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Short Story Contest, Awards Ceremony, & Reading |
DO YOU WRITE? Entries are due by November 8 for the sixth annual Short Story Contest. Three top stories will be read aloud at the Awards Ceremony & Reading and published on the library website. The grand prize includes a one-on-one consultation with author Julie Navickas, a headshot for your portfolio, and a yearlong membership to MasterClass. Get contest details and read stories by previous winners on our website. Read more » |
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Teens Can Win $5,000 with the Young Entrepreneur Program |
DO YOU KNOW a high school student who is interested in starting and growing a business? The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) runs from February through May, 2025. YEP participants can win up to $5,000 in seed money for their business. The program is free and open to area high school students. Made possible with support from the Library Foundation. Space is limited. Sign up starting November 1. |
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Opening Reception for “The Art Connection” |
Sun., Nov 3, at 3 pm | CELEBRATE A NEW EXHIBITION, “The Art Connection: Schools to Library,” with kids, teens, and art teachers from Barkstall Elementary, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, and Central High School. This series showcases artwork by 150 students from Champaign Unit 4 schools each year. Enjoy lemonade and cookies in the FriendShop Bookstore. The artwork will be on display through January in the FriendShop on the lower level and in the Children’s area on the first floor. |
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WE PROVIDE enriching resources for community members of all ages. Your donation enhances and makes possible services like The Studio at the Library, home libraries for kids, digital books and magazines, mobile wifi hotspots, Great Authors at the Library visits, and assistance with searching for a job and starting and growing a business. Give a gift to the Champaign Public Library Foundation online or mail a check to Champaign Public Library Foundation, 200 W. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820. Your support is needed and appreciated. Thank you! |
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Have you seen our Library Love videos? Charlisa Hart (above) and ten more community members share why they love Champaign Public Library. |
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Holiday Tips & Tricks with Chef Art Smith |
Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 pm | ENJOY A VIRTUAL VISIT with prolific cookbook author, multiple restaurant owner, and television personality Chef Art Smith. His training began at the Florida Culinary Institute, and he then honed his skills with top chefs in France. For ten years he was Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. His restaurants include Reunion on the Chicago Navy Pier. Smith’s work celebrates Southern flavors, inclusivity, and culinary innovation. Sign up to get the Zoom link »
Presented in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a coalition of 200 public libraries.
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Crafty Adults: No Sew Book Binding |
Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 6 pm | LEARN TECHNIQUES for binding books without sewing at this month’s Crafty Adults workshop. Sign up starting Nov. 1 » |
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INTERESTED IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE? Stop by Tuesdays at Ten during November for coffee, socializing, and a chance to learning something new about AI. Meets in The Studio this month.
Tuesdays at Ten | All About AI • 10 am
11/5 · Demystifying AI – Sabaita Mohsin
11/12 · How to Use AI in Your Day-to-Day Life – Brad Miller
11/19 · Using LLMs like ChatGPT to Write Your Autobiography – Jim Harmon |
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Understanding FAFSA & College Financial Aid |
Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6 pm | QUESTIONS about college financial aid? Megan Hanson and Sydni Wendling from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission will show you how to apply for financial aid and more at Understanding FAFSA & College Financial Aid. Note: The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is scheduled to open on December 1, 2024. Part of the Money Matter$ series. |
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NEED HELP applying for Medicare? Call 217/403-2000 or sign up online to make an appointment with Nicole Mitchell, Senior Services Specialist for Champaign County Health Care Consumers (Tuesdays, from 1–5 pm, through December 3). |
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Career & Business Workshops |
LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! Local experts presenting this month include Scott Clanin, Owner and President of Clanin Creative (11/14 & 20), Danielle Hendricks, Director of Business Development for Pixo (11/19), and Ranija Thurmon, Human Resource Coordinator for the City of Urbana (11/21). 11/5 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch
11/6 · Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm
11/14 · Mastering Instagram Reels: An Interactive Walkthrough, 10 am
11/14 · Business Help, drop in 12–3 pm
11/19 · The Fundamentals of Sales, 6 pm
11/20 · Understanding SEO: Boosting Your Business Visibility, 2 pm
11/21 · Career Lunch & Learn: Mastering Resumes & Cover Letters, 12 pm
Business Resources »
Career Resources » |
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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes introductory workshops on Google Slides, iPhones & iPads, and Android Phones & Tablets (also offered at 7 pm on 11/11). Curious about online shopping? Sign up for an introduction including Technology Librarian Susan Winkler’s advice on staying safe—just in time for the holidays! (11/26) Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help! |
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Open Wednesday–Sunday from 1–4 pm
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50% Off Children’s Books at the FriendShop in November |
SHOP LOCAL! You’ll get 50% off all kids’ and teen items this month at the FriendShop Bookstore. Open to everyone, the shop includes more than 20,000 books, movies, and audiobooks, and is located on the lower level of the Main Library.
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!
11/13–17 · Members’ Half-Price Sale
11/20–24 · Tag Bag Sale |
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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! |
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Both locations will be closed Friday, November 8, for staff training, and Thursday, November 28, for Thanksgiving Day. |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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Studio Drop-in Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
• Thursdays, 5–7 pm
DROP IN during open hours to explore our 8,000 sq. ft. makerspace at the Main Library—and create something new! The Studio » |
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THE LIBRARY is a universal voting site, open for early voting and on Election Day. Read more »
Voting at the Library
11/1 · 11 am–6 pm
11/2 · 10 am–4 pm
11/3 · 1–4 pm
11/4 · 11 am–6 pm
11/5 · 6 am–7 pm |
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Intro to Online Shopping
Tue., Nov. 26, at 2 pm
(15 participants)
Sign up » |
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Intro to Glowforge
Wed., Nov. 27, at 6:30 pm
Learn how to use the Glowforge machines available in The Studio. Sign up starting Nov. 1 » |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., Nov. 4 & 18, at 6 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
Coffee and a Craft | Tulle Turkey
Thu., Nov. 14, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
Project READ Tutoring
Fridays, Nov. 1, 15, 22
Drop in from 9:30–11:30 am. |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
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LINKEDIN LEARNING offers 16,000 video tutorials taught by industry experts, available anytime. Get help learning everything from graphic design to customer service skills and management tips. LinkedIn Learning » |
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LOOKING FOR something exciting to do after school? Middle and high school students are invited to stop by for activities and fun.
*Champaign Unit 4 schools are closed on Nov. 5, 27, 28, 29, and the library will be closed Nov. 8, so Teen Lounge will not be offered those days.
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Science Magic with Magnets
Sat., Nov.23, at 3 pm
You will be amazed to see what magnets and conductors can do with energy! |
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Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids!
Thu., Nov.21, at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
ENJOY A STORYTIME and snacks—and learn about oral health for parents and kids. |
LEGO Club
Sat., Nov. 9, at 3 pm
For kids ages 5 and up with a caregiver or parent. |
DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Activities include: Rainbow Loom, Tech Toys, Pool Noodle Structures, and Plastic Cup Stacking. |
Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm*
Activities include: Read to the Dogs, Button Art, and Doodle Owl Lanterns.
*No meeting on Nov. 28.
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Bilingual Storytime:
Spanish, Guaraní, & English
Tue., Nov. 12, at 6:30 pm |
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
For infants to age 6. Meets at 11:15 am:
11/25 · Douglass Branch
11/27 · Main Library |
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