|
An Evening with Scott Turow
|
Thu., May 5, at 7 pm | WE ARE THRILLED to host Scott Turow, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Presumed Innocent and The Last Trial, as our next Great Authors at the Library speaker. He is considered by many to be the father of the modern legal thriller. Presumed Innocent was made into a blockbuster film starring Harrison Ford and Apple TV+ is developing a new series based on the acclaimed book. Turow’s books have been translated into 40+ languages and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Both locations will close at 5 pm to prepare. The Main Library will reopen at 6:30 pm exclusively for this event. >> Scott Turow books at the libraryMade possible with support from the Library Foundation.
|
|
LIVE MUSIC * TAKE & MAKES * GIVEAWAYS
|
|
Read-a-palooza! Extravaganza
|
Sun., May 22, from 12–3 pm | Main Library | YOU’RE INVITED to an all-ages community celebration to kick off Read-a-palooza! Summer Reading Challenge. Enjoy live music on the front porch—including the Chicago-based kindie music duo Wendy & DB (12–12:45 pm) and local favorites, the Hot Iron String Band (1–3 pm). You’ll get to take home craft kits and fun giveaways for all ages! Our special guest will be Pete the Cat.
|
|
|
Storytimes Start at Both Locations in May
|
Weekly Storytimes at the Main Library: • Monday, Babies Love Books – 9:45, 10:15, 10:45 am • Tuesday, Toddler Tales – 9:45, 10:15, 10:45 am • Wednesday, Ready, Set, Read! – 9:45, 10:30 am
Weekly Storytimes at the Douglass Branch: • Thursday, Babies Love Books, 10:30 am • Friday, Toddler Tales, 10:30 am
Which one is the right one for you and your child? We’ve designed Babies Love Books for children from birth through 18 months. Toddler Tales introduces pre-reading skills for children 18 to 36 months. Ready, Set, Read! emphasizes stories and movement designed to help children from 3 to 5 get ready to read. All sessions are fun and interactive for both the child and parent or caretaker. You’ll leave smiling!
>> Watch songs and rhymes from our storytimes
|
|
Grand Total of *18,000* Take & Make Kits for Kids
|
IN SEPTEMBER 2020, Children’s staff started creating Take & Make craft kits for families to enjoy together at home, with a new craft offered each week. Our kits were designed especially for preschoolers, school-age kids, and teens, and were available at both locations. By the end of May 2022, we will have given out 18,000 kits!
|
|
We were so glad to see this recent photo by Tooba Umar of her family enjoying Artsy Smartsy Kids crafts at home. “Thank you so much for these activity kits. All my three kids are having an amazing day today.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mon., May 16, at 7 pm | AS PART of our new series on ARTrepreneurship, learn the ins and outs of business as an artist, maker, or creative at Small Business 101. Get your questions answered by local artists, business specialists, and marketing experts: • Anna Gutsch, co-owner of NORDEN German Design Studio • Lisa Kesler, painter and printmaker • Marisa Peacock, founder of Strategic Peacock and lecturer in advertising at the U of I • Oscar Irving-Thomas, entrepreneur, artist, and lecturer in advertising at the U of I • Kelly White, executive director of 40 North and organizer of Boneyard Arts Festival. Presented in partnership with 40 North.
|
|
|
Getting Started with Google
|
CURIOUS ABOUT GOOGLE tools? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series includes in-person workshops at the Main Library on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which are free, easy-to-access equivalents of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Our virtual Tech Workshop in May will introduce Google Calendar and Meet, a new video conferencing tool (May 24). Sign up online or give us call at (217) 403-2000.
|
|
|
Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs
|
|
|
Thank You, Library Volunteers!
|
EACH SPRING, during our Volunteer Appreciation Week, we like to recognize our volunteers, celebrating their amazing dedication and commitment. This past year 86 community members and 9 groups generously helped the library. Their contributions total 3,025 hours! We also thank our Library, Foundation, and Friends board members, and the dozens of helpers who work in our FriendShop Bookstore.
|
|
|
FriendShop Bookstore Sales
|
DURING MAY, save 50% off nonfiction books at the FriendShop Bookstore. This friendly used bookstore is open to everyone and includes more than 20,000 books, movies, and audiobooks. Most items are $2 or less. And the best part? All the money you spend goes right back to the library since the items sold are donations and the store is staffed by volunteers. Located on the lower level at the Main Library, the FriendShop is open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12–3 pm.
• May 11, 13, 14 – Half-Price Sale for Members • May 25, 27, 28 – Tag Bag Sale, take home a bag of books for just $1
Not a Library Friend yet? Joining is easy and memberships start at $10. Want to support the library a little more? Choose any of the six membership tiers. We also need volunteers during shop hours. Volunteer »
|
|
Watch Webinars Anytime
|
YOU’LL FIND 300+ webinars and storytime songs on the library’s YouTube channel.
|
|
|
|
May 2022
|
|
|
BOTH LOCATIONS will close early Thursday, May 5, at 5 pm. The Main Library will reopen at 6:30 pm for Scott Turow’s talk.
|
|
In-Person Events for Kids & Families
|
STARTING IN MAY, we are excited to get back to in-person events for kids and families—including storytimes at both locations and the all-ages Read-a-palooza! Summer Reading Kickoff Party at the Main Library (May 22, from 12–3 pm).
|
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS
|
|
Free Comic Book Day Saturday, May 7 9–1 at Main Library 10–1 at Douglass Branch
|
Read-a-palooza! Summer Reading Kickoff Party Sun., May 22, from 12–3 pm * Live music * Take & Make crafts * Fun giveaways Main Library
|
FOR KIDS & FAMILIES
|
|
|
VIRTUAL: Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime Fri., May 6, at 10 am Facebook Live
|
Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime Wed., May 25, at 11:15 am Main Library
|
Take & Make Kits
|
PICK UP a Take & Make kit each week in May:
|
DIY Kids Take & Make Mondays Pick up at Douglass Branch
Take & Make for Preschoolers Thursdays Pick up at Main Library
|
|
|
FOR TEENS
|
|
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS are invited to enjoy activities and fun every day after school at Teen Lounge, from 3–4:30 pm, in the Main Library’s Robeson Pavilion.
|
|
|
FOR ADULTS
|
|
Coffee and a Craft: Flower Pins Wed., May 11, at 10:30 am Douglass Branch
|
|
Crafty Adults: Handmade Scrapbook JournalsWed., May 11, at 7 pm Reserve your spot. Reservations open May 2. (30 participants) Main Library
|
|
Legal Help | Tenant Toolbox: Rights & Duties Tue., May 17, at 7 pm Main Library
|
|
Money Matter$ | Energy Efficiency Thu., May 19, at 7 pm Main Library
|
Project READ Tutoring Fridays, drop in 9:30–11:30 am Main Library
|
|
Gale Courses Start Monthly
|
|
BOOK DISCUSSIONS
|
Table Talk Book Club Tue., May 10, at 6:30 pm Meet to select the books for next season. Douglass Branch
|
|
|
|
|
|
WHAT’S NEW? Reserve New Releases online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We’ll let you know when your hold items are ready for pickup!
|
|
LIBRARY CLOSED
Both locations will be closed on Monday, May 30. Book returns are always open.
|
|
|
|