It's Not Just a Book Thing!

Welcome to Sundays in My City, a weekly passport to cities far and near!  Unknown Mami is the official sponsor of this engaging look at people and places that many of us can enjoy from the warmth and comfort of our computers. 

It is with great excitement that I am able to share with you our local library!  The Schaumburg Township District Library is a exhilarating example of how today's libraries not only serve and inform, but engage residents of all ages!  Since moving to the Chicago area a few months ago, and applying for my card, I have attended two computer classes, a job skills/employment search seminar, checked out numerous books and movies, and cruised throughout the building in awe of the incredible layout and interior design.  What follows are some pictures I'd like to share from a recent visit.

As I enter the building, I am greeted by a very quiet gentleman (who just happens to be a statue) sitting on a bench outside of the cafe reading a good book!  I inhale the distinctly rich aroma of coffee (to some of us, it's like inhaling the aroma of chocolate) as I pass the cafe.  "Should I grab a cup now, or can I hold off for 15 more minutes?"  I pass through a second set of doors and find myself in the center of a rotunda-type room, with open passages to areas that resemble a book store, a children's play place, and a video/music/movie theatre event, and, of course, a very people friendly information center and checkout!

But the piece de resistance is the new 6,000 square-foot Teen Place on the second floor.  Not scheduled to officially open until November 24th, I was given a private and exclusive tour of this extraordinary masterpiece of design and technology which involved input from local teens, ideas from innovative Library staff, and the expertise of Interior Designer, Denelle Wrightson.  Please note that the decor is unfinished in my pictures.

The Teen Place is designed for young people ages 12-19.  As you can see by my pictures (I am not a professional product photographer) there are many high-tech "group" stations for the teens to use.  They fulfill the needs of homework assignments that entail group participation, as well as just hanging out, with or without multiple electronic devices.  Actually, just about any type of electronic device is available to use by simply swiping a library card. 

In addition to the staples of fiction and non-fiction books, novels, magazines, there are copies of local junior high and high school textbooks, just in case students "forget" to bring theirs home. There is a large unit in the center of the room (much like a "Redbox") where the teens can access DVDs, CDS and video games to be used while in the Place. There is a multi-purpose room where teens can watch movies or play video games (either together on a large screen or smaller individual screens). 

The teens have access to iMacs, iPads, several current gaming consoles, two discussion rooms with white-boards and flat-screens, and a "silent" reading room (yes, there are teens who love to read!).   Additionally, there is a digital production studio complete with green screen, cameras and state of the art computer technology to work it all!  There is also advanced music creation and video production software for teens who want to practice and improve their skills learned in the classroom. 

I WANT TO BE 14 AGAIN.... (well, maybe just for a week or so...) 

Many thanks to the wonderful people at The Schaumburg Township Library for making me feel like a VIP every time I walk through their doors.  Please visit their website to learn about the many programs I couldn't fit in this post, at www.schaumburglibrary.org.  A special thank you to Lori Teipel, the Teen Manager, for taking time to show me the exciting things to come for our young adults.  Thanks, also, to the library's amazingly knowledgeable technical team who introduced me to the very high-tech production equipment, computer assisted applications and the unending possibilities available to our local youth. 

I live in Schaumburg, IL (it's just outside of Chicago).  Welcome to my city!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Please click on Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City logo below to see some really interesting and fun places.!

RaNdOm FuN WeDnEsDaY

Please stop by 2nd Cup of Coffee and say hi to Lid! Just click on the logo and you will be magically transported to a very happy place (one of those happy places that we all try to get to now and then!)



Here are a few Q & A's that may tell you a little more about my schizo personality!

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"

I’ve had lots of overdue books, but I’ve never been cuffed and hauled away!

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?

Yes, I have a plan; it’s not really organized however. It’s the basement, and it’s the place where everything goes that can’t fit in a drawer or closet upstairs.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?

Yes. I grew up in Southern California and was privy to the 1971 Simi Valley Earthquake, as well as, the 1993 San Fernando Valley Earthquake. There was no structural damage where I lived, but I got to experience the “rolling and shaking” with a little gusto. Then, there is the natural disaster of my oldest daughter’s bedroom….. I’m up on my tetanus shots, so don’t worry!

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?

“I Write the Songs,” “Somewhere in the Night.”

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?

My Birthday Suit, but I didn’t win any prizes…just blood-curdling screams!

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?

I use the dictionary more often…very often…all of the time!

7. What's your favorite breakfast food?

My favorite breakfast consists of eggs, potatoes & gigantic blueberry muffins… then a nap.

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?

I have purchased enough junk from infomercials to fill up an entire room! I’ve bought exercise equipment, hair removal, acne removal, diet/exercise programs, subliminal message tapes, books…it’s very embarrassing!

9. Have you ever crawled through a window?

No, I can’t fit through a normal sized window, unless it is a sliding glass door, then I would just walk through it.

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Absolutely! Many years ago, I made a connection with someone as I was coming out of an elevator. It was something I had never felt before, or since.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?

I own two pair of jeans; they are both made from stretch denim and have stretch waistbands for my womanly figure.

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")

It would be a three-tiered, square white cake with white frosting, and a border of red roses and green vines. The top cake would be covered with a pyramid of many, many, many chocolate, strawberry, and white iced petite fours (sp? – oh, I have to use the dictionary) – petit fours. This way, I wouldn’t feel like I’m pigging out if I just have a handful of the little cakes, instead of my usual practice of burying my face in the cake until it was totally consumed!

Please stop by and say hello to Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!