Morton Grove Receives 25 Books About Islam

The library received the books from a grant. It will display them and may design some programs around them, possibly with neighboring libraries which also received grants.

  Have you been curious to learn more about Islam? The Morton Grove applied for a "Muslim Journeys Bookshelf" grant, and was one of about 850 libraries in the nation which received it, according to Pam Leffler, the library director. The library received 25 books, from literature such as the classic Arabian nights to Sufi poetry by Rumi and Attar, to books about Islamic contributions to science and an exploration of the Quran. More information about the grant and the books can be found here, from the Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago. Rizwan Kadir, immediate past president of the Muslim Community Center Full-Time School in Morton Grove, authored the Marty Center article.   Leffer said the …

• Photos (1)

Join Pub Trivia Night at Bringer Inn

Test your knowledge. The Morton Grove Library is busy compiling trivia questions so you can form a team of up to four and have a great time with friends and neighbors.

Morton Grove Library Talks Space Constraints

The library is running out of room for new items and technology, and officials are discussing ways to remedy the problem, the Morton Grove Champion reports.

  Morton Grove Public Library officials are once again discussing the issue of space constraints, the Morton Grove Champion reports. Earlier: Morton Grove Library trustees nix idea of new building, tax hike The discussion was brought up at a special meeting last week. The library is quickly running out of space due to new technology, new materials and other things. Previously, the library officials discussed expansion options including finding an entirely new building, which did not pan out. The staff is in the preliminary stages of discussing the issue, and no real plans or discussions have been brought to the table yet, the Champion reports.   Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook

• Photos (1)

Who Will Be On Morton Grove Ballot?

Three have filed so far in library race; two have filed for mayor in the primary; one announced candidate has not filed yet.

  Who will you be voting for on the April 9 ballot in Morton Grove? It depends on which candidates file for candidacy in the filing period, which started Monday and ends Dec. 26. Earlier: Want to run for office? File Dec. 17 to 26 So far, Barbara Novick, Carlotta Gonzales and David Calimag have filed to run as candidates for the Morton Grove Library Board, according to Marlene Kramaric of the Village of Morton Grove. Earlier, Dan Staackmann and Dan DiMaria filed to run in the February primary election. The winner of that contest will run on the April 9 ballot. One announced candidate in the April 9 election, Larry Gomberg, had not filed as of Thursday afternoon, Kramaric said. Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook Get Niles and Morton …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Getting A Job: Where Did Job-Seekers Go?

Librarians who aid job seekers say they're seeing fewer of them. They hope some have found jobs. But they fear many have just given up altogether. Part of our Labor Day-inspired series on work and careers.

  Starting in about 2008, Niles Library staff would spend a big part of their day helping job-seekers find career websites, upload their resumes and navigate online applications. About six months ago, though, it stopped, said Judy McNulty, who heads the library's reference department. "We used to have people coming in and saying, 'I lost my job today,' and asking for help. We're not seeing that now," she said. Earlier: Getting A Job: A Job Seeker and a New Hire  Earlier: Tiny Firms, Huge Companies Hiring In June, she held two drop-in workshops for job seekers, and nobody came. That has her worried. "Bob Podgorski (a careers expert who has given presentations at the library) would say people are so depressed they don't even try anymore," …

• Photos (1)

Morton Grove Library Is Growing--Veggies

A vertical demonstration garden shows how to grow zucchini in small spaces; another is for kids who like to play in the dirt.

  Giving a new meaning to the term "bookworm," the Morton Grove Library has two gardens that are growing vegetables. The two veggie plots, on the west side of the building facing Georgiana Street, survived the 100-plus degree heat wave last week and boast some zucchini and tomatoes in their early stages.  Volunteers from the Morton  Grove Garden Club are tending the young shoots.  One garden is meant to demonstrate how to grow vegetables vertically, which is helpful for would-be gardeners who don't have a lot of garden space, said Nancy Brothers, the library's coordinator of programming and public relations, and Abby Annala, coordinator of marketing and community engagement.  The other is meant for kids, who might enjoy playing in the dirt…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (14)

Kids Enjoy Library's Read Fest

Kids listened to authors, played games, won prizes, and adults learned how to download e-book, and more.

  Kids fanned out all across the Morton Grove library Saturday during its Read Fest. They drew characters from their favorites books in chalk on the pavement outside the building, did some coloring in the children's section, had a costume parade and won prizes in a raffle.  Candace Fleming, author of Amelia Lost, The Lincolns and Muncha Muncha Muncha, spoke to kids, and they skyped with author Jim Benton, who wrote Dear Dumb Diary and the Franny K. Stein series.  Librarians also showed adults how to download e-books, as well as apps and websites for finding recommendations for good books. Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch on Facebook Get Niles and Morton Grove news delivered in your email. It's free. Learn more. 

• Photos (4)

Morton Grove Library Board Ousts Trustee

The board attorney presented evidence the trustee established residency in Cincinnati in January, though she attended the January, February and March meetings.

The Morton Grove Library Board ousted member Christa Quinn from her seat Monday night after it determined she had moved her legal address to Cincinnati, Ohio in January. The board voted 5-0 in a 25-minute special meeting to vacate Quinn’s seat after the board attorney, Frank Tennant, presented evidence she had both registered as a voter in Hamilton County, Ohio  on Jan. 10 and obtained an Ohio driver’s license. Tennant said he established that Quinn and her husband Peter had purchased a home at a specific address in Cincinnati. Get more news. Click here to get local news and events in your email inbox. It's free!  WhitePages.com lists the Quinns at that Cincinnati address with their prior residence listed as “Morton Grove 2012.” However, …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (2)

Dan Goldberg

6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Interesting perspective. Many people have second residences in WI, MI, AZ or FL, but Cincinnati? Isn't the real issue here about eligibility to sit on the board more being determined by where you're registered to vote? Besides, how many states let you have two driver's licences? While some may applaud Ms. Quinn, I think those who read those comments might see the uglier side of people who won't …   more ›

Library Board Could Approve 2012 Budget on Thursday

Residents may see a reduction in portion of their taxes if OK'd.

The Morton Grove Public Library Board is expected to approve its budget at its next meeting this Thursday night, as reported by the Morton Grove Champion. Residents could see a roughly $5 reduction in a portion of their tax bills if the board approves the 2012 budget on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Baxter Room of the library. A draft budget was discussed by board members on Oct. 25, which was presented to the village. However, trustees have yet to approve it.   In 2011 the budget called for $3,165,847,32 in expenses and revenues. Property taxes accounted for $3,099,570 of that revenue. This year the library expects to spend $10,000 less for salaries due to the resignations of the director and two library heads, Interim Co-Director Kevin Justie…

• Photos (1)

Library Addresses Accessibility, Transparency Issues

Board members continue to try to clear the air.

Ever since news broke of the previous Morton Grove Library board violating the Open Meetings Act, the new library board has been trying to turn the page toward a fresh start. At last night's board meeting, members continued to discuss various topics focusing on how to make the library a more transparent and accessible place for patrons. Earlier: Read Patch’s complete coverage of the ongoing library board dispute. Complying with accessibility standards Board member Paul Berg said troubleshooting has begun regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for the library. ADA lists various standards for building designs in order to assist those with disabilities including wheelchair ramps and accessible routes.  The library …

•  16 Comments
• Photos (1)