What do The Studio, author Brendan Slocumb, and trick-or-treat books have in common? Your library!

October 2023 | News

library logo

What do The Studio, author Brendan Slocumb, and trick-or-treat books have in common? Your library!

architect sketch of makerspace with tables, chairs, tech and craft equipment, cabinets

TOURS * DEMONSTRATIONS * GIVEAWAYS

Weekend Open House for The Studio! 

Oct. 7 and 8, Weekend Open House | WELCOME TO THE STUDIO! We are opening the doors to The Studio at the Library, a new 8,000-square-foot space on the lower level. Stop by for tours and demonstrations during a Weekend Open House on October 7 and 8, Saturday (9–6) and Sunday (12–6). The Studio includes creative tools like 3D printers, sewing machines, Cricut machines, and Glowforge laser cutters—in addition to a computer lab, gaming area, and recording booths with audio and video equipment. 

 

The Studio at the Library will host activities for teens after school, creative workshops for adults in the evening, and open hours for community members every weekend. Daily Tours at 10 am will be available October 9–13 and by appointment.

 

Welcome to your new creative community space! What will you create?

Weekend Open Hours Start October 14

Starting October 14, you’ll be able to reserve Studio tools, recording booths, and Book-a-Librarian appointments. Or just stop by during Weekend Open Hours, Saturday (9–6) and Sunday (12–6).

Studio info & reservations

Made possible with support from the Library Foundation, Library Friends, and City of Champaign.

Brendan Slocumb portrait, 2 book covers, event info

Great Author Visit with Brendan Slocumb

WE ARE THRILLED to welcome author and musician Brendan Slocumb on Thursday, October 12, for the next Great Authors at the Library visit. He will offer two presentations—the afternoon talk (2 pm) will include a violin performance and the evening talk (7 pm) will include a Q&A and book signing. 

October 12 · Great Author Visit

A Musical Afternoon with Brendan Slocumb, 2 pm
An Evening with Brendan Slocumb, 7 pm

Mr. Slocumb’s bestselling musical mysteries include A Violin Conspiracy, selected for the Good Morning America Book Club. Slocumb’s recent novel, Symphony of Secrets, gets glowing reviews as well, including this one from Kirkus Reviews: “This is a superb novel that will appeal to any thriller fan, not just readers with an ear for classical music. Sophomore novels don’t get much better than this.” 

 

Both locations will close at 5 pm to prepare. Doors open at 6:30 pm at the Main Library exclusively for this event. 

 

>> Brendan Slocumb books at the library

Made possible with support from the Library Foundation.

Brendan Slocumb playing violin during video interview

book with Jack-o-lantern, black cat, bat, title

CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN and autumn with a book “treat” to take home. Kids—from infants through grade 5—get to choose one free book during our weeklong Halloween Booktacular Giveaway at the Main Library and Douglass Branch from October 25–31. Just stop by and ask at the Children’s Desk!

Pumpkin Patch Parade

Wed., Oct. 25, at 9:45 & 10:30 am | ENJOY STORIES, music, and movement for children ages 3 to 5, with a parent or caregiver. This 30-minute storytime emphasizes pre-reading skills and activities. We will parade through the Children’s area after. Costumes welcome!

It’s a Howl-o-ween Party!

Sat., Oct. 28, from 2–4 pm | JOIN US for an afternoon of Halloween fun with creepy crafts and ghoulish games. Pick up your free book (for infants through grade 5). Costumes and kids of all ages are welcome! 

portrait of Stephen Graham Jones, plus book covers

Virtual Visits with Bestselling Authors

THIS MONTH you can enjoy virtual visits with two bestselling authors: horror author Stephen Graham Jones on (10/4 at 7 pm) and children’s book author and artist Grace Lin (10/17 at 7 pm). Sign up to get the Zoom link:

 

10/4 · Virtual Visit with Stephen Graham Jones, 7 pm
10/17 · Virtual Visit with Grace Lin, 7 pm

 

Presented in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a coalition of 200+ public libraries.

portrait of Grace Lin, 3 book covers

Writer’s Workshops

LIKE TO WRITE? Hone your skills and meet other writers at this month’s Writer’s Workshops. Molly MacRae will share guideance on Plot & Prose (10/4) and Julian Parrott will focus on Cliffhangers & Climax (10/18). Writer’s Workshops meet Wednesdays at 7 pm »

paint brushes on wood table, colorful background

Cookies & Canvases

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE WORKSHOPS is back! Join local artist Lori Fuller at this month’s Crafty Adults workshop and create your own beautiful acrylic painting. Fuller received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Art Education and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the U of I School of Art + Design. Sign up for a session at the Main Library (Wed., Oct. 11, at 6 pm) or at the Douglass Branch (Sat., Oct 28, at 1 pm). Registration opens October 1 at 9 am.

senior couple looking at laptop, sitting on sofa at home

NEED HELP applying for Medicare? Call 217/403-2000 or sign up online to get your questions answered (10/17–12/5) by Nicole Mitchell, Senior Services Specialist for Champaign County Health Care Consumers.

man in blue suit playing saxophone, drummer in background

CU Jazz Fest: Reginald Lewis 

Sun., Oct. 29, at 3 pm | LIKE JAZZ? So do we! Enjoy listening to live music at the library as part of the Champaign-Urbana Jazz Festival (October 26–29), when Reginald Lewis & Friends take the stage.

Tech Workshops

TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes hands-on workshops where you can learn basic Keyboard and Mouse Skills, how to use Windows Computers, and strategies for organizing and storing files, plus How to Find Podcasts. Our evening Tech Workshop (10/16) is designed to help you get started with the internet. Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help!

photo of group of people talking, sitting, leaning against wall, different careers, smiling

Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs

LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! Local experts presenting this month include Shari Fox, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (10/10), Marisa Peacock, U of I Department of Advertising (10/24), and Tristin Waldrup, Ippatsu Salon (10/26).

Get that Job! Career Workshops »

10/3 · Career & Job Help | Drop-in Hours, 11 am–1 pm
10/7 · Professional Headshot Sessions, 12–2 pm (Event full)
10/26 · Career Lunch & Learn, 12 pm

Start + Grow Your Business Workshops »
10/10 · Building Endowments 101 for Nonprofits, 1 pm
10/12 · VIRTUAL: Audience Identification & Marketing Plans, 10 am*
10/12 · SBDC at Launch Business Center, 12–3 pm
10/24 · VIRTUAL: Holiday Marketing Checklist, 2 pm*
10/24 · Bring Your Social Media In-house & Make It Thrive, 7 pm

*Some events require reservations.o

New Releases button

DID YOU KNOW? New Releases hit the shelves every week on Tuesday morning. Reserve your copy now or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We’ll let you know when your hold items are ready for pickup!

illustration of fox hanging from umbrella, fall leaves

FriendShop Bookstore Sale: 50% Off Everything!

DURING OCTOBER, you’ll save 50% off EVERYTHING at the FriendShop Bookstore! Open to everyone, the shop includes more than 20,000 used books, movies, and audiobooks, and is located on the lower level of the Main Library.

 

Most items are $2 or less. Children’s and teen item are only 50¢! And the best part? All the money you spend goes right back to the library. The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12–3 pm.

 

From October 25–28, take home a bag of books for $1 at our monthly Tag Bag Sale.

October 2023

The Studio logo

The Studio at the Library
Open Weekends starting October 14:

• Saturday (9–6)
• Sunday (12–6)
• or by appointment

Event Calendar
Closing Early October 12

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS

prow of Viking boat with lake and mountains in the background

Tuesdays at Ten | Voyage of the Vikings
with Fred Christensen

Tuesdays at 10 am
Oct. 3, 10, 17

Intro to Ancestry
Tue., Oct. 24, at 10 am

Coffee and a Craft:

Fabric Pumpkins
Thu., Oct. 12, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch

illustration of hand holding colorful microphone

Friday Night Jam Session
Fri., Oct. 27, at 6 pm 
@ Douglass Branch

For adults & teens

ARE YOU a performing artist? We want to give you the chance to shine. Just bring your talent, materials, and instruments—we're going to JAM! Sign up to perform or just drop by to listen! After October, Friday Night Jam Sessions will resume in March 2024.

Project READ Tutoring
Drop in Fridays from 9:30–11:30 am

Project READ Introduction to Tutor Training
Fri., Oct. 6, at 10 am
Sign up »

man teaching in classroom, screenshot of start screen for video training

Gale Courses Start Monthly

NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale Courses. Learn Speed Spanish, sign language, or grant writing—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 13 »

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Symphony of Secrets book cover

Special Event! Cover-to-Cover Book Club Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Thu., Oct. 5, at 1:30 pm

Belonging book cover

Table Talk Book Club: Belonging by Michelle Miller
Tue., Oct. 10, at 6:30 pm
@ Douglass Branch

The Art Thief book cover

Cover-to-Cover Book Club: The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
Thu., Oct. 19, at 1:30 pm

What Should My Book Club Read Next? We have 23 recommended reads available for your next get-together.

FOR TEENS
orange pattern, Teen Lounge title

LOOKING for something exciting to do after school? Middle and high school students can stop by the library for activities and fun. 

 

Teen Lounge | Early Edition
Mon., Oct. 2 & 30, from 1–4:30 pm

 

Teen Lounge
Every day after school
3–4:30 pm

The Studio logo

Starting October 9, Teen Lounge will meet in The Studio on the lower level!

FALL READING CHALLENGE

reading log with illustration of happy cacti

SIGN UP your family for the Fall Reading Challenge for Kids & Teens, designed for infants through grade 12 students.

girl in glasses and shorts, lying on back in grass reading by pool

KIDS & FAMILIES

LEGO Club!
Sat., Oct. 14, at 3 pm
For ages 4 and up

Fall Family Crafting
• Tue., Oct. 17, at 10:30 am
• Thu., Oct. 19, at 2:30 pm 
@ Douglass Branch

2 kids play with a giant Connect 4 game

School’s Out! BIG Games Day!
Fri., Oct. 20, from 1–3 pm

illustration of bats against a woodgrain pattern, event info

DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch

• Articulated Grabber
• Tech Toys
• Skeleton Hand
• Spooktacular Crafts

spooky painting with moon, paper bats attached

Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
For school-age kids

 

Activities include 3D Paper Bat Painting, Monster Book, and Gaming through History

FOR PRESCHOOLERS

babies and parents at storytime at the library

10 Storytimes Every Week!
For infants to age 5

Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays, 10 am

illustration of undulating, abstract landscape

East Asian Bilingual Storytime
Vietnamese & English

Sat., Oct. 21, at 10 am

TUESDAYS AT TEN

red house with path and shrubs

Your Home’s History

Tue., Oct. 31, at 10 am | FIND OUT what story your house has to tell! Researching your home and property is a rewarding project. Join library staff and the U of I’s Illinois Newspaper Project to learn about area resources including Ancestry.com, Champaign County Records and Property Tax, and The Urbana Free Library. You’ll learn tips and tricks for sorting through census records and deeds, plus how to locate your house aerial maps of the City of Champaign.

 

Ancestry.com (access at the library)

Champaign County Records & Property Tax

The Urbana Free Library
City of Champaign Historic Maps

 

Want help with research projects or learning to use library resources? We also offer Book-a-Librarian appointments.

Main Library
217/403-2000
200 W. Green St.
Champaign, Illinois
Mon–Thu 9–9
Fri–Sat 9–6 | Sun 12–6

Douglass Branch
217/403-2090
504 E. Grove St.
Champaign, Illinois
Mon–Thu 10–8
Fri 10–6 | Sat 10–4


FriendShop Bookstore
Lower level, Main Library
Wed–Sat 12–3

 

The Studio at the Library
Lower level, Main Library
Sat 9–6 | Sun 12–6

Library logo
facebook social icon
instagram social icon
youtube social icon
twitter social icon
Champaign Public Library
200 W. Green St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217/403-2000

Prefer not to receive this email? Update your preferences