Arlington Heights Memorial Library

10/21/2026

Here’s a shout out to our Info Services team! ❤️ From answering reference questions to putting together book recommendations, library resources and more, we wouldn’t be without you.

10/15/2026

We're looking for volunteers! Current opportunities include English as a Second Language Tutor, iOS/Apple or Android Class Coach and iOS/Apple or Android Class Instructor.

ESL tutors meet one-on-one with an adult learner at the library to help them improve their conversational English skills. Volunteers do not need to speak another language or have prior teaching experience.

iOS/Apple and Android classes at the Senior Center are small by design with only 4-6 students. Instructors set up and manage the classroom while delivering the course with materials developed by library staff, and coaches assist the instructor.

Learn more: https://www.ahml.info/volunteer.

10/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Tech Fair over the weekend! 🤖✨

More than 300 people came out for hands-on activities, demonstrations and opportunities to explore new technology. It was so much fun welcoming everyone back for our first Tech Fair since 2019!

This program was presented as part of One Book, One Village. Learn more at https://www.ahml.info/one-book.

10/09/2026

The library visited Forest View’s Adult Education English language learners to share all things One Book, One Village! Students learned about upcoming OBOV events, activities and ESL book discussion opportunities.

We also joined the fun at Harmony Fest, where more than 350 people stopped by our booth to learn about Culpability. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! 📚✨

Join us this Saturday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Autumn Harvest at North School Park! Stop by for giveaways, family-friendly activities, and a chance to check out this year's featured One Book, One Village selection, Culpability by Bruce Holsinger. Learn more about the author visit and the exciting OBOV programs planned for this fall at ahml.info/one-book.

10/08/2026

On Sunday, September 27, the library welcomed nearly 300 community members to the Makerplace for a celebration marking both the Makerplace’s 5th anniversary and the library’s 100th birthday.

Attendees stopped throughout the day and explored the free opportunities available, including using the latest technology, along with flexible workspaces and a commercial-grade kitchen. The library’s own Chef Brian provided live demos featuring Makerplace equipment while he taught the community about the resources offered at the library branch.

The celebration also featured remarks from Executive Director Mike Driskell, who reflected on the library’s century-long history and the transformation of the building that now houses the Makerplace.

“I’m pretty sure people walking through these doors 70 years ago never would have imagined someday using the same building to come here to use a laser cutter,” said Driskell.

While enjoying demonstrations, attendees sampled cake pops provided by Soha's Sweet Treats and participated in a variety of hands-on activities including decorating a Manny piñata (the Makerplace’s unofficial robot mascot), embroidering cork coasters, making anniversary buttons and laser engraving bookmarks to take home.

The event’s location served as a reminder of the library’s long history. The building at 112 N. Belmont Avenue was dedicated in 1952 as the newly built 8,000-square-foot Memorial Library. More than seven decades later, the same building has been transformed into the Makerplace, while the words “Memorial Library” still remain above the main entrance.

For Driskell, the Makerplace was a fitting place to conclude the library's centennial celebration.

“I think it’s appropriate that we are ending the celebration here. Not only the place that reminds us of our past, but in a place that provides new opportunities for innovation, creativity and education.”

Read more: https://www.ahml.info/node/100021151

10/08/2026

“At its heart, ‘Culpability’ asks what it truly means to be responsible for one another in an era of instant judgment ... It invites readers to grapple with empathy, accountability and the possibility of healing. Reading and discussing this novel together offers a powerful opportunity for our community to reflect on how we listen, how we respond under pressure and how we might move forward with greater understanding.”

For 13 years, librarians at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library have picked a book and asked the community to read and discuss it together. Their One Book, One Village choice this year — a novel ...

10/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Candidate Forum at the library this weekend! Community members had the opportunity to take part in a live, nonpartisan forum featuring candidates in upcoming local races, helping voters stay informed ahead of the election.

Special thanks to League of Women Voters - Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, & Buffalo Grove for partnering with us to make this event possible.

Missed it? The recording is now available on the League of Women Voters YouTube page. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/-ah-mp-bg839

10/04/2026

October 4-10 is Banned Books Week! This week is organized annually by the American Library Association and the Banned Books Week Coalition and is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of censorship and to celebrate the freedom to read.

Banned Books Week is also an opportunity for libraries to ensure their community is represented through access to meaningful materials. Click here to check out our booklist of staff-curated titles: https://ahml.info/list/let-books-be-protect-freedom-read

10/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello at the Arlington Heights Farmers Market over the weekend!

We had so much fun talking with the community about the 2026 One Book, One Village selection, Culpability by Bruce Holsinger. Community members had the chance to learn more about One Book, One Village, pick up giveaways and even check out the book using their library card right at the Farmers Market.

Catch us out in the community again tomorrow, Friday, October 2, at Harmony Fest in downtown Arlington Heights from 5-8 p.m. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4iWaPT0

10/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Library's Centennial Celebration and Makerplace Anniversary Party this weekend! 🎉

A special thank you to Soha's Sweet Treats for the delicious cake pops, and to everyone who stopped by to enjoy the treats, demonstrations and crafts. We had so much fun celebrating with our community!

Stay tuned for photos coming soon. To learn more about our centennial celebration, visit ahml.info/100.