Spend a Day with John Records Landecker

Do you remember the “Boogie Check”? Americana Panorama? Those classic days when WLS 890 was the center of the rock universe on Midwest radio? If any of these bring back fond memories, please join us as WLS disc jockey John Records Landecker comes to the Carol Stream Library to discuss his amazing radio career and to talk about his new book titled Records Truly Is My Middle Name.  The event will be held in the meeting rooms at the library on Sunday, October 6. A reception is scheduled for 1:30 pm and the program and book signing will run from 2:00-4:00.

Radio legend John Records Landecker has been questioned throughout his career about the origin of his middle name. As he points out in his book, it was not, as most people assumed, a stage name. His mother's maiden name was Records and her full name was Majorie Victoria Records as Landecker himself remarked during the 2008 BIG89 Rewind on 890 WLS AM. "Records truly is my middle name" is a saying Landecker frequently uses on the air.

The Friends of the Carol Stream Library have planned this event and will sponsor a reception and book signing after the program. Be sure to join us for an upbeat and entertaining afternoon with one of the legends of local radio.

Mark your calendar and join us for this special event!
Date: October 6

Reception: 1:30 pm
Program: 2:00 pm

An Evening with Poet Laureate Kevin Stein

Are you looking for something inspiring to do on a rainy Thursday evening? If so, the Friends of the Carol Stream Library invite you to join us tonight to meet Illinois Poet Laureate Kevin Stein. Stein will read from his new book, Wrestling Li Po for the Remote and answer questions from the audience.  In December, 2003, the Governor of Illinois named Kevin Stein Illinois Poet Laureate, filling the position previously held by such notable authors as Howard Austin, Carl Sandburg, and Gwendolyn Brooks. In this capacity Stein co-sponsors Illinois poetry competitions for Emerging Writers as well as elementary, middle, and high school students. He also created the Poetry Now! project that has donated funds to nearly 50 Illinois libraries for the purchase of poetry by Illinois writers, designed and now maintains two laureate websites promoting the state’s poetry, and has offered over 170 in-state readings and presentations.

Stein’s newest collection, Wrestling Li Po for the Remote, appeared in spring 2013 from Chicago’s Fifth Star Press. Yusef Komunyakaa calls that volume “a tour de force . . . of mercurial wit and quickness, politics and aesthetics“ in which “nothing seems to escape this poet’s flawless ear and keen eye.” As poet, critic, and editor, Stein has published eight poetry collections and chapbooks, three scholarly books, two poetry anthologies, and numerous poems and essays published in journals as well as anthologies. This work has received acclaim from reviewers, including notice by Julia Keller in the Chicago Tribune and Mark Eleveld in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Before the reading, the Friends of the Library will host a reception for the poet. Come early for a chance to meet Stein in a more casual setting. Refreshments will be served.  Here are the details:

An Evening with the Illinois Poet Laureate

Thursday, September 19

6:00 pm: Author Reception
7:00 pm: Presentation by Kevin Stein

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Friends Are Now on Facebook!

In our efforts to reach out to the supporters of the Carol Stream Library in as many ways as possible, the board members of the Friends of the Carol Stream Public Library have created a Facebook page that they will use to inform the public about upcoming programs and other special activities. Just click on this link to view the Facebook page and be sure to like us so that you will get notifications when new information is posted.

We are pleased that membership in the Friends organization continues to grow, and the board members have been working hard to bring more exciting programs like the recent presentation by Orion Samuelson that was extremely popular with the many residents who filled the meeting room to hear him speak.

More information about the Friends of the Carol Stream Public Library and a link to the membership form is posted on the library web site. If you are not already a member, please consider joining to help support our efforts to bring new programs and resources to our library.

Orion Samuelson is Coming to the Library!

The Friends of the Carol Stream Library are pleased to announce that they are offering a special program in cooperation with library staff members—a book talk conducted by long-time WGN radio personality Orion Samuelson. Mr. Samuelson will visit the Library on Tuesday, May 14, from 6:30 pm-8:00 pm to talk about his new memoir You Can’t Dream Big Enough. Mr. Samuelson will give a brief talk covering some of the highlights and lowlights of his more than 60 years in broadcasting. His agricultural travels have taken him to more than 40 countries and he has crossed the United States many times during his career.

You Can’t Dream Big Enough contains dozens of stories about his 60-plus years on the air -- 52 of them at WGN Radio -- and the many legendary broadcasters with whom he has worked. Orion Samuelson tells how his big dreams began amid humble beginnings on a remote Wisconsin dairy farm, how a childhood illness altered his life, as well as his near-death experiences later in life, and how his wife, Gloria, saved his life. The book contains tributes to the many men and women who Orion has worked with at WGN, such as Ward Quaal, Wally Phillips, Bob "Uncle Bobby" Collins, Paul Harvey, Roy Leonard, and others

Copies of his book, which can be autographed, will be available for sale. The Friends of the Library will sponsor a reception afterward to give you a chance to meet this legendary member of the National Radio Hall of Fame. If you would like to join us for this special event, seating is limited so be sure to register on the Library’s program calendar at www.cslibrary.org.

2013 Annual Meeting

The annual meeting for the Friends of the Carol Stream Library will be held on Monday, May 6, at 7:00 pm in the library meeting room. We will conduct the business portion of meeting first and then work on used book sale items. Among the items on the agenda are the election of officers for 2013-2014, reports by the president, treasurer and membership chair, and a discussion of the upcoming special event featuring Orion Samuelson. We encourage all members to attend.

Please bring any books or videos that you would like to donate to our used book sale. The ongoing book sale is the primary means by which the Friends organization raises funds used to pay for special programming and resources that are donated to the library for use by all patrons.

Welcome Reception for Susan Westgate

A Welcome Reception for
Susan Westgate

Sunday, March 10
2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Library Meeting Rooms

The Friends of the Carol Stream Library are pround to announce a special event--a welcome reception for the the new Director, Susan Westgate. Some patrons may already have had a chance to talk with Susan during her first busy weeks at the library, but this will be a great opportunity to meet with her and to talk about the new and exciting programs and services she envisions for our library.

As noted above, the reception will be held on Sunday, March 10, from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. The event will be held in the Library Meeting Rooms that are located just off the lobby when you first enter the building. Refreshments will be served compliments of the Friends of the Library.

Please join us on March 10 to welcome Susan Westgate to the Carol Stream Library!

Help Us Celebrate the 50th Anniversary!

On Saturday, September 29, the Carol Stream Public Library will officially celebrate its 50th anniversary of service to the residents of our community, and in keeping with our commitment to support the Library, the Friends of the CSPL are very proud to be taking a very active role in the many events that are scheduled to commemorate this occasion. There will be special events for families in the days leading up to the official anniversary, drawings for Kindles throughout the day on October 6, and a special anniversary cake. As always, the members of the Friends of the Carol Stream Public Library will be working closely with the Library staff to coordinate these efforts, and funds from the Friends will be playing a key role in financing the anniversary activities.

Here are some highlights of the planned activities that are being sponsored by the Friends of the CSPL:

LegoLand Race Car Workshop

Friday, September 7

4:00 pm-5:00 pm

Discovery and Horizon Rooms

This fun, hands on workshop allows students ages 7 and up the opportunity to explore mathematics and elementary physics with classic LEGOS bricks. Participants will build LEGOS race cars, race them on a track, and collect data to determine the performance of their cars. By learning about the forces that affect their cars they will then be able to create lean racing machines.



Balloon Workshop with John “Doc” Morrissy

Sunday, September 23

2:00 pm-3:30 pm

Discovery and Horizon Rooms

Join the Library's birthday celebration! Learn how to make balloon animals and other creations like hats and swords, then show off your new skill to your friends! No huffing and puffing required–the balloons will be inflated when you arrive.


50th Anniversary Cake

Saturday, September 29

1:00 pm-4:00 pm

The Friends of the Carol Stream Public Library invite you to come to the Library to visit with Friends and share a piece of Anniversary cake. Please join us to share stories about the many ways that the Library has grown and changed over the years and help us celebrate all the accomplishments of the last 50 years.

In addition to these events that are directly sponsored by the Friends of the Carol Stream Public Library, the Friends have also helped to subsidize the purchase of the Kindles that will be given away during a day of activities at the Library on Saturday, October 6.