LIVE MUSIC * BOUNCE HOUSE * ICY TREATS! |
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Juneteenth Emancipation Day Community Celebration |
Sat., June 15, from 12–3 pm, Douglass Park | JOIN US IN CELEBRATING 159 years since the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. Bring your family and friends to Douglass Park for summer fun and games, including music by local favorites Haki ’n Dem, an R&B and Neo Soul/Funk band. Activities include a bounce house, photo booth, face painting, and caricature artist. Visit with 50+ vendors and enjoy free icy treats! Presented in partnership with the Champaign Park District.
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The Sky’s the Limit with Astronaut Ellen Ochoa |
Thu., June 6, at 7 pm | JOIN US for an inspirational evening with retired NASA astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa—the first Latina in space! Dr. Ochoa has charted a dazzling and inspirational career path: from her early days as a researcher, to her four missions as an astronaut, to heading up NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Ochoa has seen firsthand the importance of minorities in STEM, women in leadership positions, and the way innovative change can push a team—or entire organization—forward. Doors open at 6:30 pm for seating. For adults & teens.
>> Ellen Ochoa, Former NASA Astronaut and First Hispanic Woman in Space, Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom (Smithsonian Magazine, May 2024) |
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Sun., June 23, at 2 pm | WANT TO KNOW MORE about artificial intelligence? Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with a panel of thought leaders at the forefront of AI innovation:
• James Castree, Senior Assistant Director, Career Education and Outreach at The Career Center, U of I
• Jacob Love, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Zite AI, a health-tech company
• Dr. Mary Ton, Digital Humanities Librarian, U of I |
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From left: James Castree, Jacob Love, Dr. Mary Ton. |
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Summer in the Studio: Time for Kids, Teens, & All Ages |
STOP BY this summer to create something new in The Studio. Enjoy drop-in hours during the week for kids, teens, and all ages—plus open hours on weekends (Saturdays, 9–6, and Sundays, 12–6). We will kick off and end the summer with a week just for teens!
Kids in the Studio – Wednesdays, 2–4 pm. School-age kids are invited to stop by for crafting. (June 12–July 24)
Teens in the Studio – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2–4 pm. Middle and high school students, including fifth-grade graduates, are invited to drop by. (June 11–July 25)
Teen Week in the Studio – Monday–Friday, 2–4 pm. Teens are invited to drop in and try something new. (June 3–7 and July 29–Aug 2)
Thursday Night Drop-in Hours – Thursdays, drop in 5–7 pm. For all ages. (June 13–Aug 29)
You can also Book-a-Librarian for one-on-one assistance or reserve equipment (like a Glowforge laser cutter, Cricut machine, or recording booth) for your visit. The Studio » |
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STOP BY Tuesdays at Ten (June 18–July 2) for coffee, socializing, and a chance to learn about nature photography from master naturalist Fred Newport. |
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Tue., June 4, at 7 pm | ENJOY A VIRTUAL VISIT with bestselling author Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the world’s most accomplished and well-known adults with autism. Dr. Grandin has been at the forefront of research and activism for autism and neurodiversity for decades. Her most recent book is Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. Dr. Grandin’s research and understanding of animal behavior spearheaded a reform in the quality of life for agricultural animals worldwide. Sign up to get the Zoom link. |
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SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME to celebrate a love for reading. Kids, teens, and adults can win with the library’s Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Challenge (through Aug 15). Prizes include books, astronaut plushies for kids, Champaign Park District passes and coupons to local eateries for teens, and even themed gift baskets (up to $330 value) for adults, with merchandise from local businesses and a Celestron travel telescope. Sign up online or download the Beanstack app to get started. In the first twelve days, 1,420 community members have already signed up! |
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READ FOR THE STARS! SUMMER SERIES
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Live Music, Big Bubbles, Mr. Science, and More |
ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES, performances, and celebrations this summer at our Read for the Stars! summer series, every Saturday through August 10. Highlights include fairy tale performances (6/8 & 22), Wild Weather with Mr. Science (8/3), and lots of live music for kids, including Grammy-nominated duo Wendy & DB (7/6). |
Read for the Stars! Summer Fun for Kids
6/1 • Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 6/8 • Once Upon a Time with Bright Star Theatre, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 6/15 • Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, 12–3 pm · Douglass Branch 6/22 • Beauty and the Beast with Elsenpeter Marionettes, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 6/29 • ScribbleMonster | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 7/6 • Wendy & DB | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 7/13 · Hands-on Science & Discovery Stations, 12–4 pm 7/20 • BIG, Bang, Bubbles Show!, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 7/27 • Little Miss Ann | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm 8/3 • Wild Weather with Mr. Science, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm 8/4 • Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Finale, 12–3 pm 8/10 • Jeanie B | Live Music for Kids!, 3 pm |
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Reserve a Chromebook or Hotspot? Pick Up at Checkout |
DID YOU KNOW you can take home tech devices from the library? We offer Chromebooks, iPads, hotspots, and preloaded Kindles, for adult Champaign Public Library cardholders to check out. Reserve items in the catalog and we will let you know when they are ready to pick up at the Checkout desk. Questions? We can help! Call 217/403-2000. Available at both locations. |
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TECH QUESTIONS? Our Getting Started workshops introduce computers, tablets, and more. We provide the equipment and materials. So all you need to do is show up! June includes introductory workshops where you can learn about cloud storage (6/4), digital file organization (6/10), streaming services (6/11), Apple computers (6/18), and Apple computer files & folders (6/25). Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000.
Already comfortable with a computer? Try something new at a Specialty Tech workshop. This month you can learn how to start your own podcast at Intro to Podcasting (6/17) with Maggie Baker. |
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LOOKING FOR A JOB or changing careers? Interested in assistance with growing your business or nonprofit? We can help! Workshop instructors this month include publicist and communications specialist Shannon McFarland (6/11 & 25) who is leading a four-part series this summer at the Douglass Branch, financial consultants Brice Hutchcraft and Tristan Brown (6/18), and president of Nextier Advisors Kevin Martlage (6/27).
HIGHLIGHTS IN JUNE:
Douglass Branch
6/4 • Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm
6/11 • Telling Your Story: Research & Identity, 12 pm
6/25 • Telling Your Story: Design & Create, 12 pm
Main Library
6/5 • Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm
6/18 • Banking & Financing for Your Small Business, 6 pm
6/27 • Career Lunch & Learn: Your Best-fit Work
Environment, 12 pm
Career Resources »
Business Resources » |
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FriendShop Bookstore Sales |
DURING JUNE, save 50% off all paperback books at the FriendShop Bookstore. Open to everyone, the FriendShop 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. Open Wednesday–Sunday, from 1–4 pm.
Monthly Sales
6/12–16 · Members’ Half-Price Sale
6/26–30 · Tag Bag Sale
Joining the Library Friends is easy. We appreciate your support! |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
KIDS & FAMILIES
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Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam | Live Music for Kids!
Sat., June 1, at 3 pm
Sing and dance along with Jodi as she plays her charming, catchy tunes! |
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“Once Upon a Time” with Bright Star Theatre
Sat., June 8, at 11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm
Watch Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk come to life in front of your very eyes. Three shows! |
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“Beauty and the Beast” with Elsenpeter Marionettes
Sat., June 22, at 11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm
Enjoy a magical marionette puppet performance. Three shows! |
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ScribbleMonster | Live Music for Kids!
Sat., June 29, at 3 pm
Rock out to ScribbleMonster at this energetic musical playdate! |
DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Activities include CD Coasters, Tech Toys, Juneteenth Flags, and Nebula Bottles. |
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Teens in the Studio
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2–4 pm
Middle and high school students, including fifth-grade graduates, are invited to drop by. (June 11–July 25)
Teen Week in the Studio
Monday–Friday, 2–4 pm. Teens are invited to drop in and try something new. (June 3–7 and July 29–Aug 2) |
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Friday Night Jam Sessions
Fri., June 28, from 6–8 pm
Fourth Fridays
@ Douglass Branch
Sign up to perform »
For adults & teens |
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Bingo Blast!
Sun., June 30, from 2–4 pm
Join us for an afternoon of Bingo along with popcorn and prizes! For all ages. |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., June 3 & 17, at 6 pm
Bring your own project or start a new one with us!
@ Douglass Branch |
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Coffee and a Craft | Knitting for Beginners
Thu., June 13, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
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Studio Workshop | Intro to Cricut
Wed., June 26, at 6:30 pm
Learn how to use the Cricut machines. Sign up starting June 1 »
(10 participants) |
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Library Friends Annual Meeting
Wed., June 19, at 4 pm
Enjoy tea, a talk by News-Gazette editor Jeff D’Alessio (pictured above), and a brief meeting. |
Project READ Tutoring
Fridays, drop in 9:30–11:30 am |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
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Cover-to-Cover Book Club: Hello Beautiful
by Ann Napolitano
Tue., June 13, at 1:30 pm |
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BRING YOUR CHILD to the library for shared songs, stories, and activities designed to build early literacy skills. We offer 10 storytimes each week! |
📚 Baby Storytime
• Mondays at 9:45, 10:15, and 10:45 am @ Main Library
• Thursdays at 10:30 am @ Douglass Branch
📚 Toddler Storytime
• Tuesdays at 9:45, 10:15, and 10:45 am @ Main Library
• Fridays at 10:30 am @ Douglass Branch
📚 Preschool Storytime
Wednesdays at 9:45 & 10:30 am @ Main Library
📚 Sensory-Friendly Storytime
Tue., June 18, at 6:30 pm @ Main Library
📚 Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
• Mon., June 24, at 11:15 am @ Douglass Branch
• Wed., June 26, at 11:15 am @ Main Library |
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WANT TO TRY something new? Book-a-Librarian to learn how to create your own project using Cricut machines, Glowforge laser cutters, 3D printers, sewing machines, or the new recording studios. |
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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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BOTH LOCATIONS will be open June 19. The Library will be commemorating Juneteenth with a community celebration on Saturday, June 15, from 12-3 pm, in Douglass Park. |
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