One Book, One Community

HOLIDAY HOURS TABLE
Date	Hours	Holiday Message	Reason
1/1	0-0	All Library locations are closed Friday, Jan. 1.	New Year's Day 27
3/6	0-0	All Library locations are Closed for Staff In-Service Day on Friday, March 6.	Inservice day
4/5	0-0	All Library locations are closed Sunday, April 5.	Easter
5/24	0-0	All Library locations, including Central Parking Lot and Book Drops, are closed Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.	Memorial Day Eve
5/25	0-0	All Library locations, including Central Parking Lot and Book Drops, are closed Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.	Memorial Day
7/4	0-0	All Library locations will be closed Saturday, July 4.	Independence Day
9/6	0-0	All Library locations are closed Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.	Labor Day Eve
9/7	0-0	All Library locations are closed Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.	Labor Day
11/25	0-17	All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Thursday, Nov. 26.	Thanksgiving Eve
11/26	0-0	All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Thursday, Nov. 26.	Thanksgiving
12/24	0-0	All Library locations are closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25.	Christmas Eve
12/25	0-0	All Library locations are closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25.	Christmas Day
12/31	0-0	All Library locations are closed Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1.	New Year's Eve

HOLIDAY HOURS TABLE

Date

Hours

Holiday Message

Reason

1/1

0-0

All Library locations are closed Friday, Jan. 1.

New Year's Day 27

3/6

0-0

All Library locations are Closed for Staff In-Service Day on Friday, March 6.

Inservice day

4/5

0-0

All Library locations are closed Sunday, April 5.

Easter

5/24

0-0

All Library locations, including Central Parking Lot and Book Drops, are closed Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.

Memorial Day Eve

5/25

0-0

All Library locations, including Central Parking Lot and Book Drops, are closed Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.

Memorial Day

7/4

0-0

All Library locations will be closed Saturday, July 4.

Independence Day

9/6

0-0

All Library locations are closed Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.

Labor Day Eve

9/7

0-0

All Library locations are closed Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.

Labor Day

11/25

0-17

All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Thursday, Nov. 26.

Thanksgiving Eve

11/26

0-0

All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Thursday, Nov. 26.

Thanksgiving

12/24

0-0

All Library locations are closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25.

Christmas Eve

12/25

0-0

All Library locations are closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25.

Christmas Day

12/31

0-0

All Library locations are closed Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1.

New Year's Eve

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS TABLE
Date	Hours	Emergency Message	Location
0/0	9-17	Due to inclement weather, all Library locations closed at 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 12.	every
0/0	0-0	Due to inclement weather, all Library locations are closed on Friday, Jan. 12, and will be opening late Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m.	every
0/0	0-0	All Library locations are closed for the rest of the day today, Tuesday, Sept. 12, due to an unforeseen emergency.	every
0/0	0-0	Our Central Library is closed for the rest of the day today, Tuesday, Sept. 12, due to an unforeseen emergency.<br>Our Hanover Park and Hoffman Estates Branches will remain open for regular hours.	central
6/24	0-0	Hanover Park Branch is closed due to a power outage.	hanover
0/0	0-0	Hanover Park Branch will be closed Nov. 13-15 for scheduled repairs.	hanover
0/0	0-0	Hanover Park Branch will be closed Nov. 13-15 for scheduled repairs.	hanover
0/0	0-0	The Hanover Park Branch is closed on Friday, Feb. 24 due to a power outage.	hanover
0/0	0-0	The Hoffman Estates Branch is closed.	hoffman
0/0	13-9	Hoffman Estates Branch opens late on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m., due to building maintenance.	hoffman
0/0	0-0	Due to inclement weather, all Library locations closed at 12:30 p.m. today, Nov 29.	every

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS TABLE

Date

Hours

Emergency Message

Location

0/0

9-17

Due to inclement weather, all Library locations closed at 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, Feb. 12.

every

0/0

0-0

Due to inclement weather, all Library locations are closed on Friday, Jan. 12, and will be opening late Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m.

every

0/0

0-0

All Library locations are closed for the rest of the day today, Tuesday, Sept. 12, due to an unforeseen emergency.

every

0/0

0-0

Our Central Library is closed for the rest of the day today, Tuesday, Sept. 12, due to an unforeseen emergency.<br>Our Hanover Park and Hoffman Estates Branches will remain open for regular hours.

central

6/24

0-0

Hanover Park Branch is closed due to a power outage.

hanover

0/0

0-0

Hanover Park Branch will be closed Nov. 13-15 for scheduled repairs.

hanover

0/0

0-0

Hanover Park Branch will be closed Nov. 13-15 for scheduled repairs.

hanover

0/0

0-0

The Hanover Park Branch is closed on Friday, Feb. 24 due to a power outage.

hanover

0/0

0-0

The Hoffman Estates Branch is closed.

hoffman

0/0

13-9

Hoffman Estates Branch opens late on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m., due to building maintenance.

hoffman

0/0

0-0

Due to inclement weather, all Library locations closed at 12:30 p.m. today, Nov 29.

every

GENERAL NOTICES TABLE
Date	Hours	General Message	Reason
0/0	0-0	Central Library elevators are both temporarily out of order.	elevator
0/0	0-0	Due to transitioning to a new catalog, Library account access is unavailable from Sunday, March 9, through Tuesday, March 18.	ILS
0/0	0-0	Please be advised that the public elevator will be out of service on Thursday, Mar. 28 and Friday, Mar. 29. Feel free to call the Library with any questions.	Elevator
0/0	0-0	Due to inclement weather, all Library locations are closed on Friday, Jan. 12, and will be opening late Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m.	Snow Warning
0/0	0-0	Due to the weather, the Town Square Concert is rescheduled for Tuesday, July 28 from 6:45-8:15 p.m.	Concert Rain
0/0	0-0	Hoffman Estates Branch opens late on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m., due to building maintenance.	Repairs Warning
0/0	0-0	For the latest updates and information about tonight's event, please call our hotline at <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3399">(847) 923-3399</a>.	Concert
0/0	0-0	Central Parking Lot Closed Monday, Sept. 1, for repaving. Drive-up book drop not available.	Paving
0/0	0-0	The East entrance ramp will be closed periodically for repairs this week.	Ramp
0/0	0-0	All Library locations are Closed for Staff In-Service Day on Friday, March 6.	InService Early
0/0	0-0	On Tuesday, June 30, the library catalog and some services will be temporarily unavailable. <a style="color:white" href="/about/news/upgrade">See here for full details.</a>	ILS
0/0	0-0	The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.	LOCKERS
0/0	0-0	The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.	LOCKERS
0/0	0-0	The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.	LOCKERS
0/0	0-0	The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.	LOCKERS
0/0	0-0	Elevator temporarily unavailable until further notice.	Elevator
0/0	0-0	The phones are currently not working at the Hanover Park Branch. Please call 847-985-4000 for assistance.	Custom
0/0	0-0	Homepage access will be unavailable on the morning of Monday, Apr. 20, due to system upgrades.	ILS Upgrade
10/12	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Columbus Day
11/27	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Day after Thanksgiving
1/19	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2/16	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Presidents Day
0/0	0-0	Due to the heat advisory, tonight's Town Square Event has been moved to inside the Central Library.	Town Square

GENERAL NOTICES TABLE

Date

Hours

General Message

Reason

0/0

0-0

Central Library elevators are both temporarily out of order.

elevator

0/0

0-0

Due to transitioning to a new catalog, Library account access is unavailable from Sunday, March 9, through Tuesday, March 18.

ILS

0/0

0-0

Please be advised that the public elevator will be out of service on Thursday, Mar. 28 and Friday, Mar. 29. Feel free to call the Library with any questions.

Elevator

0/0

0-0

Due to inclement weather, all Library locations are closed on Friday, Jan. 12, and will be opening late Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m.

Snow Warning

0/0

0-0

Due to the weather, the Town Square Concert is rescheduled for Tuesday, July 28 from 6:45-8:15 p.m.

Concert Rain

0/0

0-0

Hoffman Estates Branch opens late on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m., due to building maintenance.

Repairs Warning

0/0

0-0

For the latest updates and information about tonight's event, please call our hotline at <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3399">(847) 923-3399</a>.

Concert

0/0

0-0

Central Parking Lot Closed Monday, Sept. 1, for repaving. Drive-up book drop not available.

Paving

0/0

0-0

The East entrance ramp will be closed periodically for repairs this week.

Ramp

0/0

0-0

All Library locations are Closed for Staff In-Service Day on Friday, March 6.

InService Early

0/0

0-0

On Tuesday, June 30, the library catalog and some services will be temporarily unavailable. <a style="color:white" href="/about/news/upgrade">See here for full details.</a>

ILS

0/0

0-0

The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.

LOCKERS

0/0

0-0

The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.

LOCKERS

0/0

0-0

The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.

LOCKERS

0/0

0-0

The Hold Lockers at Central are temporarily out of order. Questions about your hold? Call <a style="color:white;" href="tel:1-847-923-3160">847-923-3160</a>.

LOCKERS

0/0

0-0

Elevator temporarily unavailable until further notice.

Elevator

0/0

0-0

The phones are currently not working at the Hanover Park Branch. Please call 847-985-4000 for assistance.

Custom

0/0

0-0

Homepage access will be unavailable on the morning of Monday, Apr. 20, due to system upgrades.

ILS Upgrade

10/12

0-0

All Library locations are open today.

Columbus Day

11/27

0-0

All Library locations are open today.

Day after Thanksgiving

1/19

0-0

All Library locations are open today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2/16

0-0

All Library locations are open today.

Presidents Day

0/0

0-0

Due to the heat advisory, tonight's Town Square Event has been moved to inside the Central Library.

Town Square

Read the book. Join the conversation. It’s that simple!

One Book, One Community is a time for everyone to come together through reading, sparking conversations with family, friends and neighbors. With books for all age groups, it’s a reading experience the whole community can share.

Reserve your spot for an in-person event with author Ariel Lawhon.
Sunday, Feb. 28 • 1-3 p.m. • Al Larson Cultural Center

About The Pirate Queen

A historical fiction novel inspired by the 16th-century Irish heroine Grace O’Malley. Defying family expectations and a forced marriage to a brutal warrior, Grace returns to the sea and builds her own fleet. As she battles English forces, she rises to power in a male-dominated world. The story blends adventure, rebellion, and resilience against the backdrop of Ireland during a turbulent era.

Learn more about author Ariel Lawhon

Reserve your copy of The Pirate Queen today.

Looking to lead a discussion? Check out this book discussion guide.

One Book, One Community Books for Young Readers

Your whole family can read with us this winter. We’ve selected a picture book, a tween novel, and a young adult novel with similar themes to The Pirate Queen so your kids can be a part of the conversation.

Honeybird Blue by Taunya English – a picture book recommended for ages 5-8
The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly – a novel recommended for ages 9-12
Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin – a novel recommended for ages 13-19

Meet the Author Ariel Lawhon

Sunday, Feb. 28 • 1–3 p.m. • Al Larson Cultural Center

Celebrate the power of story with Ariel Lawhon, the acclaimed author of The Pirate Queen and other bestselling historical novels. We’re thrilled to welcome her live and in person for a special afternoon of conversation about her writing life, the fascinating historical figures who inspire her work, and the research that brings the past vividly to life.

After the discussion, books will be available for purchase and signing from Between the Lynes Bookstore. Arrive early at 12:30 p.m. to enjoy light refreshments and settle in before the program begins.

Can’t attend in person? Tune in to the livestream at YouTube.com/@SchaumLib.

Do you have a question for Ariel? Feel free to take a moment and submit your questions before the event.

Bundle Up With Books: Winter Reading Challenge Kickoff

Sunday, Dec. 6 • 10:30-12 p.m. • Central Rasmussen

Stop by and kick off Bundle Up With Books: Winter Reading Challenge. Sign up for the challenge and receive a ticket for a free One Book, One Community title, while supplies last, making it a great way to start your winter reading.

Choose from our featured titles: Honeybird Blue by Taunya English [ages 5–8], The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly [ages 9–12], Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire by Don Martin [ages 13–19], or The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon [adult].

Already signed up for our Winter Reading Challenge? Just show us your registration to receive your ticket for a free One Book title.

Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers Exhibit

December 1 through February 28 • Central Library • All Ages

Ahoy! Explore the fascinating world of pirates in this traveling exhibition from the South Carolina State Museum. Separate fact from fiction as you discover the real history behind these legendary figures of the seas and learn about piracy, past and present. In celebration of our One Book, One Community selection, The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon, the exhibit features Grace O’Malley, the legendary 16th-century Irish pirate queen who inspired the novel.

Talk About it

Join the conversation. Register for any of our One Book, One Community book discussions to talk about The Pirate Queen with others in the community.

Book Discussions: The Pirate Queen

Monday, Jan. 4 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Central Rasmussen North

Wednesday, Jan. 6 • 7-8 p.m. • Central Adult Classroom

Tuesday, Jan. 19 • 10-11 a.m. • Central Rasmussen South

Thursday, Jan. 21 • 7-8 p.m. • Central Workshop

Tuesday, Jan. 26 • 10-11 a.m. • Hanover Park Branch

Tuesday, Feb. 9 • 7-8 p.m. • Hoffman Estates Branch

Attend a Program

Extend your One Book, One Community experience with these related programs.

All Ages

A Night to READmember
Wednesday, Jan. 13 • 6-7:30 p.m. • Central
Bundle up with a good book and read alongside your community as part of our Winter Challenge. Bring your current read or explore a One Book, One Community title as we try to beat our community reading record!

Youth Programs

Book Explorers: Honeybird Blue
Friday, Jan. 8 • 4-5 p.m. • Central Craft Room • Grades K-3
Join us as we read and discuss Honeybird Blue by Taunya English.

Teen Programs

Relax and Read: Teen Silent Book Club
Friday, Feb. 12 • 4:30-6 p.m. • Central Program Room • Grades 7-12
Bring your current read and unwind with cozy snacks, a craft and quiet reading time at Teen Silent Book Club. This month, you can also join an optional discussion of our Teen One Book, One Community title, Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire.

An Afternoon with Cozy Fantasy Author Don Martin
Saturday, Feb. 20 • 1-2:30 p.m. • Central Rasmussen Room OR Online • Grades 7-12 AND Adults
Join bestselling author Don Martin for a conversation about his writing journey, creative process and the inspiration behind Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire, our Teen One Book, One Community title. Stay for a Q&A and book signing with the author.

Adult Programs

Fiction and History in The Pirate Queen
Tuesday, Dec. 29 • 7-8 p.m. • Central Rasmussen OR Online
How do we separate fact from fiction when learning about the past through historical fiction? Historian Shereen Ilahi explores The Pirate Queen, the legendary Grace O’Malley and the lives of women in 16th-century Ireland.

Pirates of the Great Lakes
Tuesday, Jan. 12 • 6-7 p.m. • Rasmussen North OR Online
We commonly hear about pirates on the high seas, but what about the ones on our Great Lakes? Sam Prestigiacomo chronicles the deeds and misdeeds of the pirates that sailed closer to our own area.

The Golden Age of Piracy and Grace O'Malley's Legacy
Tuesday, Jan. 19 • 7-8 p.m. • Online
Wil Moser of the Whydah Pirate Museum explores the world of piracy from the 1650s to the 1730s. Discover how Grace O’Malley’s legacy continued to influence piracy long after her lifetime.

Talk Like a Pirate Queen: Irish Language Workshop
Thursday, Jan. 21 • 7-8:30 p.m. • Rasmussen Room
Explore the Irish language, its history and simple conversation with Karen Reshkin of Na Gaeil Chicago. Learn basic vocabulary and pronunciation, plus a song featuring Gráinne Mhaol (Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen).

Check out these Read-Alike titles below

Past selections from One Book, One Community

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

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One Book, One Community

Read the book. Join the conversation. It’s that simple!

About The Pirate Queen

One Book, One Community Books for Young Readers

Meet the Author Ariel Lawhon

Bundle Up With Books: Winter Reading Challenge Kickoff

Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers Exhibit

Talk About it

Attend a Program

All Ages

Youth Programs

Teen Programs

Adult Programs

Check out these Read-Alike titles below

Past selections from One Book, One Community