When it’s raffle time, it’s hard not to notice the beautifully wrapped baskets in the Lobby of the Library. Patrons may purchase raffle tickets for chances to win one or more baskets. Items for the baskets are donated to the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation or purchased with donated seed money. The Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle is held in winter, and the Fall Classic Raffle is held in the fall.

Join us for our adult concert series with musical performances throughout the year that everyone will enjoy. From cheerful holiday shows to historical performances of some of music’s most well-known pieces to multimedia experiences, these up-close and exciting concerts are guaranteed to get your toes tapping and might even encourage you to clap and sing along! Seating is limited for each concert and registration is required.

50th Anniversary of Woodstock, Tuesday, July 30, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Recall that pivotal weekend through songs and images as we celebrate the historic rock festival of August, 1969. A live music performance of the songs of Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, and others will be performed by Dean Milano and includes a slide show featuring many iconic images from the event. Click here to register.

The Legends of Sun Records,Tuesday, August 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Sun Records is where Rock ‘n’ Roll was born, so join guitarist Randy Walker as he performs the classic songs and provides some of the history behind the icons that helped create Rock n Roll. Songs by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and others will be featured. Click here to register.

For babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Why should you and your child read 1,000 books before kindergarten? Not only is reading aloud to your child a valuable bonding experience but it also improves your child’s success in school. By reading just three stories a day with your child, you will have read over 1,000 books in one year. The Library can help you track your journey and recommend titles your child will love. This program is sponsored by the Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation.

Its is easy to participate!

1. Visit the Youth Services desk to register and pick up your reading log.
2. Check off one star per book.
3. Check in after every 100 books for stickers and prizes. For completing the program, your child will receive a brand-new book, tote bag, and his or her name on a bookplate inside a Library book.

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago has performed at  the Mount Prospect Public Library since 2016 with their annual season of theatrical readings for patrons to see and hear Shakespeare and his contemporaries in a new light. As there are no sets, props, or costumes, audiences find the Project’s readings help truly experience Shakespeare’s words. A sampling of previous titles include:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“The course of true love never did run smooth.”
In dreams, anything is possible. The recipe for Shakespeare’s most popular comedy includes a group of two young lovers, some amateur actors, and, of course, an assortment of fairies, including Oberon and Titania, in the midst of a bitter custody battle. The play commences with a marriage and then the fun really begins.

Women Beware Women
“Never were finer snares for women’s honesties /than are devis’d in these days.”
In a world where men have all the power, what happens when women decide to take power for themselves?  Marriages crumble, lust reigns supreme, widows are beguiled, passions slaked, revenge plotted, and power brokers may be caught in their own web. Women Beware Women by Thomas Middleton is hailed as a masterpiece of Jacobean drama: smart, slick and hilarious, it is arguably the playwright’s crowning achievement. A deliciously decadent soap opera of a play, it showcases bad behavior and features possibly the bloodiest, most inventive climactic scene in Jacobean literature, giving new meaning to “murder most foul.”

Much Ado About Nothing
“When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.”
Don Pedro and his fellow soldiers, Benedick and Claudio have returned from war and visit the estate of Leonato, Pedro’s friend.  There, Claudio falls deeply in love with Leonato’s daughter, Hero, while Benedick rekindles an old friendship with Leonato’s niece Beatrice.  The stage is set for the ultimate battle of wits to ensue, combined with some intrigue stirred up by Pedro’s bastard brother Don John. Join us for one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies featuring a cast of Shakespeare Project favorites.

At 7 p.m. the preshow introduction begins. Following the play, a discussion and opportunity to interact with the actors and creative team will further enrich the experience. Seating is limited for each concert and registration is required. Stay tuned for upcoming programs offered in 2019/2020!