the World (In-Person): Monday, Sept. 18, 6:30–8 p.m.
Downers Grove Public Library Real Reads (Hybrid): Tuesday, Sept. 19, 9:30–11 a.m.
Wheaton Public Library: Nonfiction Book Discussion (Online): Monday, Sept. 25, 7–8 p.m.
