Tweens

Create and explore.

Tween DIY Kit

Starting December 1 / Kid’s World

Pick up supplies at the Kids’ World Desk or request to pick them up at the drive-up window or bookmobile by contacting kids@ahml.info or 847-392-0100. Grades 4–6.

Tween Advisory Group (TAG)

Friday, December 2, 4:15–5:30 p.m. Friday, January 6, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Join like-minded tweens to work on service projects, plan programs and play games. Grades 4–6.

Tween DIY Gifts

Wednesday, December 14, 4:30–6 p.m. Cardinal Room

Make an assortment of gifts that will be sure to brighten up anyone’s holiday season.

Tween LitCrates

Kick off your new year with curated book crates including goodies to keep. Let us know your reading preferences and receive two specially filled crates, available at the beginning of each month. Registration for the January/February session of Tween LitCrates opens on December 1. Signups are limited. Tween LitCrates are for grades 4–6. Find more information and register at ahml.info/LitCrate.

String Art

Tuesday, December 27, , 10–11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Cardinal Room

What can you make with a hammer, wood, nails and string? A work of art! Learn how to create a geometric design that will be perfect to display in your room. Both sessions are the same; register for only one. Grades 4–6.

Meet up or try something new.

Friday Flicks

Fridays, December 2, 16, 23 and 30 6–9 p.m. Hub

Drop in, hang out and watch a movie on the big screen. Come in early to cast your vote on what to watch. Grades 7–12.

Teen Advisory Board

Sunday, December 4, 1–2:30 p.m. Hub

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a high school volunteer group that involves service projects, making your voice heard at the library and having fun. Plan and prepare this year’s projects while earning service hours. Fill out an application to join TAB at ahml.info/teens/volunteer. Questions? Email Teen Services Supervisor, Alice Son at ason@ahml.info. For high school students only.

College Knowledge: College is Possible and How to Save for It

Tuesday, December 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Cardinal Room

See Page 19. For parents of middle school/early high school students who are thinking about college as well as those with younger children who are interested in the state’s college savings plan.

WHERE WE ARE WHERE WE’VE BEEN CALCULUS

Saturday, December 17 noon–5 p.m. Sunday, December 18 noon–6 p.m. Monday, December 19 3–9 p.m. Tuesday, December 20 noon–9 p.m. Wednesday, December 21 noon–9 p.m. Hub

Study for your nal exams and we’ll provide brain-powering snacks, laptops and group study areas to help you prepare. Will petting a good pup help your stress levels? Gracie the therapy dog will stop by the Hub on Sunday, December 18, 2–3 p.m. and Tuesday, December 20, 4–5 p.m. to help you de-stress. For high school students only.

Therapy with Gracie

Dice Guild

Friday, December 9, 6-9 p.m. / Hub

Drop in and play tabletop roleplaying games with other teens! We’ll have everything you need from dice to snacks - just bring your creativity and imagination! (Dice Guild is a great intro to RPGs if you’ve never played. If you’re already a dedicated tabletop gamer, come and try new games or use the Hub for your regular meetups.) Grades 7–12.

Clown College Knowledge

Friday, December 16, 4:30–6 p.m. Cardinal Room

Tired of school and ready for a break? Come and learn how to make balloon animals, learn magic tricks and more! Teens will walk out of the program with a clown kit to practice their new skills at home. This program involves handling latex balloons. For grades 7–12.

Game Tournaments

December 21-–January 7 / First Floor

Enjoy the retro fun of arcade tournament play. High score wins glory…and a prize! Sign-ups begin 15 minutes before listed start times. Each player will have a 10-minute run on an arcade-style cabinet. All tournaments will be held on the first floor, for ages 12 and up.

Mortal Combat

Wednesday, December 21 7–8:30 p.m.

Pac-Man

Tuesday, December 27 7–8:30 p.m.

Tetris

Wednesday, December 28 7–8:30 p.m.

Space Invaders

Saturday, January 7 2–3:30 p.m.

TEEN COOKIE TASTE TEST TEEN COOKIE TASTE TEST

Monday, December 26–Saturday, December 31

Count down to the end of 2022 and taste test a variety of cookies and rank them from the tastiest to the least! Pick up your taste-test cookie pack at the Hub Desk. Quantities limited. For grades 7–12.

The Arcade Age

Closed-captioning is available for all virtual adult programs.

PLAY ARCADE GAMES IN THE LIBRARY!

Now through Sunday, January 15, 2023 / First Floor

The Arcade Age explores the history of video arcade games through exhibits and gameplay, just as they were intended to be experienced - in an arcade! Twelve games are stationed at the library for free play, including unforgettable favorites like QBert, Street Fighter 2 and Joust. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, visit ahml.info/arcade.

Arcade Trivia

Friday, December 2, 7–8 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Take a break from playing Pac-Man to dominate in Arcade Trivia! You don’t need to know every combo or secret level to play; we’ll be testing your knowledge on fun facts and the history of some of the most iconic arcade games. Play single-player or with a team. We will be using CrowdPurr for this session; a device with internet access (phone, iPad) is needed to play. After trivia, head downstairs and play the games themselves in our Arcade Age exhibit. For adults.

Video Game Character Cross Stitch

Tuesday, December 20, 7–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Bring your favorite classic video game character off the screen and onto fabric in this hands-on cross stitch workshop. Learn how cross stitch patterns are made and then try your hand at stitching. Experienced cross stitchers and beginners welcome. Supplies provided. Space is limited. Arlington Heights cardholders only. For adults.

Exhibit developed by Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Game Tournaments

December 21–January 7 / First Floor

Enjoy the retro fun of arcade tournament play. High score wins glory…and a prize! Sign-ups begin 15 minutes before listed start times. Each player will have a 10-minute run on an arcade-style cabinet. All tournaments will be held on the first floor. For ages 12 and up. Mortal Combat: Wednesday, December 21, 7–8:30 p.m. Pac-Man: Tuesday, December 27, 7–8:30 p.m. Tetris: Wednesday, December 28, 7–8:30 p.m. Space Invaders: Saturday, January 7, 2–3:30 p.m.

Arcade Cinema Double Feature

Thursday, December 29, 4-9 p.m. / Hendrickson Room

Our celebration of the history of video games wouldn’t be complete without viewing some of the best-loved sci-fi films of the era on the big screen. Enjoy fresh-popped popcorn, retro snacks and intermission to play some games.

4 p.m. The Last Starfighter (1984) A video-game wiz is recruited by a fasttalking alien to battle an evil extraterrestrial. Rotten Tomatoes critics agree its boundarypushing visual effects and lovably plucky tone make for an appealing adventure. Rated PG; 101 mins.

6-7 p.m. Intermission 7 p.m. Tron (1982) When a talented computer engineer (Jeff Bridges) finds out an executive at his company has been stealing his work, he tries to hack into the system and ends up transported into the digital world. He has to face off against the tyrannical Master Control Program and becomes a freedom fighter for the oppressed programs of the grid. Rated PG; 96 mins.

Save the Date! Arcade Age: Game Over

Sunday, January 15, noon–4 p.m. / Throughout the library

Try to beat your high score one last time at our Arcade Age closing event featuring industry experts and more. Stay tuned for the full schedule coming December 15 at ahml.info/arcade.

Experience and discover.

Closed-captioning is available for all virtual adult programs.

Making the Most of Social Security

Thursday, December 1, 7–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Renee Boyle of The Dala Group will provide details on the various filing strategies available to single individuals, married couples, divorced individuals and widows, as well as Social Security earned income limits and the taxation of benefits.

Hablemos Español (Let’s Speak Spanish)

Mondays, December 5 and 19, 6–7 p.m. Zoom

Meet other Spanish learners and speakers in your community and brush up your skills in this conversation club to improve and practice your Spanish en la Biblioteca. All levels welcome.

Sunday, December 11, 2–3 p.m. / Hendrickson Room Enjoy a holiday-themed piano performance from Mark Valenti to close out this year’s Sunday Musicale series. In addition to giving solo recitals in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, Valenti has performed in France, Belgium, Hungary and Luxembourg as well as for former First Lady Barbara Bush in Washington, D.C. and live on WFMT classical radio. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

SUNDAY MUSICALE MARK VALENTI

favorite things

Monday, December 12, 7–7:45 p.m. / Zoom Join library staff as we share our favorite books, movies and music of 2022 and discuss what we’re looking forward to in 2023. Grab your favorite beverage and meet staff who can help bulk up your to-read, watch and listen lists. Then share your own favorite things from 2022 with us in the discussion that follows.

College Knowledge: College is Possible and How to Save For It

Tuesday, December 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Cardinal Room

Learn how to help your student prepare for college and how to begin saving for it. Staff from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will discuss planning, applying for and paying for post-secondary education. Marlyn Flores, College Savings Manager at the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, will present information about Bright Start 529 College Savings to help your family save for the rising cost of college. For parents of middle school/early high school students who are thinking about college as well as those with younger children who are interested in the state’s college savings plan.

Community Blood Drive

Tuesday, December 6, noon–5 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Donate blood to Versiti Blood Center and save a life. Bring a photo ID. Appointments are strongly recommended. Any donor related questions can be directed to 1-800-7TO-GIVE.

Coloring & Cocoa

Tuesday, December 13, 1–3 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Drop in for a relaxing afternoon of coloring and cocoa (or tea!). Colored pencils and pages provided or bring your favorites. This program is designed for adults.

Experience and discover.

Dann & Raymond’s Movie Club: Geniuses of the Cinema

Thursday, December 8, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Dann Gire and Raymond Benson highlight the individuals who truly soar above all the others—directors like Chaplin, Disney, Hitchcock and Welles; actors like Lon Chaney, Katharine Hepburn, Brando and Streep. Enjoy film clips, trivia and fresh-popped popcorn as the Movie Club presents the Geniuses of Cinema. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

French Conversation Group

Tuesdays, December 13 and 27, 7–8 p.m. Zoom

Join a resident native speaker and grow your language abilities. All levels welcome.

Writer’s Ink

Wednesday, December 14, 7–9 p.m. / Zoom

Start the novel, short story or poem you always meant to write and join instructor Jacob Knabb for this facilitated meetup. All skill levels and writing styles are welcome.

Midwest Baking

Tuesday, December 13, 7–8 p.m. Zoom Cookbook author Shauna Sever will share her love of food, baking and tips to sweeten your holiday gatherings. Sever is the author of Midwest Made: Big, Bold Baking from the Heartland, named a Best Baking Cookbooks of 2019 by The New York Times. She has contributed food stories and recipes for The Wall Street Journal, Food52, Bon Appetit, The Kitchn, Real Simple, Midwest Living, Food and Wine, O Magazine, and makes regular appearances on the TODAY Show and Food Network. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.

Watch Party at the Makerplace Kitchen

Tuesday, December 13, 7–8 p.m. / Makerplace Kitchen, 112 N. Belmont Ave.

View this virtual event with fellow baking enthusiasts. Treats will be served. Space is limited for the in-person viewing.

Meditation for the Holidays

Thursday, December 15, 2–3 p.m. Hendrickson Room

The stress of the holidays can leave you exhausted. Meditation is a great way to refocus on what matters the most this holiday season. Instructor Mark Zelkowitz will lead you in practice to help you feel more present, spread joy and navigate overwhelming feelings.

Button Making Pop-Up

Saturday, December 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. First Floor

Crafters of all ages! Drop in anytime to make and package your own unique gifts! Decorate buttons with upcycled fabric, magazine clippings or old book pages, and then choose your winter-themed packaging. All materials will be provided while supplies last.

Wednesday Cinema: Elf

Wednesday, December 21, 1–2:45 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit. This modern (2003) holiday classic stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart and Mary Steenburgen. Rated PG; 97 minutes.

Creative Aging: Art with Alayne: Pomegranate

Watch the Art with Alayne class on video and do this month’s project. Then, join Alayne and fellow art students in a meet up to share your work inspired by the class, or get advice from Alayne to complete your project. Visit ahml.info/virtual_art to watch this month’s video class and register for a meet up.

Art with Alayne Meet Ups

Tuesdays, December 20 or December 27 Friday, December 30 2:30–3:30 p.m. / Zoom

Meet up registrants will be notified by email when they can pick up their Create Kits with supplies at the drive-up window. All December Meet Ups cover the same project. Register for only one. Arlington Heights cardholders only.