DG Public Library Foundation

Happy National ! 📚

Check out what some of the directors are currently reading - and let us know what we should add to our lists!

1. Amanda ReCupido - That Librarian by Amanda Jones
2. Kathrina Dubnicek - Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
3. Katie Johnson - All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House by David Giffels
4. Genene Murphy - Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
5. Dave Sosnow - Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
6. Peggy Delaney - Sociopath by Patric Gagne
7. Elly Kafritsas - Soundtrack of Silence: Love, Loss, and a Playlist for Life by Matt Hay
8. Jamie Dougherty - Do the Work: An Antiracist Activity book by W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz; The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt; Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown; The Book of Patience by Courtney E. Ackerman; Self Compassion by Kristin Neff
9. Christine Penn - All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Get to know our honored guest for our fall event, a conversation with Dr. Dieter Gruen. From fleeing N**i Germany with his brother at the age of 14 in order to safely attend school in the US, to working on the Manhattan Project (and subsequently becoming an advocate for the safe use of atomic energy) and even being the President of the Friends of the Downers Grove Public Library - Dieter continues to give some much of his talents. At 101 years young, he is still working in a lab researching advances in solar technology despite being “retired” from a six decade spanning career at Argonne National Laboratory. Learn from this local legend in conversation with the DG Public Library Foundation‘s own Anne Wick on 9/14 at 2pm at the The Avery Coonley School auditorium. Tickets are available at https://givebutter.com/DGPLF-DrGruen/. As always, proceeds from your purchase return to the library you love.

Tonight is the August Downers Grove Public Library Board of Trustees meeting. It’s the the time of year when the library budget for the following year (2025) will be due to the village (at the end of August), so incorporating initiatives from the library’s strategic plan - including the possibility of an on-staff social worker - will be a crucial part of tonight’s discussion.

Please note, tonight’s meeting will be at the new Downers Grove Civic Center in the Betty Cheever Council Chambers (850 Curtis).

While the DGPL foundation is a separate entity from the library’s Board of Trustees, we always encourage active support and advocacy for the library including but not limited to engaging in the library’s operations by being involved and aware of what transpires at monthly board meetings.

Tickets are rolling in for next month’s event with the esteemed Dr. Dieter Gruen. Have you reserved your spot yet?

Local journalist Bob Rakow will serve as emcee and the DG Public Library Foundation ’s own Anne Wick, and close friend of Dr. Gruen, will moderate. This event is your opportunity to take a peek into history as Dieter shares details from his fascinating life immigrating as a teenager escaping N**i Germany to safely attend school in the US, his long and varied career including 60 years at Argonne National Laboratory (plus, he still goes into his lab regularly to continue his research on solar and climate energy), and his connection to the Downers Grove Public Library as a president of the “Friends” and as a rooted member of this community. As he faced adversity throughout his life, he continued to advocate for access, including as a supporter of an institution that continues to be at the forefront of resource sharing (for books, information and beyond), the Downers Grove Public Library.

Join us for this unique event celebrating history, environmental research, library advocacy and community.

Purchase your ticket at the link in our bio or https://givebutter.com/DGPLF-DrGruen/ .

Did you hear the news?

We’ve got a special event coming up next month that you won’t want to miss.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Dieter Gruen on September 14th at 2pm at The Avery Coonley School auditorium. Dr. Gruen was a scientist in the Manhattan Project, is a longtime Downers Grove resident, and was the former Friends of the Downers Grove Public Library president.

Learn more about Dr. Gruen and reserve your tickets for the event at the link in our bio or below.

https://www.dgplfoundation.org/dr-gruen/

Meet DG Public Library Foundation secretary, Anne Wick!

Our board of dedicated directors advocate for our library and fund beyond taxpayer expense. Learn how Anne got involved and peek what she’s been reading! Anne will also be moderating our fall event with the esteemed Dr. Dieter Gruen in September so keep your eyes peeled for more to come on that!

Remember, newsletter subscribers see our board spotlight before anyone else so be sure to sign up via the link in our bio or below!

https://www.dgplfoundation.org/contact-us/

Join us today for a 🦁👑 sing-along.
(Tickets available at the door.)

https://www.hollywoodblvdcinema.com/movies/DG20224/

As we approach the phase of summer where we’re inching closer to the start of a new school year than the end of the last one, you’re probably on the lookout for fun activities to fill the remaining days before fall is upon us. Look no further than our collaboration with Hollywood Blvd Cinema for a special sing-along event on Sun., Aug. 4th.

The DG Public Library Foundation and Hollywood Blvd. are partnering for a fun-filled family event! Join us to watch THE LlON KlNG 🦁👑 and sing along to your favorite tunes from the film. The best part? 50% of your ticket purchase will return to the foundation.

🎶 Belt out songs and move to the music
🦁 Dress like your favorite animal
📸 Take photos in front of a themed backdrop
📚 Go home with a free children’s book
🎟️ Enter to win animal-themed & DGPLF goodies

Purchase tickets at dgplf.org/go/singalong.

We can’t wait to sing, dance, and share our love of the Downers Grove Public Library with you!

It’s that time again! We’ll be popping up and sharing space with the Downers Grove Public Library in the community tent at The Downtown Downers Grove Market tomorrow. If you attend Saturday’s market, be sure to stop by and say “hi” to Elly (from the foundation) and Cindy (from the library)! Elly will be there to share more about the work that the DG Public Library Foundation does to support the work of the library you love and can share ways to be part of it (wink wink - like at our upcoming cinema sing-along for the whole family on August 4th at Hollywood Blvd).

July’s Downers Grove Public Library Board of Trustees monthly meeting is tonight! Your presence at and interest in these meetings always means a lot. It’s the the time of year when the library budget for the following year (2025) will be due to the village (at the end of August), so incorporating initiatives from the library’s strategic plan - including the possibility of an on-staff social worker - will continue to be part of the discussion.

Tonight’s meeting will be held in the main meeting room of the library (near the Forest/parking lot entrance) at 7pm.

While the DG Public Library Foundation is a separate entity from the library’s Board of Trustees, we always encourage active support and advocacy for the library including but not limited to engaging in the library’s operations by being involved and aware of what transpires at monthly board meetings.

It’s that time of the month. Give what you can to support the take what you need pantry at the Downers Grove Public Library this weekend.

Food & Toiletries Drive this Saturday and Sunday!

Bring donations for the library's free pantry, The Cupboard, which supports housing & food-insecure community members. Click below for a list of items accepted/not accepted. Donate in the lobby. https://downersgrove.libnet.info/event/11073274

Can't make it this weekend? Check out our Amazon wish list here: https://dgpl.fyi/cupboard

As we approach the phase of summer where we’re inching closer to the start of a new school year than the end of the last one, you’re probably on the lookout for fun activities to fill the remaining days before fall is upon us. Look no further than our collaboration with Hollywood Blvd Cinema for a special sing-along event on Sun., Aug. 4th.

The DG Public Library Foundation and Hollywood Blvd. are partnering for a fun-filled family event! Join us to watch THE LlON KlNG 🦁👑 and sing along to your favorite tunes from the film. The best part? 50% of your ticket purchase will return to the foundation.

🎶 Belt out songs and move to the music
🦁 Dress like your favorite animal
📸 Take photos in front of a themed backdrop
📚 Go home with a free children’s book
🎟️ Enter to win animal-themed & DGPLF goodies

Purchase tickets at dgplf.org/go/singalong.

We can’t wait to sing, dance, and share our love of the Downers Grove Public Library with you!

We asked what you love about the Downers Grove Public Library and you answered! While the library is a fantastic place to discover books and a myriad of other materials, it’s also simply a lovely place to be. And the staff at our library are pivotal in making the library a welcoming environment from the very moment a patron walks in the door.

What do YOU love about the library? Tell us below.
https://dgplf.org/go/library-love

📣📣📣Signal boosting!📣📣📣

If you are able, the Downers Grove Public Library is in need of Donations to The Cupboard, a take-what-you-need pantry. Click the link to DGPL’s Amazon wishlist in the post below to view the most in-need items!

Community members, we need your help! The Cupboard, our small food pantry, is running low on items. Consider making a donation to The Cupboard through our Amazon wishlist below. Thank you! https://dgpl.fyi/cupboard

Are you planning on going to The Downtown Downers Grove Market this weekend? The DG Public Library Foundation will be guests of the Downers Grove Public Library tent during tomorrow’s market between 10am - 12pm. Come by and say “hi!”
📚🌻☀️😎💐

Tonight is the monthly Downers Grove Public Library Board of Trustees meeting. These meetings are always a great opportunity for the public to gain “behind the scenes” insight into library operations while also showing support for the dedicated staff, Board and the institution itself by being physically present. After all, showing up demonstrates that you care!

NOTE: Tonight’s meeting will be held in the Downers Grove Public Library’s main meeting room.

The DG Public Library Foundation president and vice president (Amanda, left and Katie, right) joined the Rotary Club of Downers Grove GroveFest as volunteers at the beer tent last night for the first day of festivities. The weekend-long event enlists the help of hundreds of volunteers, providing a service stipend when volunteers donate their time on behalf of a specific non-profit, helping cycle profits back into the community (in Amanda and Katie’s case, their stipend will benefit the Downers Grove Public Library). If you attend, be sure to ask the volunteers in the red Rotary shirts what non-profit they’re with to get an idea of the expanse of organizations that this event supports. ❤️

Planning on stopping by tomorrow (Sat. 6/22)? The DGPL Foundation will be at the non-profit booth from 12 - 2pm. Stop by to learn more!

https://www.dgplfoundation.org/see-you-at-rotary-grovefest-this-june/

A limited number of volunteer slots are still available for the Rotary Club of Downers Grove’s upcoming Rotary GroveFest!

Sign-up for a volunteer shift (did you know that over 600 volunteer shifts are needed to put on this event?!) at this year’s Rotary GroveFest coming up in less than a week, and choose the Downers Grove Public Library Foundation as the benefiting non-profit organization. In exchange for your time, DG Public Library Foundation will receive a $40 stipend - making this an event that celebrates as well as gives back to the community.

Click the link below now to register for one of the few remaining shifts.

https://rotarygrovefest.com/volunteer-participation/

We’re one week away from our community giveback day at Alter Brewing Co.!

In case you needed an excuse to support the Downers Grove Public Library and cheers a local business at the same time, look no further. On Monday, June 17th during business hours (3-10pm), $1 of every drink sold Alter Brewing Company ‘s Downers Grove taproom will go back to the DG Public Library Foundation and the library you love.
🍻📚💚📚🍻

Can’t wait to see you there!
RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/496363869576246

Have you heard? You can now wear your Downers Grove Public Library love on your sleeve… quite literally! The DG Public Library Foundation now has a merch store where you can purchase t-shirts that proclaim your library love to the world.

Order yours today!
👕💕📚
https://dgplfriends.threadless.com

Are you signed up to receive the DG Public Library Foundation newsletter? It’s the best way to stay in touch with all the latest and greatest from the DGPL Foundation - including this recent director spotlight with our tactful treasurer, Alison. Find out what motivated Alison to get involved along with what books she can’t put down!

Be the first to receive future updates like this by signing up for the e-newsletter via the link below!

https://www.dgplfoundation.org/contact-us/

Looking for a thoughtful gift for a dad or grad in your life? When you purchase a custom engraved Garden Walk Brick from the DG Public Library Foundation, your commemorative brick is added to the garden walk path in the southwest corner of the library’s exterior. Not only will your gift of a brick beautify this space, but it serves as a lasting and one of a kind gift that also supports the library you love, Downers Grove Public Library !

Visit www.dgplfoundation.org/garden-walk-brick-program/ to place an order.

May’s Downers Grove Public Library Board of Trustees monthly meeting is tonight. If you’re interested in what’s going on at the library or simply want to show support - your presence at and interest in these meetings means a lot. Tonight’s meeting will be held at Village Chambers at 7pm.

While the DG Public Library Foundation is a separate entity from the Library Board of Trustees, we always encourage active support and advocacy for the Library including but not limited to engaging in the Library’s operations by being involved and aware of what transpires at these monthly board meetings.

People replace books in upcoming Downers Grove library program People to serve as books in upcoming Downers Grove Public Library program

The Downers Grove Public Library ‘s summer reading program for all ages starts TODAY! 📚 Not only does the summer reading club foster a love for reading across age groups, but this year’s theme of “Read, Renew, Repeat” encourages continuous learning and growth. Plus, there are prizes! 🎉

The DG Public Library Foundation is honored to be a small part of this summer’s program by contributing financial support to expand the Library’s prize offerings to reward participation in achieving reading goals.

Last year’s club saw over 2,600 participants across kids, teens and adults! To accommodate this wealth of participation across the community (and likely exceed it with this year’s club participation), the Library will be introducing more varied programming, increased prize variety and enhanced outreach including offering reading logs in 6 languages in addition to English—Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean and Russian (as well as expanding the accessible of multilingual books and materials).

If you’re seeing this post, we hope it motivates you to stop by the Library and pick up a reading log to participate in this summer’s reading club!

The food and toiletries drive to restock the Downers Grove Public Library ‘s take what you need pantry, The Cupboard, is this weekend. Managed by the Library’s social work interns, The Cupboard has no eligibility requirements, meaning anyone visiting the library can use these resources as needed. Visit the Amazon wish list linked below to view the most needed items. Donations are accepted during library hours in the lobby this Saturday (5/18) and Sunday (5/19).

List of accepted/not accepted items:
https://downersgrove.libnet.info/event/9920851

Amazon wishlist:
https://dgpl.fyi/cupboard