One Book, One Community

HOLIDAY HOURS TABLE
Date	Hours	Holiday Message	Reason
1/1	0-0	All Library locations are closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.	New Year's Day
3/14	0-0	All Library locations are Closed for Staff In-Service Day on Friday, March 14.	Inservice day
4/20	0-0	All Library locations are closed Sunday, April 20.	Easter
5/26	0-0	All Library locations are closed Monday, May 26.	Memorial Day
7/4	0-0	All Library locations will be closed Friday, July 4.	Independence Day
9/1	0-0	All Library locations are closed Monday, Sept. 1.	Labor Day
11/26	0-17	All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 through Thursday, Nov. 27.	Thanksgiving Eve
11/27	0-0	All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 through Thursday, Nov. 27.	Thanksgiving
12/24	0-0	All Library locations are closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 25.	Christmas Eve
12/25	0-0	All Library locations are closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 25.	Christmas Day
12/31	0-17	All Library locations are closed from 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 through Wednesday, 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
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	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

GENERAL NOTICES TABLE
Date	Hours	General Message	Reason
0/0	0-0	All Library locations are Closed for Staff In-Service Day on Friday, March 14.	staff
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 16.	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	The East entrance ramp will be closed periodically for repairs this week.	Ramp
0/0	0-0	On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the library catalog and some services will be temporarily unavailable. <a style="color:white" href="/about/news/upgrade">See here for full details.</a>	Ramp
0/0	0-0	On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the library catalog and some services will be temporarily unavailable. <a style="color:white" href="/about/news/upgrade">See here for full details.</a>	Ramp
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	Account access will be unavailable on the evening of Friday, Oct. 20, due to system upgrades.	ILS Upgrade
0/0	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Columbus Day
11/28	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Day after Thanksgiving
1/20	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2/17	0-0	All Library locations are open today.	Presidents Day

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

One Book, One Community is a time for everyone to come together and read the same book, sparking conversations about the themes inside. It’s a new way to bring us all together to discuss feminism, friendship, belonging, and identity.

Learn more about The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

Learn more about author Kate Quinn

Reserve your spot for an in-person event with author Kate Quinn.
Sunday, Feb. 15 • 1-3 p.m. • Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts

About The Briar Club

The Briar Club by New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn, takes readers to Washington, D.C., in the 1950s, where secrets lurk behind every door. At Briarwood House, a boarding home for women, a vibrant mix of residents—each chasing dreams or hiding pasts—forms an unlikely community. When tensions rise and loyalties are tested, the women discover that friendship and resilience can be just as powerful as the dangers closing in around them. With her signature blend of suspense, richly drawn characters, and historical detail, Quinn delivers a page-turning story of courage, connection, and the mysteries that bind us together.

Reserve your copy of The Briar Club today.

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 graphic novel with similar themes to The Briar Club so your kids can be a part of the conversation.

Seoul Food by Erin Danielle Russell – a picture book recommended for ages 5-8
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee – a novel recommended for ages 9-12
Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout – a graphic novel recommended for ages 13-19

Meet the Author Kate Quinn

Sunday, Feb. 15 • 1–3 p.m. • Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts

Celebrate the power of story with Kate Quinn, the acclaimed author of The Briar Club 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 women who inspire her characters, and the research that brings her stories vividly to life.

After the discussion, books will be available for purchase and signing. 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.

Have a question for Kate? Feel free to take a moment and submit your questions before the event: https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/form/ask-the-author

Kick Off Event

Saturday, Jan. 4 • 1-3 p.m. • Central Commons

Kick off our community-wide read with snacks, crafts, giveaways, and more fun for all ages.

Each attendee receives one ticket at the door, which can be exchanged for one free book (choose from our featured titles: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn [adult], Song of a Blackbird by Marie Van Lieshout [teen], Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee [chapter book], or Seoul Food by Erin Russell [picture book]. Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

The Cold War Exhibit

January 5 through February 15 • Central Library • All Ages

On loan from The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, this exhibit showcases the Cold War as a global power struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union: capitalism versus communism, freedom versus control. Rather than fighting directly, the two nations waged their battle through propaganda, espionage, nuclear buildup, and proxy wars that divided the world for decades.

This atmosphere of tension and secrecy forms the heartbeat of Kate Quinn’s The Briar Club. Set amid the fear and suspicion of the era, Quinn’s novel reveals how ordinary Americans, especially women, were caught in webs of hidden agendas, fragile trust, and quiet acts of courage.

Community Recipe Book

As part of this year’s One Book, One Community selection, The Briar Club by Kate Quinn, we’re celebrating the novel’s spirit of food and connection. The book features recipes woven into its pages, and now we’d love to feature yours!

We invite community members to share their favorite family recipes with us. Submissions will be gathered into a special Community Recipe Book, highlighting the tastes and traditions that unite us. When we get enough recipes to make a book, we will make them available for patrons to pick up and enjoy.

Bring your family’s table to our community’s table, submit your recipe today!

Talk About it

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

Beyond the Book: The Briar Club

Thursday, Jan. 15 • 7-8 p.m. • Central Workshop

Tuesday, Jan. 20 • 10-11 a.m. • Central Rasmussen South

Tuesday, Jan. 27 • 1:30-2:30 p.m. • Central Rasmussen South

Wednesday, Jan. 28 • 2-3 p.m. • Online

Book Discussion: The Briar Club

Thursday, Feb. 5 • 10-11 a.m. • Hanover Park Branch

Thursday, Feb. 10 • 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: A Community Reading Event

Wednesday, Jan. 14 • 6:30-8p.m

A Night to READmember is the perfect opportunity to engage, inspire, and read with your community.

Pick-Up Program: Dinnertime Conversation Starters

Sunday, Feb. 15 • All Day

Pick up your pack of cards for family-friendly games, activities, and questions that encourage conversations about friendship, belonging and identity.

Youth Programs

Book Explorers: Seoul Food

Saturday, Jan. 17 • 4-5 p.m. • 5-8 years

Join us while we read aloud and discuss our One Book, One Community title, Seoul Food by Erin Russel.

Tween Studio: Phone Photography

Saturday, Feb. 14 • 3-4 p.m. • 9-12 years

Photos and play a critical role in this year's One Book One Community pick, Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee. Learn some photography skills in honor of the book.

Teen Programs

Pick-Up Program: DIY Eraser Stamp

Friday, Jan. 2 • All Day • 12-19 years

Make your own eraser stamp to create prints like those made at the printing press in the book, Song of a Blackbird.

Collage Art Creations

Wednesday, Jan. 21• 5:30-7 p.m. • Central Program Room • 12-19 years

Make a collage using mixed media and art supplies. We provide paper, stickers, washi tape, and more. You are welcome to bring pictures from home to use in your collage.

Time Capsule Postcards

Thursday, Feb. 12 • 6-7 p.m. • Central Program Room • 12-19 years

Design a multimedia postcard and write your future self a note. No peeking until 2035!

Adult Programs

House Un-American Activies Committee and the Hollywood Ten

Thursday, Feb. 12• 7-8 p.m. • Central Rasmusen Room OR Online

Discover the story of the writers, producers, and directors who defied HUAC in the 1940s, sparking Hollywood’s infamous blacklist. Learn how this era shaped lives, careers, and the film industry.

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

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