On July 10, 2010, Aspen Drive Library opened its doors for the first time and welcomed the Vernon Hills community into a bright, modern space designed for connection, learning, and growth. What began as a long-awaited solution to a growing population’s needs has become a beloved destination serving thousands each year. 

A Look Back  

The journey to Aspen Drive Library’s opening was years in the making [1]. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Cook Memorial Public Library District faced challenges due to a growing population, limited space at its Libertyville location, and increasing demand for library services in the southern part of the district. Despite several attempts to pass referendums to expand the library footprint in Libertyville, the need for additional space remained clear. To address these constraints, the district opened the Evergreen Interim Library in 2003 inside Vernon Hills Village Hall, providing a temporary solution while plans for a permanent library took shape. 

The most rewarding time in my career was watching the community
come through the doors of the new building for the first time.

— Lauren Cerniglia, Assistant Director

When Aspen officially opened in 2010, it didn’t take long [2] for it to become a central part of life in Vernon Hills. Since then, we’ve grown in all kinds of ways — adding digital resources, creating programs for all ages, and adjusting to what our community needs most. From the launch of the Workshop to the addition of study rooms and meeting spaces, every change has been made with you in mind. Over the years, we’ve checked out millions of books, hosted thousands of programs, and created so many memories with our patrons. 

By the Numbers: Visitors

• 9,935 visitors — Last month of Evergreen Interim Library, June 2010
• 22,749 visitors — First month of Aspen Drive Library, July 2010

Share Your Library Memory

Impact on the Community  

Aspen Drive Library quickly became a favorite spot in town — so much so that it was sometimes hard to find an open seat, especially in the children’s department! It was clear from the beginning that the community was ready for a space like this. The high usage led to a major expansion in 2019. A 15,000-square-foot addition was completed to help meet growing demand. 

By the Numbers: Building Size Pre- and Post-Expansion

• 20,000 square feet — Original building, 2010–2019
• 35,000 square feet — After expansion, 2019–present

Of course, the Library is about much more than just books. Over the years, we’ve teamed up with local organizations to offer literacy programs, job workshops, and cultural events. Our summer reading program has sparked a love of reading in thousands of young readers, and our technology services have helped bridge the digital divide. Aspen is a place where people from all walks of life come together to learn, create, and connect. 

By the Numbers: Collection Size

• 35,370 items — Evergreen Interim Library, June 2010
• 53,376 items — Aspen Drive Library, June 2010
• 88,972 items — Aspen Drive Library, March 2025

Looking Ahead  

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking forward. We’re excited about what’s ahead — from expanding digital and physical services to making our spaces even more welcoming. No matter what the future holds, one thing stays the same: our commitment to serving you and being a place where the community can come together to learn and grow. 

Tell us your Aspen Drive Library story! 

Help us celebrate 15 years of Aspen Drive Library! Share memories, upload photos or documents, or tell us how you use our Vernon Hills location. Submissions may be edited for length and used in upcoming publicity material.

Sources:

1.  Daily Herald, 4 July 2010, p.1 and p.4.
2. Libertyville Review, 28 July 2011, p.9.

The Passage Rouge Nation of Lake Superior Anishinaabe in Wisconsin is a microcosm of small-town politics with the added complications of being a sovereign nation.   “What happens when the rez dog finally catches up with the car” is a question our main character, Mitch, asks himself a few times – with varying answers throughout Jon Hickey’s Big Chief.  There are riots, family drama, a little romance and lots of politics.  Mitch Caddo is a political fixer for his friend, Mack Beck.  The title works on a couple levels, but when we meet Mack, he’s getting out of a massive bulletproof tricked-out pickup truck with the aforementioned name.  The title also alludes to questions of identity.  Mitch has lived away from the reservation for some time while getting his law degree, and he wants to support the nation but struggles with figuring out his place in this society.  Complicating things is Layla Beck – Mitch’s childhood friend and former love interest.  Layla works for Gloria Hawkins, who’s running against Mack in the upcoming election for Tribal President.  Layla and Mack were raised by a well-meaning white family, so yes, things get sticky to say the least.  

While Mitch has inured himself to a lot of past trauma, the ghosts of both his mother and adoptive father, Joe, are never far away.  In the following passage, Mitch is being gently lectured by a well-meaning elder and is reminded of his mother: 

“The voice of self-reproach sounds an awful lot like her voice.  Sometimes it feels like I can’t miss her, because her spirit, lost in the woods, follows me everywhere I go, giving me that kind of motherly love that tells me that I’m doing something wrong, that I’ve lost my way like she has, that I’m just as much of a ghost as she is.  Or I might as well be.”

Hickey’s writing is promising – while he manages to pack a lot into the book, it is mostly done with a deft hand.  My only quibble is overuse of the word “ursine” to describe the out-sized Mack and a few other vocabulary choices.  However, any questionable stylistic choices are more than made up for by the unforgettable characters and propulsive plot of this promising new literary voice.

“I could not hear even one of them over the screaming wind. But that is a sight that will never leave me. The waves of earth crashing over the prairie. The sky exhaling all her birds.“

Karen Russell, The Antidote, pg. 23

Uz, Nebraska, is full of ghosts; ghosts of regrets, of accidents, of mistakes that make it difficult to breathe in. That’s what the Prairie Witch is there for. She takes in these memories as a “vault,” a bank for traumas. The Antidote (as the Prairie Witch is known) holds onto the violence enacted onto the bodies of the citizens of Uz. But when the Black Sunday dust storm hits, The Antidote wakes up 15 pounds lighter: she’s become bankrupt, the memories gone from her stores.

The Antidote studies the collision of Uz’s denizens with the everyday trials of life in 1930’s Nebraska. Harp Oletsky, a Polish-American farmer, contends with the arrival of his niece, Del, after his sister’s murder. Del lives purely for playing basketball after her mother’s death, only for her to enter into The Antidote’s orbit. In between, interludes supplied by a scarecrow break up the ongoing threads of Uz’s local politics. Later, New Deal photographer Cleo Allfrey enters the picture in order to create marketing for what Harp calls “Roosevelt’s alphabet soup agencies.”

Russell interweaves each of these characters with a finesse that’s only balanced out by the flintiness of the people themselves. Historical fiction meets magical realism, with the threat of ecological catastrophe always looming large. I think it’s safe to say The Antidote barrels to the occasion as one of the most enrapturing portrayals of violence begetting violence in an era in which you are expected to grin and bear what you can get, dust in your teeth and all. The Antidote is a great next read for those who enjoyed Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips and Betty by Tiffany McDaniel.

We’ve got our eyes on the end of May for the reopening! While we wait for more details, here’s a look at some exciting progress from April — plus an update on the upcoming name change for the space.

Notable Milestones This Month

• A brand-new Information Desk
• Installation of lighting

• New cabinets and shelves

Information Desk

Removing the DVD wall that once separated the children’s computer area from the Check Out Desk opened up the space significantly. In its place, we’ve added a larger, more welcoming entrance — and a vibrant new Information Desk now greets visitors as they enter!

“How cool is this? The desktop of our new Information Desk is made of recycled materials! Not only is it functional and beautiful, it’s also helping the environment.”

– Rob, Children’s Librarian

Lighting

We loved the vibrant, playful design of Aspen Drive Library’s Children’s expansion in 2019 and wanted to bring that same spirit — and a cohesive look — to Cook Park Library. One way we’ve done that is through lighting. The organic-shaped fixture above the new Information Desk echoes the feel of Aspen’s design. Look up next time you visit — you’ll spot a bright blue, amoeba-like shape hanging from the ceiling!

Another standout feature is in the Middle School Zone, where large circular ceiling lights provide a warm, welcoming glow — perfect for reading, homework, or hanging out. You’ll also notice colorful panels throughout the space that echo the shape of the lights

“I’m excited to have a dedicated space for middle schoolers to hang out, attend programs, and enjoy everything the Library has to offer! This new space will only enhance what we already have!”

– Kevin, Middle School Librarian

Cabinets, Shelves, and Furniture

What’s a library without shelves and cabinets to hold all the good stuff? In place of the old Information Desk, you’ll now find three large storage cabinets that will house all the fun extras, like Nintendo Switches for in-library play, extra toys, craft supplies, and more.

While the bookshelves aren’t fully installed just yet, they’re on their way — and we can’t wait to see how the space comes to life once the full collection returns.

“I can’t wait for the beautiful new colors on everything from the furniture to the walls and floors! It brings so much life, energy, and fun to the children’s area.”

– Amy, Student Services Coordinator

Introducing: Youth Services

We are excited to announce another significant change at both Library locations: Children’s Services is being renamed to Youth Services. While this update might seem subtle, it better reflects our commitment to serving a wide range of ages, from babies through 8th graders. This change applies to both Cook Park Library in Libertyville and Aspen Drive Library in Vernon Hills.

View all Renewal Project updates here.

Have you tested your DNA for genealogical purposes? Are you curious about how DNA could help your family history research? Tomorrow (April 25) is National DNA Day, a day that celebrates the achievements in DNA research since the earliest days. Did you know that DNA research began in the nineteenth century (1869, to be precise!)? Since then, amazing strides have been made, and many of these advancements make genetic genealogy possible.

Did you know that your genetic tree is different than your family tree? That’s right! Your genetic tree is only comprised of the ancestors from whom you inherited DNA, and the amount you inherited is somewhat random and diminishes with each generation. That means, you can have folks on your family tree (much larger) with whom you do not share DNA. That does not mean you are less related to them; however, you do not have DNA from them. Interestingly, your sibling(s) or first cousin(s) might, so it is always fun to test together and compare. Speaking of cousins, you may also have cousins that you know for certain are your cousins because you share common ancestor(s); however, you may not share DNA or match on a DNA website!

If you have tested your DNA at one of the genealogy sites (e.g., Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA, Living DNA, MyHeritage, etc.), you know how valuable our genetic code can be. You can find distant cousins and other relatives which can help you build out your family tree and break through various brick walls. For those who are considering testing, there are often a lot of sales around this annual celebration, so you have various options but several factors to consider. Thankfully, there are many resources available to learn more! At the library, we have numerous books that can help you better understand DNA and its promise for genealogical research. Many of these books are currently on display on the Lower Level (across from the genealogy section) at Cook Park Library! More recently, there have been quite a few genetic genealogy fiction books written as well, so you can learn about the power of DNA through these stories and mysteries.

With genetic genealogy, you have the possibility to test in at least three different ways. First, there is autosomal DNA testing which is the most common and tests your 22 chromosome pairs (sans the sex chromosomes). These are housed in the nucleus of a cell and were inherited from both of your parents. Many tools, like chromosome browsers, allow you to separate and figure out which parent gave you certain segments of DNA. This can then help you identify which ancestor likely contributed it, especially when it is paired with your DNA matches. Second, there is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing which allows you to test the DNA that is housed within the mitochondria of a cell. Often called “the powerhouse of the cell,” mitochondria have unique DNA structures that were passed down directly to you through your maternal line. Mothers pass along this genetic information to their children directly, and it does not mix with DNA from your father. Finally, there is Y-DNA testing which allows biological males to test their Y sex chromosome. This chromosome is passed directly from father to son, so only someone born with a Y chromosome can test; however, many women in genealogy have found ways to test their brothers, uncles, and male cousins to gain valuable insights into their family trees. Both mitochondrial and Y-DNA testing can take you back thousands of years, before print records existed. Currently, only one company (FamilyTreeDNA) offers these two tests.

DNA has also led to surprise discoveries and hidden secrets, and this reality must be acknowledged as well. These discoveries and secrets have both positive and negative consequences. If you are interested in reading about these, you may want to consider reading What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed by Gail Lukasik. In the book, she shares stories from many different people and details how DNA discoveries have unearthed challenging information for many. She also shares the ways that many people have processed these hidden secrets.

Enjoy and celebrate the wonders of DNA! It is something we all have in common.

Families are the compass that guide us.” Brad Henry

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith is a family drama filled with laughs, heart, and road trips.

The Endicotts, by anyone’s measure, are extraordinary (emphasis on the extra). Jude is an Oscar-nominated actor; Roddy is an elite athlete, and Connor is a prize-winning author. Only Gemma, a marketing specialist, is “ordinary.” How did so many stars come from one family?

Well, the four siblings grew up with a mother who abandoned them to pursue an acting career (which never took off) and a father who was emotionally absent. Their mother would return every summer to take them on a road trip. Clearly these kids were trying to get some adult to pay attention.

Until one trip, when Jude and Roddy (who are twins) were fourteen and their mother set fire to the car with Jude locked inside. Their father did not allow any of the children to speak to their mother again.

As youngsters the Endicotts were tight but now they have now drifted apart not having talked in three years. Mostly, because Connor wrote a best-selling novel based on their childhoods. Out of nowhere, Jude sends a text in the little used group chat asking all the siblings to gather in a tiny North Dakota town (in February, no less). She does not disclose to the group that she has two big secrets to share.  We get a weekend of laughs, arguments and tears a la The Big Chill. Through alternating chapters we explore each sibling’s memories of the past. Isn’t it interesting how people can remember the same events so differently?

Smith explores how the actions of our parents have an effect on us, not only in childhood, but all the way into adulthood.  Each sibling reacts to their parents’  actions by becoming “the extra” version of their childhood selves. Readers get a story full of sentiment and feelings. We are reminded that while families are complex they are indeed our compass and guide us.  The ending is bittersweet, real, and complicated – just like life.

Pick up Fun for the Whole Family if you enjoyed Sandwich by Catherine Newman or Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

April 27–May 3

Preserve Your Family Memories & Local History

Celebrate Digital Preservation Week with a special Library service: the opportunity to have your cherished family photos scanned and preserved digitally! In-person drop-off; first come, first served.

Drop-Off:

• Drop off your photos in person between April 27–May 3 at the Aspen Drive or Cook Park Library Information Desk.
• Limited to the first 20 patrons, up to five photos each, no larger than 11″x17”.
• Patrons with local family connections can choose to donate a copy of the digital images to the Libertyville Historical Society.

Pick-Up:

• Library staff will contact you when your photos are ready for pick-up.
• Original photos may be picked up at the Library building where they were dropped off.
• You will also receive a flash drive with 300dpi digital copies of the photos and a handout with tools and tips for digitizing more material at the Library.

Questions?

Stop by the Information Desk or give us a call.

Digitization Services at the Library

Learn more about how you can digitize your own material at the library.

Book time in Digital Studio 2

This fully equipped digitization station allows users to convert and archive analog photo, audio, and video into digital formats. Also features a Cricut cutting machine. Learn more and reserve space on the Digital Studios webpage.

Attend a Studio Workshop

Register for a short, 30-minute workshop on a variety of Digital Studio topics, including how to set up recording sessions; digitize VHS tapes, cassettes, and vinyl records; scan photos, slides, and negatives; and get familiar with the Cricut machine. View the schedule on our event calendar.

Need Assistance?

• Local History Help
• Genealogy Help

Spring is in the air, and it’s a perfect time to cultivate your genealogy skills and dig into something new to expand your knowledge! It is also a great time to grow as a genealogist, particularly if you are feeling a little green about certain aspects of the research. The seeds you plant today will likely bloom into something you can enjoy for seasons to come!

Did you know that we have an entire section of genealogy books on the Lower Level at Cook Park Library that you can check out and take home? That’s right! These books can be yours for a few weeks with a library card. You can find them across from the glass Conference Room.

The books all have orange tape on their spines. When you search for them online, they will say “Available at Cook Park Lower Level Adult Nonfiction.”

In this section, we have books that introduce genealogy and give tips, and we have books that focus on certain aspects of genealogy (e.g., DNA, newspapers, etc.). We also have books that explore countries/regions like Ireland and Germany and ethnicities like Polish and Scottish. There are many others as well. Stop by the library to explore these for yourself!

If you are new to genealogy, this collection has many books that will help you learn the basics. As you will find, genealogy is a hobby where you can always learn something new, but there are some basic steps that everyone takes in the beginning. Depending upon your ancestral identities, you may find that you explore particular records or regions later. To get you started, check out these options.

If you are looking to advance your genealogy skills and knowledge, check out the books related to specific ethnicities and countries/regions and particular research resources like DNA, newspapers, etc. There is always something else that we can learn to advance our research!

Behind the circulating collection, there are literally hundreds more books that can be used in the library. When you search for them online, they will say “Available at Cook Park Lower Level Adult Reference” and have Genealogy Ref in the call number. You are free to copy and scan the information that you find.

We look forward to seeing you on the Lower Level soon! Let us know if you have any questions.

Rumors swirl around the abandoned orphanage, Coram House.  It sits perched on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont – and it’s purported to be haunted by the ghosts of residents who may have been abused or killed by the very people who were there to care for them. Ghost-writer Alex Kelley comes to this assignment with ghosts of her own; her husband has been dead for three years, and while a once-successful writer, her last turn at a crime tell-all was a disaster.  Eager for a fresh start, she takes an assignment to work with a wealthy lawyer who’s got his own reasons for revisiting the tragedies that took place at Coram House.  She’s tasked with going through piles of files and watching police interviews on old VHS tapes.  One former resident plays a key role in the investigation and the nuanced details paint a vivid portrait:

“Sarah Dale’s hand goes to the top button of her blouse, just below her throat, and twists, as if trying to loosen the collar.  Then she goes still and looks right at the camera.  You can leave Coram House but you can’t leave it behind.”

While this could have been a run-of-the-mill thriller, Seybolt’s debut shows skills equal to more experienced authors.  Characters are well-written and complicated, and locations are so detailed, you may need to grab a blanket and turn up the lights as this book is a chiller.  Coram House is reminiscent of the Dublin Murder Squad books by Tana French and Dennis Lehane’s Shutter Island; the orphanage and the lake that fronts it almost feel like characters themselves. I like my mysteries with emotional heft, and towards the end, our narrator has a moment of real insight: 

 …”because love is a debt paid only in loss eventually, one way or another.  You cannot open the door to one without the other.  But you also never know what will come next.  Joy on the heels of sorrow on the heels of joy. And we don’t get to pick.”

If your curiosity has been piqued, you may also want to check out the non-fiction story this was based on: Ghosts of the Orphanage: a story of mysterious deaths, a conspiracy of silence, and a search for justice by Christine Kenneally

Work has been steadily moving forward, and visitors to Cook Park Library have been greeted with a bright new view when they walk in. While we’re excited to share the progress, the area is still an active work zone — so please follow posted signs and stay behind the stanchions for everyone’s safety. Thanks for your patience!

Here are some of the exciting updates completed in March:

• The Middle School Zone received a colorful, modern wallpaper upgrade! This dedicated space, designed just for middle schoolers, now occupies the former nonfiction shelving area.

• Hanging globe lights were installed along the north wall of windows. Not only do they add a striking visual element, but staff can also change their colors!

• While not as flashy, essential behind-the-scenes work is just about completed, including enclosing wiring and ductwork in the ceiling and installing new thermostats to keep the space comfortable.

View all Renewal Project updates here.