In Aurora, there are many stories waiting to be heard—stories of family traditions, individuals’ hard work, and neighborhoods building a community. The Aurora Public Library District is working on something special to preserve these stories by collecting Latino oral histories. This grant-funded project invites community members to share their life
By Cailín Cullen Do you know a Changemaker? These are people who care deeply about their community and put in the work year after year in service of a cause or organization at the local level. The Aurora Public Library District is curating a new Community Voices exhibit that will
The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) Aurora Community Walk will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at Waubonsie Lake Trail, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora. The Community Walk will be an opportunity to gather with family and friends and meet new neighbors while supporting the library
My mother is 83 years old, has had three hip replacement surgeries, suffers from arthritis in her knee, and uses a walker to get around. She often declines going places with me because it’s too hard on her body or too much work. This is an unfortunate reality for so
Libraries have long been centers of learning and connection, and now they are also spaces where families can explore what it means to be healthy! As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how the Aurora Public Library District can nurture not only children’s
The Aurora Public Library District is inviting readers of all ages to rediscover the joy of comics during Free Comic Book Day, a nationwide celebration of storytelling, creativity, and imagination. Saturday, May 2, all APLD locations will offer free comic books for visitors to take home and enjoy! Whether you’re
What’s your favorite zoo animal? For me and my kids, we love visiting the reptiles. Seeing their prehistoric features feels like a trip back in time! Whatever your favorite, the Aurora Public Library District welcomes you and your family to a zoo-themed storytime event Tuesday, April 28. Our special guest
Every April, the Aurora Public Library District and libraries across the country come together to celebrate National Library Week. It’s a time to recognize the vital role libraries play in strengthening communities, expanding access to information, and inspiring lifelong learning. It’s also a reminder that libraries are not just places
By Kiri Palm, Aurora Public Library, West Branch manager There were a lot of important questions I was asked while interviewing for my position as the West Branch Manager, but one really stood out: How do you feel about a branch renovation? It was an exciting prospect and an undertaking
When you visit the Aurora Public Library District, you see thousands of items on our shelves waiting patiently to be taken home. What you don’t see is the work that went into getting them there. Every single item (over 330,000) had to be ordered, received, labeled, barcoded, cataloged, and shelved
Looking for something fun (and free!) to do over spring break? Head to the Aurora Public Library District for a show that’s guaranteed to blow up your expectations (in the best way possible). Family entertainer Smarty Pants is bringing The Magical World of Balloons to APLD Wednesday, April 1 with
Pack some snacks and check your map; it’s time for a Library Road Trip! Starting Saturday, March 28, the Aurora Public Library District and 15 area libraries will come together to share the spirit of discovery, adventure, and community. It’s a chance for anyone to support libraries, learn something new,
Imagine a train traveling through the countryside. It whizzes past a flock of sheep grazing on a hill, a field of flowers with a variety of blooms, and a farmer who waves a quiet hello. As our train approaches a tunnel, the landscape begins to change. All of a sudden,
Not every young person knows what they want to be when they grow up — but sometimes all it takes is one conversation to discover a passion. At the Aurora Public Library District, we’ve started a new program series at West Branch to get teens thinking about their future without
A community grows stronger when each voice has the opportunity to tell its story. At the Aurora Public Library District, we created the Community Voices initiative to provide a space for people in Aurora to share their personal narratives, learn from their neighbors, and see themselves reflected in our city.
According to a National Health Survey by the CDC, “more than 1 in 10 children ages 2 – 5 had at least one untreated cavity in their baby teeth and half of all children ages 6 – 9 have had cavities in their permanent teeth.” To help combat this ongoing
Close your eyes and picture a beautiful person. What color are their eyes? What style of hair do they have? What does their clothing look like? We all have our own opinions, but what standards are these opinions based on? For centuries, darker skin has often been portrayed as “less
Most history books, especially in Illinois, mention Jane Addams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who was once described as “the most famous American woman of the 20th Century.” Fewer know the story of Alta May Hulett, a Rockton native who became Illinois’s first female lawyer at just 19 years old,
Since 2022, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) has participated in Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a virtual program series that provides high-quality online events to library customers. Previous speakers include Nick Offerman, Kwame Alexander, Danny Trejo, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Dr. Temple Grandin. This year, APLD has expanded these events by
Families want the best for their young children, and we’re fortunate to live in a community with so many resources that support early learning. But navigating and accessing those resources can be overwhelming, especially for new and expectant parents. Thankfully, the Aurora Public Library District brings it all together in
