What do the “Read for the Stars!” finale, Mr. Science, and author talks have in common? Your library!

August 2024 | News

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What do the “Read for the Stars!” finale, Mr. Science, and author talks have in common? Your library!

LIVE MUSIC + FREE ICY TREATS
grinning girl in library lobby, Summer Reading Finale event info
Summer Reading Finale

Sun., Aug. 4, from 12–3 pm | ENJOY LIVE MUSIC and free icy treats—at the Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Finale. The all-ages celebration includes performances by Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy and the Old Time Players (12-1:30 pm) and songwriter/musician Paul Kotheimer (2–3 pm), roving entertainment by hula hoop artist Satina, crafts for kids, and tours of The Studio. Don’t forget to pick up your prizes for the Summer Reading Challenge (through August 15). Let’s celebrate!

musicians performing on banjo, fiddle, guitar, plus performer smiling, holding hula hoop
Above: Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy and the Old Time Players. Below: Hula hoop artist Satina,  songwriter/musician Paul Kotheimer.
 
Made possible with support from the Library Friends.

scientist man in labcoat with expression of awe
Wild Weather with Mr. Science

FROM A TORNADO to a cloud, meteorologist Jason Lindsey, aka “Mr. Science,” will create some of the wildest weather in three shows (Sat., Aug. 3, at 11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm). He has appeared on national shows, including NBC Today Show, Sherri, Fox & Friends, RFD-TV, and WeatherNation.

UPCOMING AUTHOR TALKS
Ken Liu portrait, book covers, event info
Great Authors at the Library: Ken Liu Visits Oct. 10
WE ARE THRILLED to host Ken Liu as our next Great Authors at the Library speaker on Thursday, Oct. 1o, at 7 pm. Liu is an American author of speculative fiction. A winner of the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy awards, he wrote The Dandelion Dynasty epic fantasy series—in which engineers, not wizards, are the heroes—as well as The Paper Menagerie and The Hidden Girl short story collections. He’s also acclaimed for his translations, including the global bestseller The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Netflix recently premiered a popular new series based on the books. 
 
Virtual Visits with Authors, including Jason Reynolds
WE ARE EXCITED to announce speakers for the Illinois Libraries Present fall series. These virtual visits with high-profile authors include novelist and poet Erika L. Sánchez (Oct. 9), #1 NYT bestselling author Jason Reynolds (Oct. 22), cookbook author and TV personality Chef Art Smith (Nov. 20), and graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier (Dec. 10). Presented in partnership with 200+ public libraries across Illinois.

laptop screen showing magazine covers, hands on keyboard, at desk
New! Access to Thousands of Newspapers & Magazines via PressReader
INTERESTED IN UNLIMITED ACCESS to 7,000+ international newspapers and magazines, including The Economist? Try PressReader, a new resource for reading and downloading news and entertainment.
 
PressReader is intuitive and easy to use—you can view the catalog of publications and click on whatever you’d like to read. There’s a web version and an app. Both formats feature options for instant translation into 30+ languages, listening to the text, and downloading current issues for offline reading. 
 
PressReader is available at the main location or Douglass Branch, or you can use the resource at home by logging in with your library card. Outside of the library’s wifi network, choose “log in via library” and PressReader will take you to the login screen, where you can enter your library card number.
 
Choose the publication you’d like to read and you’re good to go. You can zoom in on an article or story, switch to text-only view, and click on photos to enlarge them. Questions? Ask us.
Get started with PressReader

portrait of smiling instructor, notebook, glasses
Writer’s Workshops & Open Mic

LIKE TO WRITE? This month mystery author Molly MacRae will lead a hands-on workshop on Hooking Your Readers (8/7). Connect with other area writers at Open Mic Night (8/21). The fall Writer’s Workshops season has been announced, including the annual Short Story Contest.

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 taking photos using your smartphone or tablet (8/6), cloud storage (8/12), and Windows 11 computers (8/13), plus workshops on organizing and storing digital files (8/20 & 27). Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. 

 
In August, you can try Illustration using Procreate on an iPad (8/19), taught by illustrator Liza Wynette, as part of the Specialty Tech series. Sign up online.
smiling instructor portrait, hand editing illustration of a fish on an iPad

5 people sitting together against a wall, smiling and talking
Business & Career Workshops

LOOKING FOR A JOB? Interested in growing a business or nonprofit? We can help! Scott Clanin will share his social media expertise, leading Instagram for Business 101 & 201 (8/8 & 20). Instructors also include Lauren Gramly, the library’s Business Specialist (8/27) and Kevin Martlage, president of Nextier Advisors (8/29).

8/6 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch
8/7 · Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm 
8/8 · Instagram for Business 101, 10 am
8/8 · SBDC Office Hours in Launch Business Center, drop in 12–3 pm
8/20 · Instagram for Business 201, 10 am
8/27 · Who Is Your Customer? Conducting Market Research at the Library, 6:30 pm
8/29 · Career Lunch & Learn | Having Difficult Conversations, 12 pm

Career Resources »
Business Resources »

READ FOR THE STARS!
Pick Up Your Prizes 
JOIN 3,946 community readers for the all-ages Read for the Stars! Summer Reading Challenge (ends August 15). It’s not too late! Prizes include books, astronaut plushies for kids, plus restaurant coupons and a cool tumbler for teens. Adult readers can win grand prize gift baskets (up to $330 value), including a travel telescope and hammock, LEGO kits, restaurant gift certificates, and swag from local businesses. Sign up » 
 
P.S. We’ve already given out 3,500+ prize books to kids and teens.

illustration of fox hanging from umbrella handle, flowers, title
FriendShop Bookstore Sales

DURING AUGUST, educators get 50% off everything 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

8/14–18 · Members’ Half-Price Sale
8/21–25 · Tag Bag Sale

 

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

August 2024

fluffy, swirling artwork hanging from lobby ceiling
Look up! Adriane Binky Donley’s installation ends August 4. Read more »
Event Calendar

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR KIDS & FAMILIES

smiling woman wearing hat and holding guitar

Jeanie B | Live Music for Kids!
Sat., Aug. 10, at 3 pm

The Studio logo
The Studio | Thursday Night Drop-in Hours
Thursdays from 5–7 pm
 
WANT TO CREATE something special? Drop in during open hours to explore The Studio! Library staff will be available to answer your questions.
hand holding homemade green slime

DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
Douglass Branch
(Meets at 3 pm on Aug. 7)

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES include Decorative Pins, Tech Toys, Slime Time, and Paper Airplane Challenge.

illustration of cats reading under lamp, reading log with star shapes for coloring
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 TEENS

orange pattern, Teen Lounge title
Teen Lounge
Every day after school starting August 12
3–4:30 pm
 
LOOKING FOR something exciting to do after school? Middle and high school students can stop by the library for activities and fun. Meets at Main Library in The Studio. On early-out days, activities start at 1 pm. 
Teen Week in the Studio
Aug. 1 & 2, from 2–4 pm
Middle and high school students are invited to drop by.

FOR ADULTS

torn paper abstract collage with blues, greens, pinks, and purples
Crafty Adults | Collage
Wed., Aug. 14, at 6 pm

Studio Workshop | Sewing 101
Wed., Aug. 28, at 6:30 pm
Learn how to use the Bernina sewing machines available in The Studio. Sign up starting August 1 »

illustration of hand holding colorful mic, Friday Night Jam Sessions title
Friday Night Jam Session
Fri., Aug. 23, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch
For adults & teens
colorful balls of yarn and flowers

Yarn & Shenanigans

Mon., Aug. 12 & 26, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch

Coffee and a Craft | Embroidery for Beginners

Thu., Aug. 8, at 2 pm
Douglass Branch

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 a nonprofit, master public speaking, or learn how to write a mystery—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start Aug. 14, Sep. 11, & Oct. 16 »

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

GET HELP with basic reading or math. Project READ offers free tutoring for adults.

Tutor Training for Project READ
Fri., Aug. 16, at 10 am
Sign up with Project READ »

BOOK DISCUSSION

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches book cover

Cover-to-Cover Book Club: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Thu., Aug. 8, at 1:30 pm

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

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 Every Week! 
 
Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am
 
Sensory-Friendly Storytime
Tue., Aug. 20, at 6:30 pm
Youth Social Story to help prepare for your visit »
Mother Goose illustration, with series name, Mother Goose on the Loose
Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
For infants to age 6. Meets at 11:15 am:
8/26 · Douglass Branch
8/28 · Main Library

New Releases button

WHAT’S NEW? New Releases hit the shelves every week on Tuesday mornings. 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!

Studio Drop-in Hours
The Studio logo
HAVE YOU EXPLORED The Studio? Enjoy drop-in hours on Saturdays (9–6), Sundays (12–6), and Thursdays (5–7). The Studio includes a makerspace, computer lab, gaming area, and recording studios. Time to try creating something new!
 
On weekends, you can reserve Studio tools and recording booths for 2 hours at a time. Many creative tools—including the computer lab and gaming devices—are available without reservations.
 
The Studio hosts activities for teens after school, creative workshops for adults in the evening, and is open to community members on weekends.
 
You can also Book-a-Librarian for one-on-one assistance or reserve equipment (like a Glowforge laser cutter, Cricut heat press, or recording booth) for your next Studio visit.

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
Thu 5–7

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

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