Celebrate National Library Week at the Indian Prairie Public Library

The Indian Prairie Public Library will celebrate National Library Week April 13-19 with two Big Read events and presentations by two local authors.

The Big Read program Songs of Woody Guthrie: American Balladeer, will take place Sunday, April 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. Folk singer, storyteller, and Autoharp virtuoso Adam Miller tells the true story of the man who wrote "This Land Is Your Land" through words and music. This program is being funded by The Friends of The Indian Prairie Public Library.

Another Big Read program, Walt Whitman: America's Poet, will take place Tuesday, April 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Whitman will be portrayed by R.J. Lindsey, who will share both stories of Whitman's life and readings of his poetry, including his masterpiece “Leaves of Grass” and his most popular poem, "O Captain! My Captain!.”

An Evening with “Breakfast Queen” Ina Pinkney will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. Pinkney, a well-known Chicago restaurateur, will share memories of her popular restaurant Ina's Kitchen, which was a Chicago institution for more than 33 years until it closed on Dec. 31, 2013. She will also sign copies of her recent book, Taste Memories, which she describes as "my love letter to the people I've fed for 33 years."

On Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m., national bestselling-author Bret Nicholaus and literary agent/editor Joseph Durepos will provide Secrets to Getting Your Book Published. The presentation will include information on how to write a query letter, how to answer publishers' questions, how to market your book, and how to decide which of today's many publishing options is best for you.

All programs are free and will take place in the Meeting Room on the second floor of the library, 401 Plainfield Rd. in Darien. Participants can register online at www.calendar.ippl.info, by phone at (630) 877-8760 x239, or in-person at the library’s Ask Us Desk.