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American Vacation: 12,000 Miles into the Wild West

Author Talk with Raluca Barbu
2026-07-16 18:00:00 2026-07-16 19:00:00 America/Chicago American Vacation: 12,000 Miles into the Wild West Starting in The Land of Lincoln, you will experience a 45-day tour across 19 states, you will ride along to discover 33 national, state, and tribal parks and corners hidden deep within North American Rakow Branch -

Thursday, July 16
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-07-16 18:00:00 2026-07-16 19:00:00 America/Chicago American Vacation: 12,000 Miles into the Wild West Starting in The Land of Lincoln, you will experience a 45-day tour across 19 states, you will ride along to discover 33 national, state, and tribal parks and corners hidden deep within North American Rakow Branch -

Starting in The Land of Lincoln, you will experience a 45-day tour across 19 states, you will ride along to discover 33 national, state, and tribal parks and corners hidden deep within North American

You will laugh and empathize with Raluca whenever she has to overcome her fears and limits, like climbing down rugged rocks in Spooky Gulch or reaching the summit of Mount White. What makes American Vacation special is the travel narrative that Raluca has brought back as a literary genre. In a world of Google reviews, travel blogs, and vacation guides she manages to shine a light on the lost art of travel memoirs.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Adult Programs |

TAGS: | |

Rakow Branch
Phone: 847-531-7271
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Earth Matters: Rethink the Future Exhibition
Wed, Jul 15, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Explore our changing planet through a different lens, immerse yourself in incredible ecosystems and learn how the smallest of actions can have a big impact on our natural world.
Bounce & Rhyme Storytime - Ages 0-3
Wed, Jul 15, 9:30am - 10:00am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs in this interactive Storytime.
Registration is now closed
Tiny Tales
Wed, Jul 15, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Enjoy an interactive storytime with your child that includes books, songs, music, and movement. For ages birth - age 2 with an adult caregiver. Drop-in program! No registration required.
Budding Bookworms Preschool Storytime - Ages 3-5
Wed, Jul 15, 10:15am - 10:45am
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
Preschoolers will enjoy stories, songs, and activities.
Registration is now closed
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Patio Playtime
Wed, Jul 15, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Designed for toddlers and preschoolers, this open-ended playtime encourages imagination and fun on our KidSpace outdoor patio. Drop in and play—weather permitting!
Tech Mobile Stop: Lords Park - The Great Tech Escape
Wed, Jul 15, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Mobile Services
Lords Park, Elgin, IL 60120
Elgin Genealogical Society Research Assistance
Wed, Jul 15, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - 2nd Floor - Genealogy
Receive one-on-one genealogy assistance from Elgin Genealogical Society volunteers.
Crafty Kids: 3D Creations - For Grades K-5
Wed, Jul 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox & Eagle Rooms
Build and create in 3D using a variety of materials! Kids will design and construct their own unique creations while exploring shapes, structure, and creativity.
This event is full
Bookbinding Crafternoon (Grades 6-12)
Wed, Jul 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270
Learn how to bind your own books, journals, and sketchbooks.
Teen Volunteer Hour
Wed, Jul 15, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
South Elgin Branch
Complete a hands-on volunteer project that benefits the library or one of our community outreach initiatives. Teen volunteers must complete the teen volunteer orientation before participating.
This event is full
Tech Mobile Stop: Ronald D O'Neal Elementary School
Wed, Jul 15, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Mobile Services
510 Franklin Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120
Empower Your Small Business - Know Your Rights and Resources
Wed, Jul 15, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms AB
Learn about resources available, network with other businesses, and share your experiences during this political climate.
Bookmobile Stop: Mulberry Grove Park
Wed, Jul 15, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mobile Services
1769 Newbridge Cir. Elgin
Tech Mobile Stop: James T. Gifford Park - The Great Tech Escape
Wed, Jul 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Mobile Services
355 Dupage St, Elgin, IL 60120
Bookmobile Stop: Ann St.
Wed, Jul 15, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Mobile Services
Ann St. South Elgin
Dungeons & Dragons Club (Grades 6-12)
Wed, Jul 15, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Studio 270
Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Dungeons & Dragons! No experience is necessary; we can teach you how to play.
This event is full
MS PowerPoint Basics
Wed, Jul 15, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Learn the basics of creating presentations in Microsoft Powerpoint 2019
Registration is now closed
Job Application Review - Revisión de Solicitudes de Empleo
Wed, Jul 15, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
South Elgin Branch
Drop in for 15-minute consultations for professional review of job application documents. Asiste sin cita para consultas de 15 minutos con revisión profesional de documentos de solicitud de empleo.
W.F.K. Travers’ Lincoln Portrait
Wed, Jul 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual
Nine feet tall, this lifelike portrait of Lincoln toured the U.S. Capitol, the 1876 Centennial Exposition, & more before settling in New Jersey. Hear the stories of this painting’s fascinating origin.
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Bookmobile Stop: Deer Pointe
Wed, Jul 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Mobile Services
Deer Pointe Dr. & Richmond Cir. South Elgin
MS Word Series
Wed, Jul 15, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
In this series, learn the fundamentals of Microsoft Word to create, format, edit and design. Sponsored by Comcast Internet Essentials.
Registration is now closed
Earth Matters: Rethink the Future Exhibition
Thu, Jul 16, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Main Library
Explore our changing planet through a different lens, immerse yourself in incredible ecosystems and learn how the smallest of actions can have a big impact on our natural world.
Preschool Explore and Play
Thu, Jul 16, 9:15am - 9:45am
Main Library - Story Room
Join us for time that preschoolers and caregivers can connect, play, and explore together. Registration required.
Device Advice
Thu, Jul 16, 9:30am - 11:30am
Rakow Branch
Get help with common tech issues like Microsoft Office, using a tablet, hotspots, syncing email with your phone, downloading content, and more. Drop in for personalized assistance at your library.
Story Mix for Birth-6
Thu, Jul 16, 10:00am - 10:30am
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Join us for an interactive storytime! Best for kids birth-6 years with an adult caregiver. All ages are welcome. Drop-in!
Piano Performance - Steve Yoder
Thu, Jul 16, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Lobby - Piano
Piano performance in the lobby by volunteer community members.
Drop In and DRAW with Ms. Carrie - Grades 1-5 (In person)- No registration required.
Thu, Jul 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Sally Lee Fox & Eagle Rooms
Do you love to draw? Ms. Carrie does. DROP IN for a drawing club where you can learn to draw a few items & then have time to color & share your creations. Each session will have a unique theme.
Star Wars: Code the Galaxy (Blockly Edition) Grades: 3-5 - South Elgin Branch
Thu, Jul 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Jump into a Star Wars adventure to guide droids, solve puzzles, and build your own mini-game. This beginner Hour of Code introduces core programming logic through iconic characters & challenges
This event is full
Book Bike - St. Francis Park - Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning
Thu, Jul 16, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Mobile Services
The book bike will have a variety of materials to check out for all ages. You will also be able to register for a library card! St. Francis Park 277 Jefferson Avenue, Elgin.
AI Quests: Google coding class Grades: 6 - 8 - South Elgin Branch
Thu, Jul 16, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
AI Quests is a story driven learning adventure from Google bringing middle school students into the world of artificial intelligence. The Minecraft activity has been replaced with this project.
Tiny Charms with Polymer Clay Crafternoon (Grades 6-12)
Thu, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Make tiny charms with polymer clay at this Crafternoon event!
This event is full
Tech Mobile Stop: Highland Elementary School
Thu, Jul 16, 2:45pm - 3:30pm
Mobile Services
190 N Melrose Ave, Elgin, IL 60123
Book Bites- July Edition! - VIRTUAL for Grades 2-5 on ZOOM
Thu, Jul 16, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Virtual - Kidspace - Zoom
Nothing pairs better with an afternoon snack than a great book! Grab a snack & a book you enjoyed & join Ms. Carrie for a ZOOM book chat. We'll share book "bites" & add new titles to our TBR lists.
Career Series
Thu, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
In this series, learn about and develop skills for success on resume building and job interviewing.
Registration is now closed
American Vacation: 12,000 Miles into the Wild West - Author Talk with Raluca Barbu
Thu, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rakow Branch
Starting in The Land of Lincoln, you will experience a 45-day tour across 19 states, you will ride along to discover 33 national, state, and tribal parks and corners hidden deep within North American
Mobile Makers Pop-Up with the Bookmobile - Adult Crafts at Lords Park
Thu, Jul 16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Mobile Services
Come make a craft and then check out some books on the Bookmobile at Lords Park
Grupo de Conversación para la Ciudadanía en inglés - En la biblioteca
Thu, Jul 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Conference Room
Usando material de USCIS que incluye preguntas de educación cívica, el formulario de solicitud y otros requisitos para la entrevista de ciudadanía. Este grupo de conversación es solo en inglés.
Summer Concert on the Lawn - The Illinois Brass Band
Thu, Jul 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Outdoor Stage
For the 250th, we present an all-American music program spanning early nation tunes, jazz, Dixieland, Broadway, Sousa marches, big band, film, pop, and patriotic favorite something for everyone.
Elgin Genealogical Society
Thu, Jul 16, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
Semi-monthly meeting of the Elgin Genealogical Society. No registration required.
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