505 North - Resilience and Relationships In Focus at the Library

It's Spring Break and while Barrington definitely seems less crowded than usual, the library has been hopping! (Ouch - no bunny pun intended) If you ask librarians why we chose our career paths, you'll often hear a story of magical childhood Saturdays spent browsing the shelves of books and how the helpful people we met at our own libraries inspired us to grow up and become helpful ourselves. So, when our library is full of happy children, it really is a dream come true for us!

Family relationships are the focus of our next series of One Book One Barrington events, beginning in April. As always, we've tried to include events and programs for every age, stage and interest.

You talk with your children about school, sports, their hobbies - how about books? Join us for a Father/Son and Mother/Daughter book discussion in early April.

Fathers and sons will discuss Peak by Roland Smith on Wednesday, April 3, 7 PM. In the book, a 14-year-old boy attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest. We'll set the atmosphere by holding this book discussion at Erehwon Mountain Outfitters in Kildeer. Register to join us.

Mothers and daughters will discuss Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein on Thursday, April 4, 7 PM. In 1943, a British fighter plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France and the survivor tells a tale of friendship, war, espionage, and great courage. Make it a girls' night out by joining us at Anna Shea Chocolates in South Barrington. Register to join us.

Some families face unique challenges that call for "Resilience in Real Life." Mom and NAMI Board Member Toni Hoy has raised four children, two of them adopted through the foster care system. Hear her speak about how raising two children with mental illness impacted the entire family and the often difficult choices they were required to make. She'll also discuss long-term institutional care and smaller group home options for individuals with mental illness. This conversation is appropriate for adults and young adults and will take place on Sunday, April 7, 2 PM at the library. Register to join us.

In the novel, The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Victoria Jones is forced to leave the foster care system she has known since infancy. Uncomfortable in the company of other people, she finds solace and new life in her work, creating floral arrangements in the Victorian language of flowers. Sound intriguing? We'll discuss the novel on two occasions:

Thursday, April 18, 7 PM at The Annex
Saturday, April 20, 2 PM at Cook Street Coffee
Use the links to register for the date of your choice.

Finally, watch for an update soon on our Swing It community dance on April 27 - a FUN event with live music and swing dancing lessons that the whole family, from grandma and grandpa to the little ones, can enjoy together! We thank all of our One Book One Barrington sponsors: the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation, the PTO President's Council, The Garlands of Barrington, BACOA, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the community businesses who are assisting us with programn locations. THANK YOU!