Past News Highlights 2006-07 :::

Local Author Presents at LT 

Approximately 60 incoming freshmen and parents attended an evening booktalk featuring Jim Kokoris,  author of The Rich Part of Life on Tuesday, June 12th  in the South Campus Library.  Students and parents enjoyed Kokoris' presentation, which included anecdotes about his career as an author as well as thoughts about teens and reading.  In addition, LT librarians Kelley Gibson and Nancy Richter, along with librarians Noel Zethmayr (LaGrange Public Library) and Samantha Farrudgia (LaGrange Park Public Library) gave booktalks for all the books on the LT READS! Freshmen booklist (see above weblink).  Drawings were held to give away ten autographed copies of The Rich Part of Life, and the evening ended on a sweet note with ice cream for all.

Final Parent Booktalk Evening

Forty parents attended the third ESP (Enrich-Support-Provide) Parent Booktalk on Tuesday, April 17th in the South Campus Library.  Superintendent Dr. Dennis Kelly entertained and informed with a booktalk on Mockingbird, by Charles Shields, which he interwove with anecdotes of his own reading experiences. In addition, LT librarian Kelley Gibson and Nancy Richter, Division Chair for Learning Resources, joined forces with Young Adult librarians Cindy Moriarity (Brookfield Public Library) and Jamie Kallio (Thomas Ford Public Library) to booktalk high-interest biographies and memoirs for young adult readers. Parents enjoyed receiving free paperback copies of the highlighted books.  ESP is a program developed by the LT librarians.Three booktalk evenings were held during the 2006-07 school year, covering fiction, nonfiction and biographies/memoirs. The program is off to an excellent start.  Look for information about next year's ESP program!

German Exchange Students Triumph Over Cubs & Sox Puzzles

The South Campus Library celebrated baseball's opening day with the annual Cubs vs. White Sox puzzle challenge.  Students are invited to help complete a jigsaw puzzle with a panoramic stadium picture for the team of their choice.  Last year, the Sox won handily.  This year, the visiting German exchange students finished both puzzles in record time!

D.C. Hosts Tech Tuesday

Another Tech Tuesday was held on April 8th, and staff had an opportunity to learn more about Working with Graphics.  Dorothy Cochran and Mary Ann Gecan showed attendees how to add flair to their memos and handouts without a lot of headaches.  The purpose of Tech Tuesdays is for staff to get assistance with frequently-asked technology problems.  Instruction is provided during the first 20 minutes of the periods.

Ding Hai!

The North and South Campus libraries celebrated Chinese New Year on February 21st by giving fortune cookies to everyone who came in that day.  In the Chinese calendar, this is 4704 - the year of the boar (or pig).  In addition to the cookies, displays of books relating to China were put on display.  Click here for a reading list about China (fiction, nonfiction, biography/memoir) or click here to find your sign !

Hot Chocolate and Good Books!

During the cold month of February, the SC Library served hot chocolate to students and faculty on both Valentine's Day (February 14th) and again on Friday, February 23rd.  The cost was 50 cents per cup. Students enjoyed adding their own toppings of marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles.  Everyone also got a Hershey kiss. In keeping with a Valentine theme, romance novels were also displayed.

Nonfiction Parent Booktalk Evening Held

Parents were entertertained and informed when the LTHS library hosted the second ESP Parent Booktalk evening on Thursday, January 25th.  Principal Dave Franson was the celebrity reader, lending both humor and wisdom to the topic of engaging reluctant teen readers.  Young adult librarians Cindy Moriarity (Bookfield Public Library), Noel Zethmeyr (LaGrange Public Library), and Samantha Farrugdia (LaGrange Park Public Library) also joined in with LTHS librarians Nancy Richter and Kelley Gibson.  Sixteen nonfiction books were highlighted, and multiple free paperback copies were given away.  Mark your calendar for the next parent booktalk scheduled for Tuesday, April 17th from 7-8 p.m. at the SC Library.  All LT parents are invited!

Library Hosts Program

Mr. Mike Ettleson, President of Ettleson Auto Group, gave a special presentation on "What to Know When You Get Your First Car"  in the South Campus Library after school on Thursday, December 14th.  Students enjoyed refreshments, give-aways, and a prize drawing for a $10 Borders gift certificate.  The program was part of the ESP (Enrich-Support-Provide) program.  Books and magazines relating to cars were also displayed.

Holiday Write Night

 

This year's Holiday Write Night was the best ever!  Over 450 children attended with their parents, and almost 300 LT student volunteers assisted.  Activities included writing letters to Santa, creating holiday cards, face painting and much more. LT's mascots Noil and Nessie were on hand, and entertainment was provided by LT student musicians and jugglers.  Everyone enjoyed the delicious punch and cookies from the Chef's Club.

Parent Evening Booktalks Feature Paperback Give-aways!

The first of three parent booktalks was held on Monday, October 23  at the South Campus Library. Twelve fiction books were presented to a group of over 45 parents by LT and community librarians. Free paperbacks of the featured books were given to parents, and a prize drawing was held for a gift certificate to Borders Bookstore. Future booktalks will be held on Thursday, January 25  and Tuesday, April 17.  Both will be at South Campus Library from 7-8 p.m.   

Teen Read Week 2007

"Get Active" was the theme for the 2007 Teen Read Week.  Students were encouraged to get active through hobbies like skateboarding, as well as by being active with pets.  Mr. Bruce Sirchio, owner of totally Board spoke to students in the SC Library after school on October 17.  He provided gift certificates to his skateboard shop, and there was a drawing for a gift certificate to Borders.  In addition, a contest was held for the funnies pet story.  It was very hard to select form all the cute stories.  The winners received a stuffed cat and a stuffed dog. Awwww...... 

 

Come See Our New Look!

Broadway isn't the only place where neon lights shine brightly these days. The North Campus Library now has its own neon sign inviting students and staff to cozy up in a comfy chair and READ! The sign is just one of the additions and improvements made to the library over summer. New carpeting and a fresh coat of paint help create a warm and welcoming environment for students needing to finish homework, access online databases, or simply thumb through a favorite magazine.  "It's a very mellow environment." said senior Ramon Valenzuela.  "It's easy to get lost in my studies."  Senior Laura Gwizdala commented that, "The neon sign adds a cute pizzaz to the library and makes me want to read so bad!" 

 

SC Library Launches ESP

ESP (Enrich-Support-Provide) is an innovative program developed by the SC Library to provide reading enrichment for reluctant readers, as well increase parent involvement in reading. Four high-interest after school presentations will be planned for students during the school year. Each will involve reading tie-ins. Three evenings of booktalks will be presented to parents by LT and community librarians in order to introduce parents to good young adult literature. Free paperbacks will be given to parents.  Prize drawings will be held at all students and parent events.