Lovers of TED Talks, rejoice! Starting in July, Northbrook area residents can get their fill of inspiring and captivating TED Talks with the Library’s latest program: TEDxNorthbrookLibrary.
TEDxNorthbrookLibrary, a TED-like experience, is an independently-produced monthly event that operates under a license from TED, but is organized and executed by a committee of passionate library staff members. TEDx events aim to create a dialogue about a thought-provoking topic and invite members of the community to share their ideas and opinions.
“The idea really came from our patrons,” said librarian Tracy Gossage, who has spearheaded the program. “Many [patrons] 
have mentioned TED Talks and speakers at book discussions and other library events, and with our renovations complete, it feels like the right time to start this new program.”
At each TEDxNorthbrookLibrary event, the Library will screen a series of intriguing TED Talks that focus on a single topic, but branch from various disciplines. Each event will take place in the Pollak Room with a discussion to follow. The first two TEDxNorthbrookLibrary events are as follows:
• July 14, 1:00pm: “Our Relationship with Social Media”
• August 18, 7:00pm: “Can We Delay or End Aging?”
“I think TEDx complements the idea of a library being a place to foster learning and conversation,” said Gossage. “The ideas presented in TED Talks help people learn and grow. I hope by showing talks that are of interest to the community and facilitating discussions, we can all leave with a little more knowledge and empathy than we walked in with.”
