Adults - Highlighted Events

Please visit the 2nd Floor Information Desk or call 630-279-8696 to register.

Violet Jessop: Titanic Survivor      Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Stewardess Violet Jessop survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and several years later she survived the sinking of the Britannic during World War 1. Clever and articulate, she tells unforgettable stories of these tragedies from the viewpoint of a crew memeber and gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse at life on the most glamorous luxury liners of their day. Portrayed by Leslie Goddard.

Film: Titanic's Final Moments    Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m.

The RMS Titanic was designed with some of the most extensive safety features of the time. Exactly what happened the night it sank has been a mystery for decades. In 2005, explorers set out to investigate a virtually unexplored site and made startling discoveries. This History Channel documentary expedition features Ritchie Kohler and John Chatterton of Shadow Divers fame.

Film: The Woman on Pier 13      Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Try to keep calm as you peer into life during the Cold War through The Woman on Pier 13 (1949). This chilling film noir depiction is an excellent example of anti-communist propaganda, showcasing an enveloping sense of hysteria in the script. Professor Ron Falzone, an award-winning screenwriter and senior faculty member of the Film & Video Department at Columbia College Chicago leads a post-screening discussion on what happens when paranoia and propaganda meet.

Author Visit: Melanie Benjamin    Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7:00 p.m.

In her national bestseller Alice I have Been, Melanie Benjamin imagined the life of the woman who inspired Alice in Wonderland. In her second novel, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, she shines a spotlight on the life of another fascinating woman. Join us as the author shares with us her inspirations for these books, insights into her characters, and other reminiscences as an author. (Book discussions of Alice I Have Been on Wed. Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m., or Thur. Feb. 23 at 1 p.m.)