What do nonprofit fundraising, watercolor painting, and Studio drop-in hours have in common? Your library!

July 2024 | News

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What do nonprofit fundraising, watercolor painting, and Studio drop-in hours have in common? Your library!

little boy in library looks at space-themed display case
DID YOU KNOW everyone can win prize books and more with the all-ages Read for the Stars Summer Reading Challenge? Grand prize gift baskets for adults include a space-themed Lego kit, tickets to Krannert Center, and a travel telescope! Sign up »

Two-year-old Royal checked out the prize display on a recent visit. He’s a longtime library fan who has been coming to storytime since he was six months old!

portrait of smiling instructor, photo of library room behind
Fundraising—More Than Just Asking for Money

Thu., July 18, at 9 am | FUNDRAISING IS MORE than just asking for money—it involves strategy, planning, engaging, and communicating. Learn how a sound advancement/development plan can result in success for you and your organization. Presenter Jon Salvani is currently Associate Dean for Advancement and the Chief Advancement Officer for the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also serves on several local and national volunteer leadership boards. Part of the Start & Grow Your Nonprofit series.

watercolor forest landscape with purples, reds, and oranges
Wed., July 10, at 6 pm | ENJOY PAINTING? Learn how to paint with watercolors from local artist (and library staff member!) Rachel Ferrier who will show you how to create simple watercolor landscapes. Sign up starting July 1.

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Studio Drop-in Hours for Kids, Teens, & All Ages

HAVE YOU EXPLORED The Studio? Enjoy drop-in hours dedicated to kids, teens, and all ages—plus open hours on weekends (Saturdays, 9–6, and Sundays, 12–6). The Studio includes a makerspace, computer lab, gaming area, and recording studios. Time to try creating something new!
 
Kids in the Studio – Wednesdays, 2–4 pm. School-age kids are invited to stop by for crafting (through July 24).
 
Teens in the Studio – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2–4 pm. Middle and high school students are invited to drop by (through July 25).
 
Teen Week in the Studio – Monday–Friday, 2–4 pm. Teens are welcome to attend one or all days (July 29–Aug 2).
 
Thursday Night Drop-in Hours – Thursdays, drop in 5–7 pm. For all ages.
 
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 next Studio visit.

senior woman with caregiver outdoors gardening
THIS MONTH experts from the Alzheimer’s Association will walk us through important topics related to healthy living, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, at Tuesdays at Ten (10 am):
 
Tuesdays at Ten | Alzheimer’s & Dementia
7/9 · Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
7/16 · Dementia Conversations
7/23 · Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
7/30 · Empowering the Caregiver: Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

portrait of smiling instructor, notebook, glasses

LIKE TO WRITE? This month Julie Navickas will lead a hands-on workshop on How to Write a Book Series (7/17). Interested in connecting with other local writers? Gain feedback and writing tips—and build a sense of community—at the next Writers Lounge (7/3).

READ FOR THE STARS! SUMMER SERIES

woman smiling, playing a ukelele outside

Live Music for Kids—and More

ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES, performances, and celebrations at our Read for the Stars! Summer Series, including music by Grammy-nominated musicians.

Read for the Stars! Summer Series
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
girl with hair standing on end, touching big silver ball

Tech Workshops

TECH QUESTIONS? Our Getting Started workshops introduce computers, tablets, and more. We provide the equipment and materials—all  you need to do is show up! This month includes an introduction to iPhones and iPads (7/9), digital file storage (7/15), and Android phones and tablets (7/16), plus workshops on E-Library resources: Ebooks, Audiobooks, & Magazines (7/23) and Movies, Music, & More (7/30). Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. 

5 people sitting with computers interacting and smiling
Business & Career Workshops

LOOKING FOR A JOB or changing careers? Starting a business or nonprofit? We can help! Shannon McFarland will share her expertise in communications and content strategy, as part of the Telling Your Story summer series (7/9 & 23). Instructors also include Jon Salvani from the U of I College of Fine and Applied Arts (7/18), Scott Clanin from Clanin Marketing (7/24), and Kevin Martlage from Nextier Advisors (7/25).

JULY HIGHLIGHTS:
 
Douglass Branch 
7/2 • Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm 
7/9 • Telling Your Story: Branding & Positioning Power, 12 pm
7/23 • Telling Your Story: Insights & Mindful Leadership, 12 pm
 
Main Library
7/3 · Career Help, drop in 11 am –1 pm
7/18 • Fundraising: It’s More Than Just Asking for Money, 9 am
7/24 • Getting Started on Canva, 10 am
7/25 · Career Lunch & Learn: Embracing a Career Change, 12 pm
 

illustration of fox walking on hillside with hearts bursting over the horizon
FriendShop Bookstore Sales

DURING JULY, get a free book coupon with any purchase at the FriendShop Bookstore. This friendly shop is open to everyone and includes more than 20,000 used 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. Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1–4 pm. 

 
FriendShop Monthly Sales
7/10–14 · Half-Price Sale for Members
7/24–28 · Tag Bag Sale, take home a bag of books for just $1
 

Joining the Library Friends is easy. We appreciate your support!

July 2024

Event Calendar

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ADULTS

illustration of hand holding glowing microphone
Friday Night Jam Session
Fri., July 26, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch
Sign up to perform »
For adults & teens
colorful balls of yarn and flowers

Yarn & Shenanigans

Mon., July 1, 15, & 29, at 6 pm
@ Douglass Branch

Coffee and a Craft | Crochet for Beginners

Thu., July 11, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch

The Studio logo

Studio Workshop | Intro to Glowforge
Wed., July 24, at 6:30 pm
Learn how to use the Glowforge machines available in The Studio. Sign up starting July 1 »

Project READ Tutoring
Fridays, drop in 9:30–11:30 am

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. Start your own pet sitting business, learn how to play guitar, or research your genealogy—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start July 17, Aug 14, & Sep 11 »

BOOK DISCUSSION

The Berry Pickers book cover

Cover-to-Cover Book Club: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Thu., July 11, at 1:30 pm

What Should My Book Club Read Next? We offer 22 suggested books available for your next get-together.

FOR TEENS

The Studio logo
Teens in the Studio
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2–4 pm
Middle and high school students, including fifth-grade graduates, are invited to drop by (through July 25).
 
Teen Week in the Studio
Monday–Friday, 2–4 pm. Teens are invited to drop in and try something new (July 29–Aug 2).
illustration of cats reading under a lamp, reading log

READ TO WIN PRIZES! Sign up for the Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Challenge »

FOR KIDS & FAMILIES

boy posing with cool foam ring sculpture

DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 3 pm
@ Douglass Branch

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES include Paper Cup Stacking, Tech Toys, Pool Noodle Structures, Tissue Paper Suncatcher, and Plastic Bag Jump Rope. 

illustration of cats reading under a lamp, reading log

READ TO WIN PRIZES! For all ages. (If you read to your child, it can count for both of you!)  Sign up for the Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Challenge »

FOR PRESCHOOLERS

baby smiling, parent nearby, circle of families on carpet behind
BRING YOUR CHILD to the library for shared songs, stories, and activities designed to build early literacy skills. We offer 10 storytimes each week!
 
Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am
Sensory Friendly Storytime
Tue., July 16, at 6:30 pm
Youth Social Story to help prepare for your visit » 
Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
For infants to age 6. Meets at 11:15 am:
7/29 · Douglass Branch
7/31 · Main Library

New Releases button

WHAT’S NEW? New Releases hit the shelves on Tuesday morning. Reserve your copy 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 Thursday, July 4. Book returns are always open.

couple smiling on blanet, looking at a phone, listening
What to Read Next If You Love Bridgerton
DEAREST GENTLE READERS, have you perchance fallen under the beguiling Bridgerton spell? Between bestselling books by Julia Quinn and an enchanting Netflix series by Shonda Rimes, the “Bridgerton effect” means readers are ready for more Regency-era romance and drama. Not to fear, for our very own Lady Whistledown has combed the catalog for Regency Is All the Rage suggestions. And if you’re keen on reading the originals, Bridgerton audiobooks and ebooks are available instantly with the Hoopla library app or via Libby. Questions? We are happy to help!
 
*Hoopla is an instant-access collection of 1.5 million items, including books by Julia Quinn, plus movies, music, TV shows, and comics.
 
*Libby | OverDrive collection includes 70,000 audiobooks and ebooks, like the ones On Lady Whistledown’s Shelf, plus 4,000 magazines.

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–Sun 1–4

 

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

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Champaign Public Library
200 W. Green St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217/403-2000

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