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Image for event: The Many Facets of Benjamin Franklin

Register 104 Seats Remaining

The Many Facets of Benjamin Franklin

Registration Required
2026-05-28 19:00:00 2026-05-28 20:00:00 America/Chicago The Many Facets of Benjamin Franklin Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C

Thursday, May 28
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-28 19:00:00 2026-05-28 20:00:00 America/Chicago The Many Facets of Benjamin Franklin Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C

Des Plaines Public Library

Meeting Room B/C

Benjamin Franklin was a man who wore many hats, from inventor, to statesman, and founding father. Hear him reflect on his political career, written works, and scientific breakthroughs. It is fascinating to consider how his contributions have impacted our modern lifestyle. 

Dramatic portrayal by Terry Lynch


Celebrating America 250

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | America's 250th | Adult Program |

TAGS: | Performance | History |

Des Plaines Public Library
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About

The 1501 Ellinwood Street library building is the realization of a longheld dream of the library board, staff and community partners. Located in the heart of downtown Des Plaines, the four story, 82,000 square foot building represents the community's commitment to reading, lifelong learning, and a center for family activities. A grand central staircase and large windows provide a wealth of natural light and illuminate the building at night.

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OWL Memoir Writing Workshop - THIS PROGRAM IS FULL
Wed, Apr 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Please register online, by calling 847-376-2840, or by visiting the Readers’ Services Desk on the 3rd Floor.
This event is full
Happy Notes - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, Apr 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making uplifting cards for hospitalized kids! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Apr 09, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Friday Night Films - Hamnet / Registration Required
Fri, Apr 10, 6:30pm - 8:35pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the independent film Hamnet.
Creating a Profitable Author Life You Love - Presented by Sharon Woodhouse / Registration Required
Sat, Apr 11, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Participants will learn the seven pillars for creating a sustainable, income-generating author life they love.
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: Atmosphere - Registration required
Tue, Apr 14, 10:00am - 11:00am
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Apr 14, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
OWL Memoir Writing Workshop - THIS PROGRAM IS FULL
Wed, Apr 15, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Please register online, by calling 847-376-2840, or by visiting the Readers’ Services Desk on the 3rd Floor.
This event is full
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Apr 16, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Cristina Henríquez: Voice, Culture, and Human Connection - In Conversation with Carmen Álvarez / Registration Required
Thu, Apr 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join critically acclaimed, bestselling author, Cristina Henríquez for a compelling conversation about her work. Register
Service Hour Drop In - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Sat, Apr 18, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Need some service hours? Join us in The Commons where we will have different service options once a month. For teens in grades 7-12.
SAT Practice Test
Sat, Apr 18, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the SAT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning.
Film Screening - Wicked for Good / Registration Required
Sat, Apr 18, 1:30pm - 3:45pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the feature length film Wicked for Good.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Apr 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
FilmTalkTuesdays: Almost Famous (2000) - Registration Required
Tue, Apr 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
OWL Memoir Writing Workshop - THIS PROGRAM IS FULL
Wed, Apr 22, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Please register online, by calling 847-376-2840, or by visiting the Readers’ Services Desk on the 3rd Floor.
This event is full
Liberation Bookmarks - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, Apr 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making bookmarks for incarcerated youth! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Apr 23, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Thursday Evening Book Discussion: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller - Registration required
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Songs of the Singing Cowboys - Performance by Rick Pickren / Registration Required
Sun, Apr 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Rick Pickren sings songs made famous by the silver screen's singing cowboys.
Code Q - Social Club
Tue, Apr 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Are you or your best friend an LGBTQ teen? Join us and show your support as we watch movies, play games and interact about topics that support the LGBTQ youth. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Apr 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
OWL Memoir Writing Workshop - THIS PROGRAM IS FULL
Wed, Apr 29, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Please register online, by calling 847-376-2840, or by visiting the Readers’ Services Desk on the 3rd Floor.
This event is full
Teen Crafternoons - Lava Lamp Lip Gloss
Wed, Apr 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Open maker workshop. Sample our featured technology or bring your own project to work on. April Spotlight: Lava Lamp Lip Gloss. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Apr 30, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Making the Most of Social Security - Registration Required
Thu, Apr 30, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Strategies to boost your monthly lifetime benefits.
Friday Night Films
Fri, May 01, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of an international, independent or documentary film.
Life Drawing at the Library 2026 - Now in the Canvas
Sat, May 02, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Canvas
Learn to draw the human body with a clothed model, located in The Canvas on the 4th floor. Drop in with no registration required; open to adults, seniors, and teens.  
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 05, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 07, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: Underspin by E. Y. Zhao - Registration required
Tue, May 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 12, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Happy Notes - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, May 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making uplifting cards for hospitalized kids! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 14, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Service Hour Drop In - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Sat, May 16, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Need some service hours? Join us in The Commons where we will have different service options once a month. For teens in grades 7-12.
ACT Practice Test
Sat, May 16, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the ACT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning.
Film Screening
Sat, May 16, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of a feature length film.
Galway Gals In Concert
Sun, May 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Join the Galway Gals for a concert of traditional Irish jigs, reels, folk, pop, rock and sentimental favorites.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 19, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
FilmTalkTuesdays: Four Daughters (2023) - Registration required
Tue, May 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
Babel-On with R. F. Kuang - In Conversation with Kelly Jensen / Registration Required
Wed, May 20, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Genre-bending fiction author R.F. Kuang will be joined in conversation with anti-censorship advocate Kelly Jensen. Register
20s & 30s Book Club: Red Rising by Pierce Brown - Registration required
Wed, May 20, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room C
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Imaginary Journey to Giverny - Monet - Artist and Gardener / Registration Required
Sat, May 23, 11:00am - 12:10pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Learn about Monet's garden, the plants that grew there, and the artworks they inspired.
Code Q - Social Club
Tue, May 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Are you or your best friend an LGBTQ teen? Join us and show your support as we watch movies, play games and interact about topics that support the LGBTQ youth. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, May 26, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Liberation Bookmarks - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, May 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making bookmarks for incarcerated youth! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, May 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
The Many Facets of Benjamin Franklin - Registration Required
Thu, May 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Dramatic portrayal of Benjamin Franklin by Terry Lynch.
Thursday Evening Book Discussion: Emma by Jane Austen - Registration required
Thu, May 28, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - 4th Floor Forum
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
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