Join us for a cup of coffee and a lively round of current events on Friday, May 24 beginning at 7:30 p.m.  The topic is The Keystone Pipeline. No registration is required; just drop by. Click here for more information.

Coffee & Conversation provides an open, nonpartisan forum for community members to share their views. This moderated discussion strives to encourage greater understanding of diverse viewpoints. Coffee & Conversation is sponsored by the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation (MPPLF).

Always a patron favorite, the BG Singers Encore! return to MPPL to sing selections from their 20th Anniversary Show, Platinum. Selections by the award-winning ensemble will include pop classics, Broadway favorites, and a special “Jersey Boys” medley. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29 and is sponsored by the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation (MPPLF). Click here to register.

Irish eyes are smiling and so were the nearly 100 patrons who attended An Irish Concert With Pat Gaughan on Tuesday, March 12. Sponsored by the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation, the evening featured  two celebrations in one – a musical prelude to St. Patrick’s Day plus the official launching of the Library’s year-long 70th Anniversary Celebration.

MPPL Executive Director Marilyn Genther welcomed participants with a surprise billed as Random Acts of Prizes. Those in attendance received a pack of  sticky notes, a small token of appreciation from the Library to thank the community for its ongoing support.  The Irish Music Concert was the first of  Seven Signature Events in honor of the 70th Anniversary. The Seven Signature Events will take place throughout 2013 and are select programs that represent the scope and breadth of what the Library does best.

The Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle ended on a sweet note for thirteen area residents who won specialty baskets and items featured in the annual event. Sponsored by the MPPL Foundation, the event began on Wednesday, February 6 and concluded with the drawing in the lobby of the Library on Tuesday, February 19.

The baskets were all chocolate-themed and included a bounty of delicious treats along with gift certificates to area businesses and restaurants. Pictured here are some young visitors to the Library assisting Library staff and Foundation members with the drawing.

The winners in the Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle are:

•   Elegant Chocolate - John Heidkamp, Mount Prospect
•  Lights, Camera, Chocolate - Theresa McKenna, Mount Prospect
•  Dark, Decadent, and Divine - Diane Sersi, Wheeling
• Pitch Perfect - John Bannon, Crest Hill
• Sugar Free! - Paula Matzek, Mount Prospect
• Sweet- A Place for Everything - Al Kelistonitsch, Mount Prospect
• TJ’s Temptations - Rick Kozak, Mount Prospect
• Cravings - Laura Pensa, Arlington Heights
• Happy 70th MPPL - Alex Jacob, Mount Prospect
• Homerun Chocolate - Jack Ankony, Mount Prospect
• Irish Chocolates - Dave Kelly
• Deliciously Downton - Rod Ely, Mount Prospect
• Amor/South Branch - Yesenia Nunez, Mount Prospect

Congratulations to all the winners!

The 3rd Annual Kids’ Fun Run benefiting the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation  took place Saturday, June 23 at 9:30 a.m. Sunny skies and an enthusiastic crowd provided a winning backdrop for this year’s participants as they took on the 1.5 mile course at Melas Park. Nearly 50 runners, ranging in ages from 6-12 years old, competed in two age categories.  The event, which was organized by Stay Fit Physical Therapy and Wellness, Mount Prospect, raised $800 for the Foundation.

Thanks to your generous support the MPPL Foundation proudly sponsors a wide array of cultural and educational programs each year. Our free-of-charge programs reach children, teens, and adults and strive to entertain, educate, and enlighten. To enjoy a sampling of programs sponsored by the Foundation, follow the links below to Library Life. 

Click here to view Young Yogis!

Click here to view In Praise of Gospel Music

Click here to view MPPL Foundation Presents: An Irish Concert

Click here to view Chinese Folk and Classical Dance

Recycle your used electronics!  It’s easy thanks to an ongoing program with Recycling Fundraiser and the MPPL Foundation.

Bring any of the following items to the Library and drop them in the bright pink collection bin near the Registration Desk:

• Cell phones – no chargers or accessories
• Laptop computers only
• Ink-jet cartridges – small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. No toner.
• Apple iPods
• Digital cameras
• Digital video camcorders
• Handheld game systems – Sony PSP handheld and Nintendo’s DSI, DS lite, DS original, Gameboy Advance, or Gameboy Color
• MP3 Players – Microsoft Zune, Sandisk or Creative only
• GPS devices – Garmin, Mio, Magellan, and TomTom only
• Radar detectors – Escort, Beltronics, and Cobra only
• E-Book reader – Kindle, Sony, and Verizon iRex only

Since 2007, monies earned from Recycling Fundraiser have helped to support the Foundation in its ongoing mission of funding special events and other services at the Library.

The Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the Illinois General Not-For-Profit Corporation Act exclusively for charitable, literary and educational purposes.  Contributions to the Foundation are deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). 2012-2013 Board of Directors:

• President — Suzanne Busse
• Vice President — Burt Schultz
• Secretary/Treasurer — Lillian Gerlach
• Members:
  • Rose Allen
  • Charles Bennett
  • Jacqueline Hinaber
  • Laura Luteri
  • Katy Rossi
  • Bill Walters
  • Harold Weary

Want to make a difference in your community but cannot commit to a regular volunteer schedule? Consider helping the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation. Your support for the Library Foundation allows the Library to continue to provide exciting programs and services not possible through public funding. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the Library at 847/253-5675 and ask for Administration.