Local mystery author passes away

June 10, 2010

Eleanor Taylor Bland’s mysteries combined police procedurals with contemporary African American themes. Female cop Marti “Big Mac” MacAlister works with her white partner Matthew Jessenovik  in the fictional Illinois town Lincoln Prairie (which was a stand-in for Waukegan ).  We have most of her books beginning with her debut mystery Dead Time. Read more about […]



50th Anniversary of “Mockingbird” Marked Nationally

June 1, 2010

This article in the NY Times explains the various activities planned to celebrate a half century of the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Not surprisingly, the reclusive author, Harper Lee, is not planning on participating in public gatherings honoring her famous work.


The Joys of Reading (and Not)

May 24, 2010

Having worked in bookstores and libraries for many years and having loved books for even more years, it was with great delight that I came across an essay Kristy Logan wrote for The Millions about her overflowing collection of unread books. Like Logan, I too am guilty of stockpiling far more books than I will be […]


Yeah, There’s a Book Like That

May 21, 2010

Whether you’re looking for a new book to read and aren’t sure exactly what you want or you’re looking for your next great read and are absolutely certain what kind of book you want, than have we got a tool for you. For the next two weeks EPL is featuring a free preview of Books […]


Jewish American Heritage Month

May 19, 2010

The death of postwar Yiddish writer Chaim Grade’s widow on May 2, means that his many untranslated, unpublished writings, which were  jealously guarded by Inna Hecker Grade, may finally become available to general readers. Grade lived in Lithuania until the Nazis arrived. Eventually, he made his way to the New York, where he wrote for Yiddish newspapers. Not a lot […]


Manga Mania at Queens Public Library

May 18, 2010

My mother, a dedicated 5th grade teacher, deplored comic books and refused to allow them in her classroom. “All kids do is look at the pictures; they don’t learn to read that way”. Dear old Mom. She was right about some things, (yellow is not my color) but dead wrong about comics…or graphic novels as […]


Libraries and StoryCorps

May 14, 2010

Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps, talks about the role of libraries in this national oral history project in the latest issue of  American Libraries. A truly inspirational project and article. Laura H., Reader’s Services


Impossible, You Say??

May 14, 2010

If you’re feeling bored, seeking out a good book to read, or looking to do a little literary heavy lifting, have we got a challenge for you. On June 16, EPL is starting up a brand new book club called Mission Impossible. The goal is to tackle some of the world’s most difficult novels in […]


Next chapter unwritten for Evanston’s branch libraries

May 11, 2010

A fairly recent article in the Daily Northwestern about the branches‘ struggle for survival. Includes an interactive timeline and a photo of Connie! Note that there is another article from Mar. 31, 2010 on the branches, too. Shira S., (Reader’s Services)


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