At the end of February, we launched the Library’s redesigned website, featuring a more integrated blog. While we’re retiring the name “ShelfLife” and this website as the location for the Cook Memorial Public Library District’s blog, you’ll find the same great content on the Library’s new website, now in more intuitive and prominent locations. How You Can Find Us Now Go directly to the blog webpage by typing in cooklib.org/blog. Alternatively, visit our homepage, then scroll down to “The Latest” section. From there, click on a featured post or view all posts by clicking “The Latest.” All pre ..read more

Readers’ Advisors Erica and Amy share three recent books that bring their worlds — a tense near-future, a legendary past, and present-day America – to life in vivid and unexpected ways. Books featured in this episode: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity by Michele Norris Click here to register for the Spring Book Buzz. For personalized book recommendations, visit www.cooklib.org/bookies. For the library’s blog, visit shelflife.cooklib.org. Email us at webmaste ..read more

Erica and Marianne are sticking to their reading resolutions by digging into great historical fiction featuring real-life banditos and midwives. Then, Marianne gives us the inside scoop on this year’s One Book, One Community series. Titles discussed in this episode: The Bullet Swallower, by Elizabeth Gonzalez James The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon The Violin Conspiracy, by Brendan Slocumb For details on all of the One Book, One Community events, visit 1book.org. For personalized book recommendations, visit www.cooklib.org/bookies. For the library’s blog, visit shelflife.cookli ..read more

Find out the who’s who of national celebrities and historical figures that have made appearances in Libertyville through the years. Enjoy part two of the series. Mentioned in the Podcast: October 25, 1960 – Senator John F. Kennedy’s Remarks at Liberty Mall, Libertyville, Illinois (YouTube) Local History page Catch every episode! Subscribe to the Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast wherever you get your podcasts ..read more

Erica and Amy, our new book club associate, share the titles they’ve been enjoying lately, from a suspenseful family drama to a sublimely ridiculous charmer (and the best cover of 2023). https://traffic.libsyn.com/cooklib/Bookies_Talk_-_Family_Stories_and_Surprising_Legacies.mp3 Books discussed in this episode: The Leftover Woman, Jean Kwok Night Watch, Jayne Anne Phillips The Dictionary People, Sarah Ogilvie The Wishing Game, Meg Shaffer Starter Villain, John Scalzi For more information about our book club services, including a list of titles, visit https://www.cooklib.org/bo ..read more

Find out the who’s who of national celebrities and historical figures that have made appearances in Libertyville through the years. Enjoy part one of the series. There’s more to come! Mentioned in the Podcast: Ep. 38: The Past is Present – Frederick Grabbe and Libertyville’s Spring Water Local History page Catch every episode! Subscribe to the Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast wherever you get your podcasts ..read more

Two women in front of Libertyville bakery. 1915. We close out Women’s History Month with a look at some of the earliest businesses in Libertyville that were owned by women. Previous Women’s History Month Podcast Episodes Women of Cook Library The Past is Present: Dr. Norma Munson The Past is Present: 3 Women of Libertyville Libertyville Historical Society on YouTube History Matters: Stay – The History of Libertyville Hotels Subscribe to the Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast in Apple, Spotify, or wherever you like to get your podcasts ..read more

For the 8th year in a row librarians Becky and Nate get together after the Academy Awards to discuss the ceremony and celebrate the year in film. Listen in as they discuss the nominees, the night’s memorable moments, and share their own selection of movies the awards season may have overlooked but you won’t want to miss. Also, find out how you can use your library card to catch up on all the amazing movies of the year.  ..read more

April 3-9 is National Library Week and this year’s theme is Connect With Your Library. In this episode we run down five ways to use the library that you may not have known about. Read Bronwyn’s National Library Week blog post Explore the Digital Studios Learn how to sign up for text notifications Visit our Genealogy page Check out Mango Languages and other online resources Book a Pop-Up Playtime appointment ..read more

Becky and Nate are back on the podcast for the 7th year in a row to talk about last night’s Academy Awards ceremony. They share some of their own opinions about the nominees and other favorite movies of last year. Hear about the night’s memorable moments (and boy were there moments), the movies, the performances, and how you can catch up with all of these great films at the library ..read more