The Pritzker Military Library has much to offer educators and students. We can arrange a behind-the-scenes tour, or pull materials on a specific subject in advance of your visit for the students' browsing. Students can also complete a lesson using materials from the collection.
Student groups are welcome Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 4PM, with prior appointment. Groups are asked to register at least two weeks in advance. To schedule your field trip, contact us at 312-374-9333 or fieldtrips@pritzkermilitarylibrary.net.
The Library offers free periodic workshops, classes, and lectures. Workshops are held at the Library unless otherwise noted. Registration is required. Priority registration is given to Library members and veterans. To register, call 312-374-9333, or email info@pritzkermilitarylibrary.net. Military Genealogy Workshop
Presented by Teri Embrey
Do you have a veteran in your family that you would like to know more about? This hands-on workshop will help you learn more about the veterans in your family. Participants will learn about the Library’s resources for genealogy, databases for genealogy research, as well as genealogy resources at other local institutions. Participants should bring writing utensils, paper for note-taking, and names and basic biographical information of family members they’d like to research.
Some of the resources students will discover in this workshop include electronic resources like Ancestry.com, Familysearch.org, Illinois Digital Archives, and Footnote.com. Students will also be introduced to print resources like Adjunct General reports, unit histories, and association memorial volumes.
Teri Embrey is the Senior Librarian at the Pritzker Military Library. She is also a doctoral student in American History/Public History at Loyola University Chicago. She has written and presented on numerous historical topics over the years, from the English Civil War (1641–1651) to the American Civil War to genealogy.
Military Memoir Writing Workshop
Led by Pat Lee
Do you have a story about your military service that you’d like to set down on paper? Have you been inspired by the service of a friend or family member, and want to share it with others? Have you already begun to write – and need a boost to keep the momentum going? Take the plunge and join us at the Pritzker Military Library for a free writing workshop led by Pat Lee.
You will begin with figuring out what the story will be, who it will be about, and how you should research it. You will move on to writing exercises to “prime the pump,” writing a first draft, and getting valuable feedback from your fellow writers to bring out the best in your work. By the time you’re done, you’ll have a well-crafted piece to share with the group. Included are tips on how to effectively and tactfully give and take peer input, how to create drama and suspense, how to get published, and coaching on choosing possible publications and publishers to approach and whether self-publishing is a viable option.
Pat Lee is the co-author of A Life Less Anxious, a new memoir about social anxiety and panic attacks, with Steve Pavilanis. Pat has also written, produced, and starred in A Soldier's Tale, a show about her father's experiences in World War II.
Database Research
Presented by Teri Embrey
Upcoming Dates TBA
Intimidated by research databases? Intrigued by scholarly journals? Interested in moving beyond simple Google searches?
Library members have access to major research databases like AskART and EBSCO, but not everybody knows how to get the most out of them. We're offering free database research classes that will turn your next research project into a tour-de-force. Classes are led by our senior librarian, Teri Embrey. All classes include time on our computers to use what you've learned.