Events for Women

By Ashley South

Meagan Kellermann, coordinator of external adult programming at the Naperville Library, is passionate about bringing diverse content to library patrons of all ages and backgrounds. Meagan’s goal is to ensure each topic is as relevant to a 20-year-old as it is to a 60-year-old.

As part of her job, Meagan attends conferences and events for ideas that she can bring back to our community. She and her team of two sift through content to curate experiences each month, which are presented to the manager of Adult Services for approval.

Over the years, the library has tailored its presentation times to account for the varied schedules of its patrons. They have a brown bag lecture series at 1:00 pm on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The presentation is truly lunch and a show. The library also presents programs at 7:00 pm on Thursdays and Wednesdays for people to attend after work. Timing and audience are considered for each presentation.

For March, programming includes history, STEM, and women’s empowerment! Each presenter is a woman this month. A sampling of upcoming programs includes the following:
The Why’s and When’s of Car Maintenance
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
7:00 pm to 8:15 pm

Chaya Milchtein, presenter, self-described “mechanic interpreter” breaks down car maintenance and timing. Learn when to perform specific maintenance tasks and why, including changing oil and filters, tire pressure, coolant and more. Become an educated consumer so you can protect your investment. Chaya also provides car classes and advice about purchasing, seasonal maintenance, and overall education via her blog and podcast. More can be found at http://www.mechanicshopfemme.com

Mary Anning – The Life and Times of the World’s First Female Paleontologist
Thursday, March 3, 2022
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Clare Evans, anglophile and former UK resident, is presenting on Mary Anning. Mary is considered to be the world’s first woman paleontologist. Mary became known around the world for finds she made in the cliffs along the English Channel. Although unacknowledged and uncredited by the scientific community in her own time, her findings contributed to changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life and the history of the Earth. The program is meant to highlight historical contributions women made in STEM and their influence on today.

An Evening with Madeline Miller
Thursday, March 3, 2022
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

An evening with Madeline Miller to discuss her books, Song of Achilles and Circe. Miller is a leader in Greek retellings, New York Times bestselling author, and Orange Prize for Fiction winner. Before she was a novelist, Madeline Miller earned her BA and MA in Classics from Brown University, and she taught and tutored Latin, Greek and Shakespeare to high school students for more than fifteen years. This program is presented in partnership with multiple Illinois libraries.

Rosie the Riveter (Star of the campaign to recruit women to the war efforts during WWII)
Thursday, March 17, 2022
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Lynn Rymarz, presenter, brings us the story of Geraldine Hoff Doyle, who believed herself to be the real woman behind the poster. Lynn will share not only Geraldine’s story but weave in stories of other real-life Rosies who stepped out of their traditional roles to support the war effort during WWII. She will also share the story of Millie Werber, a Jewish teenager from a Polish ghetto who ended up working in a factory that supported the Nazi war effort.

30 Things to do in Chicago Under $30
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm

From big museums to little-known attractions, learn how to take advantage of everything the beautiful city of Chicago has to offer—without breaking the bank. In this presentation, Jez Layman, librarian and professional speaker highlights 30 deals and free options to make the most of a weekend or staycation, ranging from history and culture to green spaces and quirky sites off the beaten path.

All programming is virtual in March. The library has become a digital space where previously they were not offering any digital programs. Currently, they are working on how to provide a hybrid space in a way that honors the programming.

Naperville Library
http://www.naperville-lib.org

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