20 JOB RESOURCES + WIN A CHROMEBOOK |
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Tue., Feb. 20, from 5:30–7 pm | NEW YEAR, NEW JOB? Stop by the Community Job Fair for an opportunity to meet with local employers, learn about career resources available at the library, and enter for the chance to win prizes, including a Chromebook. Participants include Champaign Unit 4 School District, FedEx Ground, ClarkLindsey, and more. Part of the Get that Job! series.
>> Which 20 employers & job coaches will be there? |
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Neotropical Frogs on Leap Day! |
Thu., Feb. 29, at 6:30 pm | CELEBRATE LEAP DAY with frogs from Central and South America. You’ll have a chance to learn about the intriguing behavior of neotropical frogs at Family Fun Night. Presented in partnership with the U of I Fischer Lab. |
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19th ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
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19 Years of Celebrating Black History by Reading Great Books |
Sat., Feb. 24, from 11 am–4 pm | STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 to 5 will celebrate Black History Month by challenging their book knowledge in our 19th Battle of the Books. This year’s Battle of the Books list includes 20 Great Books Linked to Black History. Teams will compete at the main location in the morning (11 am) or afternoon (1:30 pm), with winners advancing to the finals (3 pm). Each year, the Battle of the Books draws 400+ kids, teachers, and family members. Call 217/403-2090 by February 1 to sign up your team.
Above: University Primary School’s team took home the trophy in 2023. |
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Black History Month Spotlight: Douglass Branch |
DOUGLASS BRANCH LIBRARY was named for American abolitionist and journalist Frederick Douglass, who escaped from slavery and became an influential statesman. He visited Champaign on February 15, 1869. The Champaign County Gazette reported that “His wit was keen and sparkling, his humor dry and effective, and his logic and argument as clear as that of the most polished orator in the land.” Illinois artist Preston Jackson’s sculpture “Frederick Douglass: In Remembrance” stands by the Branch entrance.
The Douglass Branch is featured on the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail. This historic route traces 170 years of rich cultural history and building community.
The dedicated and friendly staff at the Branch share more than 100 years of combined experience.
Popular programs include the communitywide Juneteenth Emancipation Celebration in Douglass Park, weekly storytimes, and monthly book discussions. |
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Virtual Visits with Bestselling Authors |
ENJOY VIRTUAL VISITS with #1 New York Times bestselling authors as part of the Illinois Libraries Present series. This month features conversations with author, illustrator, and syndicated cartoonist Jerry Craft (2/6), and with Julia Quinn (2/20), author of 38 romance books including the wildly popular Bridgerton series. Sign up to get the Zoom link. |
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Tuesdays at Ten | Exploring England’s Oldest Road: The Ridgeway Path | JOIN US for a five-week journey (2/6–3/5) led by local historian Fred Christensen as he takes us along the Ridgeway Path in England, including views of the 3,000-year-old Uffington White Horse (pictured above). Nature, history and archaeology combine in this tour of one of England’s scenic long-distance footpaths. Meets at the Main Library on Tuesdays at 10 am. |
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Get Free Help with Your Taxes |
LOOKING FOR free tax assistance? We can help! Sign up to meet with IRS-certified volunteers at the library (February 1–April 19). Contact Stevick Senior Center at 217/359-6500 to make an appointment. Presented in partnership with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program. Read more » |
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Discussing Books at the Douglass Branch Since 2001 |
TABLE TALK BOOK CLUB, based at the Douglass Branch, has been meeting monthly since 2001 to discuss books by contemporary African American authors. Table Talk has also hosted visits by #1 New York Times bestselling authors Terry McMillan and Colson Whitehead, as part of our Great Authors at the Library series. This month’s conversation on Tuesday, February 13, at 6:30 pm, will be about The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. |
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Career & Business Workshops |
LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! This month’s presenters include SBDC Director Madeleine Wolske (2/15), accountant Dr. Monica Denise Beasley (2/27), and Career Librarian Cat Purcell (2/29). In addition, don’t miss the Community Job Fair (2/20) where you can talk to local career coaches and employers to help you land your next job!
Career Workshops »
2/6 · Career Help | Drop-in Hours, 11 am –1 pm
2/15 · Cypress Resume Basics, 7 pm
2/20 · Community Job Fair, 5:30–7 pm
2/29 · Lunch & Learn: Navigating a Career Pivot, 12 pm
Business Workshops »
2/5 · VIRTUAL: The Do’s & Don’ts of Building an Online Store, 1 pm
2/6 · VIRTUAL: Email Marketing Essentials, 10 am
2/8 · SBDC at Launch Business Center, 12–3 pm
2/15 · Starting Your Business in Illinois, 9 am
2/19 · VIRTUAL: Using Email Marketing to Promote Your Online Store, 1 pm
2/27 · VIRTUAL: How to Respond to Online Reviews, 1 pm
2/27 · Tax Basics for Businesses, 7 pm |
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FriendShop Bookstore Specials |
DURING FEBRUARY, you’ll get 50% off romance at the FriendShop Bookstore. Open to everyone, the shop includes more than 20,000 nearly new 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. Joining the Library Friends is easy. We appreciate your support!
Open Wednesday–Saturday, 12–3 pm
• February 11 · Special Sunday Hours, open 2–5 pm
• February 14–17 · Members’ Half-Price Sale
• February 21–24 · Tag Bag Sale |
Starting in March, FriendShop Bookstore hours are changing—including adding Sundays. Open hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, from 1–4 pm. |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Feb. 5 & 19
Mondays at 6 pm
Bring your own project or start a new one with us!
@ Douglass Branch |
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Coffee and a Craft | Kumihimo Disk Bracelet
Thu., Feb. 8, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
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Project READ Tutoring
Fridays, drop in 9:30–11:30 am |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale Courses. Learn what it takes to start a pet sitting business, organize your personal finances, or take a class on writing a fantasy novel—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start Feb. 14, Mar. 13, and Apr. 17 » |
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Cover-to-Cover Book Club: Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea
Thu., Feb. 8, at 1:30 pm |
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Table Talk Book Club: The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
Tue., Feb. 13, at 6:30 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
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LOOKING FOR something fun to do after school? Middle and high school students are invited to stop by Teen Lounge. Activities include sewing, 3D printing, making jewelry, gaming, designing stickers, science experiments, coding, and ping pong.
Offered every day after school from 3 to 4:30 pm. On early dismissal days (2/5 & 26), Teen Lounge meets from 1 to 4:30 pm. |
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Vietnamese Tết Festival
Sat., Feb. 3, at 3 pm
CELEBRATE the Lunar New Year with traditional Vietnamese activities for kids including calligraphy, tug of war, Cheraw folk dance, Lion dance, and Áo Dài show. |
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Black History Bingo | DIY Kids
Wed., Feb. 7, at 4 pm
Douglass Branch |
LEGO Club
Sat., Feb. 10, at 3 pm
For ages 5 and up |
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Opening Reception for “The Art Connection: From Schools to Library”
Sun., Feb. 11, at 3 pm
Artwork by 50+ students from Carrie Busey, South Side, and Westview Elementary Schools.
FriendShop Bookstore
Lower level, Main Library
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Activities include Black History Bingo, Tech Toys, Mancala Board, and creating a Sock Bunny. |
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STOP BY Thursdays at 6:30 pm for activities designed especially for school-age kids. Family Fun Night activities this month include 3D paper sculptures, Lunar New Year dragon puppets, transportation in history, a mini winter globe, and neotropical frogs. |
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Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am |
Bilingual Storytime: Quechua & English
Tue., Feb. 27, at 6:30 pm |
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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! |
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The Studio at the Library
• Saturdays (9–6)
• Sundays (12–6)
Open weekends or by appointment.
WANT TO TRY something new? Book-a-Librarian for instruction on how to create your own project using the new Cricut machines, Glowforge laser cutters, 3D printers, Bernina sewing machines, gaming equipment, and recording studios. |
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