Ins & Outs Newsletter: Summer 2026
Read featured articles from the 2026 spring Ins & Outs newsletter and find links to programs for all ages.
Another Genealogist Speaks
Local Genealogists Speak Podcast Series In January, we launched a new genealogy podcast series called “Local Genealogists Speak." This series is a monthly opportunity to hear from a local genealogist as they share their experiences with and knowledge about family history research. Each episode contains tips and suggestions which may be helpful for your own…
Passport to the Parks
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a community-wide scavenger hunt around Vernon Hills.
Jenny’s Pick of the Week: The Shippers
There’s something about the arrival of warmer weather that always puts me in the mood for a romantic comedy. Which is why, after experiencing exactly one warm day this spring, I felt compelled to crack open Katherine Center's upcoming release, The Shippers. This story was designed to be read outdoors and finished over a single,…
Stars & Parks Adventure
Bring your friends and family, and enjoy exploring Libertyville’s parks while celebrating 250 years of American history.
Hannah’s Pick of the Week: Bone of My Bone by Johanna Van Veen
"A little blood runs down my neck, I rub at it. "That's not very saintly of you," I say. Her bite does not pain me overly much, but the shock of it has loosened my tongue. "'Tis thine own fault for believing me some meek, martyred maid. Now heed me, you wretched wench: On the…
Erica’s Pick of the Week: This Story Might Save Your Life
These days, it’s rare for a book to keep me up late – in large part because I love sleep almost as much as I love reading. It takes a truly gripping title to disrupt bedtime. But thanks to its twisty plot, breakneck pacing, and appealing leads, Tiffany Crum’s debut, This Story Might Save Your…
Two AIs for Genealogy?
April is a perfect time to spring into something new! As flowers bloom, you can grow your knowledge and experience in ways that may help your genealogy. Sometimes, something new can help us with something older, just like new blooms grow from a bulb planted long ago. More specifically, a new tool like artificial intelligence…
Marianne’s Pick of the Week: Go Gentle
“It’s not Keep Calm and Carry On. It’s Change Your Perception So You Never Have to Keep Calm and Carry On. Stoics are very passionate people. The key is to be correct in your passions.” Go Gentle by Maria Semple Adora Hazzard is living her best life. A fifty-something divorcee residing in the historic…
Jenny’s Pick of the Week: The Anniversary
The Anniversary, a thriller by Alex Finlay, delivers a uniquely structured and gripping mystery that might just be his best work yet. Spanning a decade, from 1992 to 2001, the story is divided into ten chronological parts, each set on May 1 of a successive year. This structure creates a steady forward progression while deepening…