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Free office and computer skills training program offered for immigrants

Post date: Monday, March 4, 2013 - 5:17pm

BENNU Legal Services is partnering with the Waukegan Public Library to offer the SKILL program beginning on March 20, 2013. SKILL classes are free and teach entry-level office and computer skills to immigrants who seek to increase their employment options and earnings potential.

SKILL stands for Strengthening Knowledge of Immigrants through Legalization and Learning. The program covers office skills such as telephone etiquette, customer relations, and translating documents. Sessions are conducted in English, with Spanish language support available, to prepare students for a multi-cultural environment and promote integration. Students should understand and speak conversational English and have basic reading comprehension and writing skills in English. Classes meet for ten weeks on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Classroom time is augmented with ten hours per week of practice time in a friendly work environment.

Registration is limited to 20 students. For questions about the SKILL program or to register, please contact Denise Rolando at 847-736-2667 or email denise [at] BennuLegal [dot] com.

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Recycle your batteries in March

Post date: Monday, March 4, 2013 - 3:33pm

Recycle your batteries at the library! Throughout the month of March, the Library’s Off the Grid team will take your used batteries to a recycling center. Off-the-Grid is made up of a library staff members who find ways to save energy, reduce waste, and have fun doing it.

Many batteries contain heavy metals, toxins and other hazardous materials to the environment. Improper disposal of batteries leads to soil contamination and water pollution. Starting March 1, place your used batteries in the battery recycling depository in the foyer of the library by the entrance. The batteries will be transported to a recycling center where they will be broken apart into their various components and disposed of properly. All batteries are accepted, except car batteries.

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Waukegan Public Library trades food for fines during the month of March

Post date: Monday, February 25, 2013 - 11:49am

During the entire month of March, the Waukegan Public Library will take $1 off overdue fines for each nonperishable item patrons donate to a local food pantry. Library patrons should bring donations to the customer service desk, where staff will collect the items and adjust their fines. All donations go to COOL Ministries food pantry in Waukegan.

“We are excited to partner with COOL Ministries again and help those in need. Patrons will be ensuring good food is available to the hungry in our community while bringing their accounts back into good standing,” said Richard Lee, executive director. The focus of the drive is on food items, but the pantry’s wish list includes beverages, baby formula, diapers, paper towels and toiletries.

In 2012, the Library collected 6,049 pounds of nonperishable items for the COOL Ministries food pantry during the month of February and waived a total of $4,768.35 in library overdue fines. The food drive only applies to overdue items and does not apply to fees from interlibrary loan fees or lost or damaged items.  Donations will be accepted at both the main library and the Hinkston Park branch. Call Rena Morrow at (847) 623-2041, ext. 231, with any questions about the Food for Fines drive.

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