Thomas Ford Memorial Library

Teens &amp; Tweens: Make your own pencil case out of a cereal box and some fun fabric! Available in the Teen/Tween Room. While supplies last.

Local Event: Cereal Box Pencil Cases Kit

Cook County

Western Springs

Illinois

Cereal Box Pencil Cases Kit

Teens & Tweens: Make your own pencil case out of a cereal box and some fun fabric! Available in the Teen/Tween Room. While...

Preschool-1st Grade:&nbsp;Come listen to a reading of Ryan T. Higgins' book We Don't Eat Our Classmates. Afterwards, we will make a dinosaur craft to take home.

Local Event: Read & Create: We Don't Eat Our Classmates

Read & Create: We Don't Eat Our Classmates

Preschool-1st Grade: Come listen to a reading of Ryan T. Higgins' book We Don't Eat Our Classmates. Afterwards, we will make a...

Local amateur investors meet to discuss trends in investing. For more information, contact George Rotter at <a href="mailto:gfrotter@yahoo.com">gfrotter@yahoo.com</a>.

Local Event: Investment Discussion Group

Investment Discussion Group

Local amateur investors meet to discuss trends in investing. For more information, contact George Rotter at gfrotter@yahoo.com.

Interested in learning about American Mah Jongg and how to play? Join this instructional program where tiles and cards will be provided and participants will learn how to set up and play the game. No experience necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local Event: Intro to Mah Jongg

Intro to Mah Jongg

Interested in learning about American Mah Jongg and how to play? Join this instructional program where tiles and cards will be...

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

Local Event: Film Discussion: Marty Supreme (2025)

Film Discussion: Marty Supreme (2025)

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

Tweens-Adults: The Western Springs Writers' Society welcomes all writers from the community to discuss and hone their craft with other local writers. Whether this is your career or hobby, writers of all levels and genres are invited. Questions in advance? Please contact Jim Swinehart at jrswinehart10@gmail.com.

Local Event: Western Springs Writers' Society

Western Springs Writers' Society

Tweens-Adults: The Western Springs Writers' Society welcomes all writers from the community to discuss and hone their craft...

Children, Families: Calling all wiggle worms! Join us at the library to read some fun stories and dance to some playful songs.&nbsp;Registration will open on September 3, 2026 @ 9:30am.

Local Event: Movers and Shakers

Movers and Shakers

Children, Families: Calling all wiggle worms! Join us at the library to read some fun stories and dance to some playful...

Come to the Youth Services Department to pick up a bag with a craft inside! Crafts are left over from previous programs and are available while supplies last. Which craft will you take home?

Local Event: Mystery Craft Kits

Mystery Craft Kits

Come to the Youth Services Department to pick up a bag with a craft inside! Crafts are left over from previous programs and are...

Come join our Mah Jongg group for a relaxed setting to play, knowledge of the game or prior experience required. Players will be sorted by self-ranked skill level and questions are welcome. Sets of tiles and cards will be provided, along with some assistance in game play.&nbsp;

Local Event: Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

Come join our Mah Jongg group for a relaxed setting to play, knowledge of the game or prior experience required. Players will...

Children, Families: What’s a better way to end the day than with a story? Join us for a calming evening story read-aloud where the dress code is PJs and comfy clothes.&nbsp;Registration will open on September 3, 2026 @ 9:30am.

Local Event: Goodnight, Library

Goodnight, Library

Children, Families: What’s a better way to end the day than with a story? Join us for a calming evening story read-aloud where...

Teens &amp; Tweens: Create your own customized smoothie with all your favorite ingredients.&nbsp;

Local Event: Fruit Smoothies

Fruit Smoothies

Teens & Tweens: Create your own customized smoothie with all your favorite ingredients. 

Virtual Program/Thomas Ford Memorial Library

This is a virtual class led by Kristyn Slick. A recording will be emailed to all registrants after the program. Even if you are unable to attend the live event, please register if you would like to receive the recording.&nbsp;
Warm up your kitchen with a cozy night making flavorful, satisfying bowls of chili perfect for busy fall evenings. Learn how to build depth of flavor, customize your chili to your taste, and pair it with simple sides for a complete meal.

Local Event: Classroom Kitchen: Chili Night

Classroom Kitchen: Chili Night

This is a virtual class led by Kristyn Slick. A recording will be emailed to all registrants after the program. Even if you are...

No charge, no registration: all knitters and crafters are welcome for conversation and inspiration.&nbsp;

Local Event: Knitting Circle

Knitting Circle

No charge, no registration: all knitters and crafters are welcome for conversation and inspiration. 

Bring your ideas and imagination to the Library to create a LEGO model! The Library will provide LEGO bricks for this program.

Local Event: Ford LEGO Creators

Ford LEGO Creators

Bring your ideas and imagination to the Library to create a LEGO model! The Library will provide LEGO bricks for this program.

Virtual Programming via IllinsLirresent/Thomas Ford Memorial Library

Register for this virtual event: <a href="https://bit.ly/ILPS6KarenHaoRegistration" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/ILPS6KarenHaoRegistration</a> Note: Registration is limited to Thomas Ford patrons. The deadline to register is 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event to allow time to process and approve registrations.
Join a timely conversation with Karen Hao, award-winning journalist and author of Inside the Empire of AI. In this virtual event, Hao will explore the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, the social, political, and ethical questions surrounding AI development today, and the questions posed in her work – Will AI produce broad-based societal benefit for all? Or return us to an age of empire? The path forward is in our hands. Whether you’re excited about AI, cautious about it, or just trying to understand the hype, this event offers an accessible look at one of today’s biggest technological shifts. Karen Hao is the instant New York Times bestselling author of Empire of AI and named one of the most influential people in AI by Time. She is lead designer of the Pulitzer Center’s AI Spotlight series as well as co-host of BBC’s podcast, The Interface. The first journalist to ever profile OpenAI, Hao was formerly a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, covering American and Chinese tech companies, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work has been cited by Congress, featured in university curriculums, and remade into museum exhibits. ModeratorReanna Esmail, Lead Librarian for Instruction at Cornell University and a prominent voice in critical digital pedagogy and intellectual freedom, will join Karen Hao in conversation. This event is intended for adults. 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 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.

Local Event: Inside the Empire of AI with Karen Hao

Inside the Empire of AI with Karen Hao

Register for this virtual event: https://bit.ly/ILPS6KarenHaoRegistration  Note: Registration is limited to Thomas Ford...

Teens &amp; Tweens: Teen Board can be a great way to earn volunteer hours! If you have ideas for how the library can better serve teens and tweens, come join us! The Teen Board implements programming suggestions, recommends books, and gives input for ways to entice other teens to visit the library. We do a fun craft or activity every meeting!

Local Event: Teen Board

Teen Board

Teens & Tweens: Teen Board can be a great way to earn volunteer hours! If you have ideas for how the library can better serve...

Children, Familes: The Western Springs Police Department is coming to the Library for a special storytime! Join us for police-themed stories, fun songs, and learn what it means to be a police officer.
This is a drop in event, no registration required.

Local Event: Reading with the Police

Reading with the Police

Children, Familes: The Western Springs Police Department is coming to the Library for a special storytime! Join us for...

Ages 3.5-5: Come and explore all possible things you can build with a Rigamajig and other building sets for fun, free-play building!

Local Event: Little Explorers Club

Little Explorers Club

Ages 3.5-5: Come and explore all possible things you can build with a Rigamajig and other building sets for fun, free-play...

Interested in learning to crochet? Join us for an introductory class to learn this fiber art from a member of our knitting/crochet circle. Yarn and hooks will be provided to the participants to learn on, and take home to continue crafting.

Local Event: Intro to Crochet

Intro to Crochet

Interested in learning to crochet? Join us for an introductory class to learn this fiber art from a member of our...

Children, Families: Little Miss Ann is a nationally touring, award-winning family music artist. She is also a former Chicago Public School Teacher, an instructor at the Old Town School of Folk Music, a first-generation Filipina American and a social rights activist. Ann’s musical themes will inspire kids to let their own light shine in their own families as well as in their communities!

Local Event: Little Miss Ann Music Concert

Little Miss Ann Music Concert

Children, Families: Little Miss Ann is a nationally touring, award-winning family music artist. She is also a former Chicago...

Christine Ricker

David Giuliani

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Public Relations Representative, Thomas Ford Memorial Library

La Grange

DuPage County

Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills

Oak Brook

Burr Ridge

Darien

Lisa Marie Farver

Downers Grove

Forest Park

Elmhurst

Oak Park-River Forest

Woodridge

Sports Core Soccer Fields

The Oak Brook Healing Field, presented by True Patriots Care, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, with a powerful display of 2,977 American flags honoring the men and women who lost their lives that day. Each flag will include a biography, helping visitors connect with the individual stories behind the tribute.
Open 24 hours a day, the Healing Field invites the community to walk among the flags for a meaningful experience of remembrance, reflection and unity. The event will also include opening and closing ceremonies, along with daily programs honoring the lives lost and the lasting legacy of September 11.

Local Event: Healing Field

Healing Field

The Oak Brook Healing Field, presented by True Patriots Care, will commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, with...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Posting Activity

Cereal Box Pencil Cases Kit

SEP

8

9:30 AM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Read & Create: We Don't Eat Our Classmates

SEP

8

4:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Investment Discussion Group

SEP

8

7:15 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Intro to Mah Jongg

SEP

9

2:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Film Discussion: Marty Supreme (2025)

SEP

10

6:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Western Springs Writers' Society

SEP

10

7:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Movers and Shakers

SEP

12

10:00 AM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Mystery Craft Kits

SEP

14

9:30 AM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Mah Jongg Meet-Up Play

SEP

15

2:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Goodnight, Library

SEP

15

6:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Fruit Smoothies

SEP

16

3:45 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Classroom Kitchen: Chili Night

SEP

16

6:30 PM

Western Springs, IL

Knitting Circle

SEP

17

1:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Ford LEGO Creators

SEP

17

4:00 PM

Thomas Ford Memorial Library, 800 Chestnut St, Western Springs, IL

Inside the Empire of AI with Karen Hao

SEP

17

7:00 PM

Western Springs, IL

Teen Board