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Spotlight on Black Excellence:

Aaliyah Merrick and Delano Dunn
2026-06-17 19:00:00 2026-06-17 20:00:00 America/Chicago Spotlight on Black Excellence: Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A

Wednesday, June 17
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-06-17 19:00:00 2026-06-17 20:00:00 America/Chicago Spotlight on Black Excellence: Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A

Join us for an evening spotlighting the talents of two Chicago artists, Aaliyah Merrick and Delano Dunn. The event will feature an artist talk, a reading, and more.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Teen Program | America's 250th | Adult Program | 20s/30s Program |

TAGS: | |

Des Plaines Public Library
help@dppl.org
Phone: (847) 827-5551
Fax: (847) 827-7974
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Mon, May 25 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, May 26 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, May 27 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, May 28 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, May 29 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Sat, May 30 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 31 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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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.

Upcoming events

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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.
The Canvas Photography Contest
Mon, Jun 01, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Capture the community of Des Plaines, IL! Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community.
The Wiz ( 1978)
Tue, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Celebrate our first Juneteenth series with the film showing of The Wiz. - Run time: 2.5 hours.
Ladies of the 80's Karaoke Night
Wed, Jun 03, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A 20's and 30's program. Come turn back time and sing to tunes of the 80's! Must be 21+. 
Getting Your Distributions Right in Retirement! - Registration Required
Thu, Jun 04, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Rule of Thumb for Distributions in Retirement.
Intro to The Commons - Drop-in
Thu, Jun 04, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Join us in The Commons where we will show you the ins and outs of our teen space. For incoming seventh graders or any teen that has yet to explore our space.
Friday Night Films - Blue Moon / Registration Required
Fri, Jun 05, 6:30pm - 8:15pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the independent film Blue Moon.
Life Drawing at the Library 2026
Sat, Jun 06, 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.  
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: The Caretaker by Ron Rash - Registration required
Tue, Jun 09, 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.
American Flag Ribbon Wand - Drop In
Thu, Jun 11, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in every Thursday in June to make yourself and others an American Flag Ribbon Wand for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jun 11, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Inside the Obama Presidential Center - Registration Required
Thu, Jun 11, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us for a special virtual presentation exploring the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Obama Presidential Center. Register
Film Screening - Marty Supreme / Registration Required
Sat, Jun 13, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the feature film Marty Supreme.
FilmTalkTuesdays: Paper Moon (1973) - Registration required
Tue, Jun 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
Red, White, and Blue Beaded Bracelets - Drop In
Wed, Jun 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in to make yourself and others a red, white, and blue beaded bracelet for the 4th of July Parade.
American Flag Ribbon Wand - Drop In
Thu, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in every Thursday in June to make yourself and others an American Flag Ribbon Wand for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jun 18, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
American Flag Ribbon Wand - Drop In
Thu, Jun 25, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in every Thursday in June to make yourself and others an American Flag Ribbon Wand for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jun 25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
ACT Practice Test
Sat, Jun 27, 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.
Service Hour Drop In - Red, White, and Blue Beaded Bracelets
Sat, Jun 27, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Need some service hours? Drop in to make yourself and others a red, white, and blue beaded bracelet for the 4th of July Parade. For teens in grades 7-12.
Hello Norma Jeane: Movies of Marilyn Monroe
Sat, Jun 27, 10:30am - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Celebrate Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday by watching two of her most acclaimed movies.
Frida Kahlo: A Woman Who Dared - Performance by Linda Marie Smith / Registration Required
Sun, Jun 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Linda Marie Smith's tribute to Frida Kahlo combines music, evocative visuals, and storytelling to create a deeply immersive atmosphere.
The Canvas Photography Contest
Wed, Jul 01, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Capture the community of Des Plaines, IL! Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community.
Red, White, and Blue Beaded Bracelets - Drop In
Wed, Jul 01, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Drop in to make yourself and others a red, white, and blue beaded bracelet for the 4th of July Parade.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jul 02, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Teen Take & Make - Beaded Hair
Mon, Jul 06, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - 3rd Floor
Take & Make Kits are fun crafts you can take home and make on your own time. Drop in to pick up your kit throughout the month! Available while supplies last. For teens in grades 7-12.
Old Fashioned Candy Taste Test
Thu, Jul 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Join us as we taste a series of old fashioned candies and try to determine which one is the best.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jul 09, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
SAT Practice Test
Sat, Jul 11, 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.
Life Drawing at the Library 2026
Sat, Jul 11, 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.  
Film Screening
Sat, Jul 11, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of a feature length film.
Teen Take & Make - Beaded Hair
Mon, Jul 13, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - 3rd Floor
Take & Make Kits are fun crafts you can take home and make on your own time. Drop in to pick up your kit throughout the month! Available while supplies last. For teens in grades 7-12.
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: Leave Only Footprints - Registration required
Tue, Jul 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.
20s & 30s Book Club: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Jones - Registration required
Wed, Jul 15, 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, Jul 16, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
See all events