Events
Industrious, irreverent, humble–though he may deny the accusation–Percival Everett, like his fiction, defies categorization. His most recent novel, James, earned both the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the National Book Award, and his 2001 novel Erasure inspired the film American Fiction, which received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2024.
Everett’s other titles include Dr. No, The Trees (finalist for the Booker Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction), Telephone (finalist for the Pulitzer Prize), So Much Blue, and I Am Not Sidney Poitier. Despite these accomplishments, he remains devoted to reviewing his own work critically, and indeed his writing process involves intensive research and revision. Tune in for our conversation with Percival Everett to get a glimpse beyond the page.
Brandis Friedman will moderate the event. Friedman is a writer and anchor for WTTW’s Chicago Tonight and Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, and also serves as a champion for libraries.
Register here. This event is intended for adults. Registration is required for this event and closes at 5:00 p.m. on event day. Late registrations will be processed after the live event, allowing access to the event recording.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Closed Captioning are provided for all events by default—no special request needed.
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Mar2011:00 am - 11:30 am CDT
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
Meditate with Gogo! This guided beginner-friendly session for adults will give you the tools you need to start your meditation and self-care journey. All are welcome to join, no prior experience is needed.
- Enhance Well-Being: Reduce stress and cultivate calm through guided meditation and self-awareness practices.
- Improve Focus and Productivity: Mindfulness increases clarity, sharpens attention, and supports emotional regulation.
- Build Emotional Resilience: Develop greater balance and inner peace through consistent self-care and grounding techniques.
- Support a Positive Culture: Encourage open-hearted communication and deeper connection amongst one another.
No registration is required.
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Mar2112:30 pm - 1:30 pm CDT
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
Join us as we bring intentions to small actions.
This month we will be reading No New Things by Ashlee Piper.
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Mar211:00 pm - 2:30 pm CDT0 spots available
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
The Veehive and Greenery, LLC's seed starting class is geared towards anyone looking to start their own produce focused garden. This class will teach you the different methods of seed starting, production planning, and will give you the opportunity to take home your own started seeds and educational information.
Registration is required. Space is limited.
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Mar2312:00 pm - 1:30 pm CDT
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
For 35 years and counting!
Join the Friends Book Discussion Group monthly on designated Mondays in the Conference Room at 12:00pm. Books will be available at the Patron Services desk one month in advance.
September 29 - Crying in H Mart (Michelle Zauner)
October 27 - The Professor and the Madman (Simon Winchester)
November 24 - The Phone Booth at the End of the World (Laura Imai Messina)
December - NO DISCUSSION SCHEDULED
January 26 - The Sweetness of Water (Nathan Harris)
February 23 - James (Percival Everett)
March 23 - The Emperor of Gladness (Ocean Vuong)
April 27 - Solito (Javier Zamora)
May 26* - My Friends (Fredrik Backman)
*May meeting will take place on a Tuesday.
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Mar249:15 am - 10:15 am CDT18 spots available
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
Nature's Gentle Tai Chi Gong with Brian Thompson
- Available In-Person. Start Time @ 9:15am-
Join Brain Thompson, Founder/ Wellness Innovator Speaker/ Healer of Bnew4life LLC as he demonstrates and lead participants in breathing, relaxation, self-calming and gentle movement techniques. These methods help address pandemic related stress, release pain and improve quality of life. Calming music will accompany the natural environment.
Tai chi is a system of movements and positions believed to have developed in 12th Century China. Tai chi techniques aim to address the body and mind as an interconnected system and are traditionally believed to have mental and physical health benefits.
Registration is Required for each Session
Registration will open on March 17th
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Mar2411:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT27 spots available
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
"Doc Talk"
Health & Wellness with Dr. Frank Vaught
-Available in person at 11:00AM-
Join Dr. Frank Vaught for an informative presentation on natural ways to heal your body.
Topic: Detox
Registration encouraged but not required.
Registration will open on March 17th
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Mar246:00 pm - 7:00 pm CDT
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
Celebrate Women's History Month with a very special visit from the one and only, Jane Austen!
Jane Austen visits you from the autumn of 1815. Her first three novels, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park are published, and Emma is complete. Jane visits with you at this, the most vibrant and hopeful time of her life. Drawing from her letters, juvenilia, and novels, this 45 minute performance delves into the personal life of one of the most beloved and intriguing novelists of the 19th century. Jane Austen speaks about her childhood in Steventon, her brothers and beloved sister Cassandra, and her writing. Learn about her exotic cousin Eliza, her mentor and friend Madame LeFroy and the loves and losses that shaped her life and informed her perception of the world. Suitable for both the casual reader of her novels and the most devoted "Janeite". By the end of the presentation, the audience will know more about Miss Jane Austen the woman, as well as the author. The presentation is followed by a Question & Answer period.
Registration is encouraged.
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Mar2511:30 am - 12:30 pm CDT
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
SESSIONS ARE FULL FOR MARCH
Ageless Strength & Mobility
-Available In-Person at the Library at 11:30am
Registration is required.
Registration will begin on February 25th
To register for this program, please contact Katherine Goosby
Join us on designated days for an interactive, instructional fitness session with fan-favorite instructor Arlene Santiago! We've taken Chair Yoga and graduated into something even more exciting: Ageless Strength & Mobility!
This program is available in-person at the library.
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Mar252:00 pm - 4:00 pm CDT20 spots available
Park Forest Public Library
Location
400 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL US 60466
Chess Club for Adults & Seniors
-Available in-person at the library-
Registration is Required and will open on March 4th
The Park Forest Public Library is excited to announce our Chess club for adults and seniors. This is a social club designed to build a community of chess players both new to the game and long time players.
Our goal is to provide a laid back welcoming place for adults to play and connect with other adults who love the game of chess.
This club is informal and self-instructed with no guided teaching. We encourage attendees to engage in friendly competition, introduce new players to the game, and help spread the love of chess.
Chess boards will be available, or feel free to bring your own.
Chess Club will meet twice a month on designated Wednesdays