Teens

Meet up or try something new.

Practice SAT Exam

Saturday, January 14, noon–4:30 p.m. / Hendrickson Room

Take a shot at the SAT at this practice exam. Get your results that day! Plus, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the library’s resources to help you do your very best on the test. For high school students only.

Practice ACT Exam

Saturday, January 28, noon–4:30 p.m. / Hendrickson Room

Take a shot at the ACT at this practice exam. Get your results that day! Plus, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the library’s resources to help you do your very best on the test. For high school students only.

Friday Flicks

Fridays, 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.

Space Invaders Game Tournament

Saturday, January 7, 2–3:30 p.m. / 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. For ages 12 and up.

Teen Advisory Board

Sundays, 1–2:30 p.m. January 8 / Cardinal Room February 5 / 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.

Experience and discover.

Closed-captioning is available for all virtual adult programs.

Hy e with Us

Challenge yourself to slow down and relax this winter with our “Hygge with Us” Challenge. Hygge, pronounced “HUU-gah,” is a Danish word that means a quality of coziness and comfort that brings a feeling of contentment and wellbeing. As a bonus, when you sign up for this challenge you can pick up one of our Hygge kits. Our kits—Cozy and Comforting–include warm fuzzy socks, assortment of teas, succulents and other special gifts. Starting January 2, register at ahml.beanstack.org to join in and earn online badges. Each badge contains Hygge related activities-complete one activity per badge to finish the challenge and be entered in the raffle for a grand prize. Open to library cardholders only, 18 years and older. Hygge kits available at the Info Desk while supplies last.

The Arcade Age

Space Invaders Game Tournament

Saturday, January 7, 2–3:30 p.m. / 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. For ages 12 and up. Arcade Age

Pinball Night

Wednesday, January 4, 7–8:30 p.m.

Arlington Ale House, 111 W Campbell St.

Are you a pinball wizard? Join us at Arlington Ale House for a night of pinball and arcade nostalgia. This event is limited to adults aged 21+. Drinks will be available for purchase. This program is presented as part of The Arcade Age exhibit. Learn more at ahml.info/arcade.

GAME OVER

Sunday, January 15 1–4 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. Learn more at ahml.info/arcade. Registration recommended.

Parlons Français (Let’s Speak French)

Tuesdays, January 10 and 24, 7–8 p.m. Zoom

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

Writer’s Ink

Wednesday, January 11, 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.

Dann & Raymond’s Movie Club: The Great Courtroom Movies

Thursday, January 12, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Legal dramas (and comedies) are indeed a sub-genre in the world of cinema, and some of them turned out to be exceptional works of art. The Caine Mutiny, 12 Angry Men, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Verdict are just a few of the titles for which Dann Gire and Raymond Benson will hold a special hearing to present the legal briefs of the facts and evidence that justify their selections of favorite courtroom movies. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

Experience and discover.

favorite things

Favorite Things: Hot Reads on Cold Nights

Monday, January 16, 7–7:45 p.m. / Zoom

Join library staff as their share theirt hottest recommendations to read and watch on a cold winter’s night. Grab your favorite hot beverage, snuggle under a blanket by the fire and meet staff who can help bulk up your to-read and watch lists. Then share your own favorite titles in the discussion that follows.

Hablemos Español (Let’s Speak Spanish)

Monday, January 16, 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.

Your Money: Financial Forecast 2023

Thursday, January 19, 7–8:30 p.m. Cardinal Room

John Daly, Certified Financial Planner and President of Daly Investment Management, will kick off 2023 with a review of the past year in the economy and market environment, a snapshot of where we are now and a forecast from well-known economists and financial analysts for the next six to 12 months.

Inciting Joy with Ross Gay

Wednesday, January 11, 7–8 p.m. / Zoom

Kick off your new year with a conversation about joy with bestselling essayist and award-winning poet Ross Gay, who will discuss his most recent collection of essays, Inciting Joy, with performance poet Dan “Sully” Sullivan. Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award, the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. His first collection of essays, The Book of Delights, was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller.

Dan “Sully” Sullivan is a three-time Chicago Poetry Slam Champion. His poems and performances have been featured on HBO Def Poetry Jam, WGN Morning News and National Public Radio. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.

Easiest Houseplants Ever,

Easiest Houseplants Ever, with Style

Monday, January 23, 7–8:30 p.m. Zoom and Hendrickson Room

with Style

Author and gardener Tovah Martin has got you covered with recommendations for plants for sunny windows or shady sills, whether your home is Sahara dry or comfortably spa-like. Find botanical companions, get design ideas for indoor gardens and tips for care and cultivation. Register now to view the event on Zoom, from any location. Register January 2 to attend the in-person watch party and houseplant swap in Hendrickson Room. Presented in partnership with Arlington Heights Garden Club.

Wider Lens: The Loyola Project

Saturday, January 21, 1–3:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

In 1963, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the Loyola Ramblers of Chicago broke racial barriers and changed college basketball forever. Nearly 60 years later, this legendary team is reexamined by Loyola basketball player and co-captain Lucas Williamson. With archival footage and modern-day interviews, this captivating story continues to provide inspiration in the fight for equality. Join us to celebrate this historic moment in college sports history with a film screening and discussion. Rated NR, 88 minutes.

Sunday Musicale: Bel Sonore Chamber Ensemble

Sunday, January 22, 2–3 p.m. Hendrickson Room

This woodwind trio (flute, oboe and bassoon) with soprano voice, performs an eclectic repertoire ranging from Italian Baroque arias to jazz standards. They have performed to wide acclaim at countless venues in the Chicagoland region as well as in New York City. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.

Meditation for the New Year

Monday, January 23, 2–3 p.m. / Hendrickson Room

A new year brings a fresh start. This meditation is designed to center you and be present in the New Year with more hope, confidence and a determination to do good. Learn how to calm both mind and body through the practices of meditation and mindfulness with instructor Mark Zelkowitz. Explore proven methods to increase self-awareness and improve concentration in a relaxed and supportive environment

Creative Aging: Art with Alayne

Watch the Art with Alayne Snowflake 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, January 24 or 31 or Friday, January 27 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 January Meet Ups cover the same project. Register for only one. Arlington Heights cardholders only.

Wednesday Cinema: Under the Tuscan Sun

Wednesday, January 25, 1–3 p.m. Hendrickson Room

While on vacation, a just-divorced writer (Diane Lane) buys a villa in Tuscany on a whim, hoping it will be the start of a change for the better in her life. Along the way she finds that sometimes what seems like a mistake is really a blessing. The screenplay was adapted from the memoir by Frances Mayes. Rated PG-13, 112 minutes.

BINGO Night

Friday, January 27, 7–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Bring your good luck charms because there will be prizes. Bingo cards and daubers provided. Ages 18+. Register with up to one friend. Space is limited.

In this two-part series, discuss the challenges of and learn strategies for family conversations about taboo topics like aging, medical illness, money and end-of-life wishes.

Book Discussion

Wednesday, January 25, 7:30–8:30 p.m. / Hendrickson Room

In this session, discuss cartoonist Roz Chast’s prize-winning graphic memoir that brings her signature wit to the topic of aging parents. Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? spans the last eight years of her parents’ lives, told through cartoons in a narrative as rife with laughs as it is with tears. Debra Torres, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, will facilitate the discussion.

Interactive Lecture: Navigating Family Dynamics

Wednesday, February 1, 7:30–8:30 p.m. / Hendrickson Room

Join Debra Torres for an interactive presentation on how to approach family conversations around challenging subjects such as illness, end-of-life options and aging with dignity. Torres has more than 30 years experience in a variety of settings and has dedicated her career to facilitating people’s final wishes and helping them navigate the end of life graciously. Register for each session individually. Book discussion registrants will be contacted to arrange pick up of a copy of the book.

Tuesday January 24 7–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Need a little inspiration for your reading list in the new year? Join us for an interactive evening as we share what books we are excited about in 2023. Advisors will be available to help you discover new genres and new ways to find your next favorite book. Share your own favorite reads, enjoy refreshments and a book raffle, and leave with a refreshed to-read list.

This year we welcome Donna Seaman to join us. She is the editor for the Adult Books section in Booklist. Seaman has won awards for literary criticism, the Studs

Terkel Humanities Service Award, and is an adjunct professor for Northwestern University’s MA in Writing and MFA in Prose and Poetry Programs. Seaman’s author interviews are collected in Writers on the Air and she is the author of Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven American Women Artists.

new series

CLASSIC MOVIE MONDAY

In the Heat of the Night

Monday, February 6, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Hendrickson Room

Black police detective Virgil Tibbs from Philadelphia becomes embroiled in a murder case and forges an uneasy alliance with a bigoted Southern sheriff after a wealthy Chicago businessman is murdered in a small Mississippi town. This 1967 film won five Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and spawned two sequels and a TV-drama. Starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger and directed by Norman Jewison. In the Heat of the Night is one of the most enduring Hollywood films of the civil rights era. Rated PG-13, 109 minutes.