Orland Park Public Library to Host "Wolves and Wild Lands" Traveling Exhibit during October

The Orland Park Public Library invites the community to explore the fascinating world of wolves this October through the traveling exhibit "Wolves and Wild Lands," presented by the International Wolf Center. The exhibit will be on display from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 on the library's second floor as part of the library's Orland Reads community reading initiative celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

This immersive exhibit explores the long and complex relationship between wolves and humans, examining how these remarkable animals once inhabited nearly every ecosystem in North America before habitat loss and human expansion dramatically reduced their range. Today, conservation efforts continue to foster greater understanding and coexistence between people and wolves.

Visitors will encounter six preserved taxidermy canids displayed within their natural and cultural contexts, including the Arctic Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Rocky Mountain Wolf, Great Plains Wolf, Red Wolf, and Coyote. Informative displays highlight each species' unique habitat, ecological role, and conservation story, offering an engaging educational experience for visitors of all ages.

The exhibit complements this year's Orland Reads selection, American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee, the remarkable true story of Yellowstone's legendary wolf O-Six and the ongoing conversation surrounding wolf conservation in America. Free copies of American Wolf will be available at select events and at the Adult Services Desk while supplies last. Middle-grade readers can read A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry, while younger readers can pick up Girl and the Wolf by Katherena Vermette.

In addition to the month-long exhibit, the library has planned a variety of educational and family-friendly programs inspired by the exhibit and the Orland Reads selection, including:

World of Wolves

Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Representatives from Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport will kick off the month by sharing fascinating information about wolves, their ecological importance, and the wildlife refuge's conservation efforts. Copies of American Wolf will be distributed while supplies last.

American Wolf Book Discussions

Adult readers are invited to discuss American Wolf during two book club meetings at the library:

Monday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

An Evening with Wolf Expert Rick McIntyre

Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Award-winning author and internationally recognized wolf researcher Rick McIntyre joins the library from Montana to discuss his decades studying Yellowstone wolves. He will share insights into wolf conservation, behavior, and the true stories behind American Wolf.

The library will also offer several youth and family programs celebrating wolves through stories, games, and hands-on activities, including:

What's the Time, Mr. Wolf? (Grades K-2) on Oct. 7

Library Buddies: Wolf Explorers for teens and younger children on Oct. 22

Orland Reads Family Book Club featuring A Wolf Called Wander on Nov. 3

"We're excited to bring this traveling exhibit to Orland Park and pair it with engaging programs that encourage our community to learn, read, and explore together,” said Library Director Mary Adamowski.

The "Wolves and Wild Lands" exhibit is free to visit during regular library hours throughout October. Registration is required for select programs. To learn more, register, or view the complete schedule of Orland Reads events, visit orlandparklibrary.org or call the library at (708) 428-5100.