Kankakee Public Library Podcasts

The 2015 City of Kankakee Black History Celebration of Education welcomed keynote speaker Roger Powell Jr. Mr. Powell was a standout University of Illinois basketball player and is currently assistant men's basketball coach at Valparaiso University.

The 2015 City of Kankakee Black History Celebration of Education welcomed keynote speaker Roger Powell Jr. Mr. Powell was a standout University of Illinois basketball player and is currently assistant men's basketball coach at Valparaiso University.

State Representative Kate Cloonen discusses issues with Glenn Nixon, her challenger for the 79th Illinois Representative district. This program is sponsored by the Kankakee County chapter of the NAACP.

A town hall meeting was held to discuss the proposed changing of Kankakee County to an executive form of government. This program is sponsored by the Kankakee County chapter of the NAACP.

Cryptozoologist Terry Fisk talks about the many Illinois reports of strange creature sightings, some of non-native animals such as kangaroos and lions, others of supernatural beings such as phantoms and vampires. Fisk will share illustrations, case histories, and eyewitness accounts while speaking about cases that he has personally investigated.

Kankakee County Board Chairman Mike Bossert and County Board Member Andy Wheeler hosted this informational town meeting concerning the proposed public safety sales tax increase to be on the November 4, 2014 ballet. Bossert and Wheeler took questions from the audience about the potential impact of passing or not passing the tax increase referendum. Representatives of the probation and sheriff's department also participated. A short information video was shown.

Peterson-Maass explores ten genealogical concepts that are essential to success in many genealogical endeavors. She discusses the importance of knowing and using accredited research and process methods. Valuable tips are given.

Historian Jim Gibbons takes listeners through the first of two of the most catastrophic wars in history, World War I, which started on July 28, 1914. Gibbons highlights significant events that thrust the United States into this unwanted war.

Author David J. Hogan celebrates 75 years of The Wizard of Oz by discussing his book "The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Life According to OZ." Explore everything there is to know about the 1939 musical fantasy that has become a classic of American cinema. Hogan talks about the production and meaning of the timeless movie.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, the City of Kankakee hosted a multipart panel discussion to explore the problems of housing in the city. The theme of part one was "Looking to Other Communities for Ideas and Inspiration". Panel members were Brian Hollenback of the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation, Nick Brunick of Brunick, Applegate and Thorne-Thomsen, Dr. Don Daake of Olivet Nazarene University, and Mayor Nina Epstein of the City of Kankakee.