Monday, September 9

Coming Soon to a Library Near You


The Big Read project continues through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Other programming and events related to it include a film and speaker series; The American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life performance of “The Things They Carried;” more than 25 book discussion groups; a Lao oral history project; and a special display of The Wall That Heals, a half-scale replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which will be on display behind city hall downtown Sept.


When: Wednesday September 18, 2013 - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Gail Borden Public Library at Elgin Room

For Gail Borden Public Library staff, The Big Read Committee, and The Big Read book discussion leaders:

This 45-60 minute presentation will provide you with tools to create a safe emotional environment for our Vietnam veterans so that they can share their stories, heal, and "come home" at last. Join author Deborah Grassman as she uses Vietnam veterans' stories to provide an enlightened perspective on the special needs of our Vietnam veterans. No registration.


When: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Gail Borden Public Library at South Elgin Room

For Gail Borden Public Library staff, The Big Read Committee, and The Big Read book discussion leaders:

This 45-60 minute presentation will provide you with tools to create a safe emotional environment for our Vietnam veterans so that they can share their stories, heal, and "come home" at last. Join author Deborah Grassman as she uses Vietnam veterans' stories to provide an enlightened perspective on the special needs of our Vietnam veterans. No registration.


When: Sunday, September 29, 2013 - 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Movie: We Were Soldiers and discussion
Where: Gail Borden Public Library at Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C

Discussion will follow and will be led by a Vietnam veteran or book club volunteer.

This recounting of true events during the Vietnam War is set in the Ia Drang Valley soon to be known as the Valley of Death. In a small clearing called landing zone X-Ray, Lt. Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson) and 450 young soldiers, all troopers from an elite American combat division, were surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. 137 minutes.


When: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Gail Borden Public Library at Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C

Elgin historian Jerry Turnquist recalls Elgin during the Vietnam War as told through the newspapers of the time. Images from the Courier News Collection will illustrate Elgin during the 1960s.


When: Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM Movie: Platoon and discussion
Where: Gail Borden Public Library at Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C

Discussion will follow and will be led by a Vietnam veteran or book club volunteer.

Director Oliver Stone examines the day-to-day existence of an infantry rifle platoon in Vietnam made up of 30 guys from all walks of life. Their loyalties are split into two factions by warring sergeants Barnes and Elias, (Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe) which results in a conflict that ends in tragedy. Starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen. 120 minute

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