Readers’ Advisor Erica O’Rourke talks up some of the season’s best and most buzzed about books. If you need some new reading suggestions or just want to know what titles are worth adding to your TBR pile, you won’t want to miss this episode. In This Episode Returning FavoritesColson Whitehead, Harlem Shuffle Anthony Doerr, Cloud…

Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast

Fall Book Buzz

Head of Children’s Services Melissa Phillips is here to get you excited about summer reading! Get info on how to sign up, all the fun activities to participate in, and of course the prizes. Why wait? SIGN UP NOW!

Everything you need to know about the 2021 Summer Reading Club

For the 6th year in a row, AV Librarian Becky King is back to talk about the Academy Awards ceremony. Nate and Becky discuss the night’s biggest moments, the movies and performances of the year, plus share a few 2020 favorites that were shut out of the awards, but that you won’t want to miss.

The Year in Film (2020) / Oscars Recap

We celebrate Women’s History Month and Cook Library’s Centennial by looking at the women who were key to the founding of the library and its early days. Local History Librarian Jenny Barry shares the stories of Emily Barrows Cook, Mabel MacGuffin, Norma Lee Peck, Clara Colby, Laura Taylor, August Lovell, and more. Keep checking the…

Women of Cook Library

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Cook Library’s Romance book selector Erica O’Rourke shares a few of her favorite titles. Erica talks about what differentiates a romance from a love story then suggests books for fans of Bridgerton, those looking for something contemporary, and even some titles for anyone celebrating Galentine’s Day. MENTIONED IN…

Happiness Guaranteed: Romance Recommendations for Valentine’s Day

Readers’ Advisor Jo is back for our annual episode on Cook Library’s favorite books of the year! Astute listeners will note it is no longer 2020, but with so many great books published and our annual library booklets being released despite a worldwide pandemic, we figured better late than never to do a little celebrating…

Our Favorite Books of 2020

How has COVID-19 impacted the book publishing industry? Our guest Skip Dye – SVP of Library Sales & Digital Strategy and SVP Director of Sales Operations at Penguin Random House – knows a thing or two about how publishers are adapting to this very different world we find ourselves in. We pack a lot into…

Publishing During A Pandemic: A Conversation with Skip Dye of Penguin Random House

Why haven’t more people heard of Nancy Wake? An upper-class expat who smuggled documents and people out of WWII Paris, armed the French Resistance, and killed a Nazi commander bare-handed, this war heroine should be a household name — but she isn’t. Author Ariel Lawhon sets out to rectify the oversight in her latest novel,…

Author Ariel Lawhon on Nazi-killing socialite spy Nancy Wake

Note: This episode is part three in a three-part series originally released by Drops of Ink – the student news publication of Libertyville High School. Drops of Ink explores different perspectives on race in Libertyville. Originally published September 14, 2016. Produced and hosted by Conor Kennedy.

CMPL Podcast Presents: A History of Racism in Libertyville and the North Shore (part 3)

Note: This episode is part two in a three-part series originally released by Drops of Ink – the student news publication of Libertyville High School. Drops of Ink explores the history of the movement for housing equality. Originally published July 22, 2016. Produced and hosted by Conor Kennedy.

CMPL Podcast Presents: A History of Racism in Libertyville and the North Shore (part 2)

Note: This episode is part one in a three-part series originally released by Drops of Ink – the student news publication of Libertyville High School. Drops of Ink delves into the history behind the segregation of Libertyville and its surrounding communities. Originally published May 26, 2016. Produced and hosted by Conor Kennedy.

CMPL Podcast Presents: A History of Racism in Libertyville and the North Shore (part 1)

Phil Christman is the author of the new book Midwest Futures – a collection of interconnected essays about the Midwest. The book expands on Christman’s 2017 essay for The Hedgehog Review On Being Midwestern: The Burden of Normality. Both the essay and book start with a dissection of writing cliches about the Midwest as a…

Phil Christman on Being Midwestern

Many of us find ourselves with a lot more time at home these days. Why not use that time to explore one of the library’s best digital resources – hoopla! Audiovisual librarian Becky King and host Nate Gass each share their Top 5 hoopla movie recommendations. Dive into hoopla right now Don’t have a library…

10 Movies to Stream on Hoopla Right Now

Local History Librarian Jennifer Barry helps us celebrate Women’s History Month at the local level by highlighting the extraordinary life of Libertyville High School teacher Dr. Norma Munson.

The Past is Present: Dr. Norma Munson

Becky and Nate get together for the 5th year in a row to talk about last night’s Academy Awards Ceremony. They discuss some of the biggest surprises and their favorite moments, plus recommend a few 2019 films you may have missed.

The Year in Film (2019) / Oscars Recap

From the Cook Memorial Public Library in Libertyville/Vernon Hills, Illinois. Librarians sharing book recommendations, author interviews, local history stories, and more! Hosted by Nate Gass & Lindsay Barber-Peddycoart.

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Cook Memorial Public Library Podcast

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