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Construction Begins on New Douglass Branch Makerspace |
WE ARE THRILLED to announce a new innovative space inside the Douglass Branch. We will be remodeling an underutilized area—transforming it into a new makerspace that provides access to technology and cultivates creativity in our community. Construction begins in early December with the new makerspace opening in Spring 2025.
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The Douglass Branch Makerspace will offer tech tools and programming resources for community members to enjoy and learn about while visiting the Douglass Branch. Creative tools will include VR headsets, Cricut machines, a Glowforge Aura laser cutter, 3D printing, sewing machines, and a recording booth. Similar to the The Studio, the new makerspace will offer a combination of workshops, drop-in hours, and Book-a-Librarian appointments.
Made possible with support from the Library Foundation and Library Friends. |
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Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12–3 pm | FOLLOW THE MAGICAL PATH through the library to discover a giant game board, a photo booth, and candy-themed activities! All ages are invited. |
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So You Want to Start a Nonprofit |
Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 pm | ARE YOU PASSIONATE about helping others? Is starting a nonprofit the best way to turn your vision into a reality? Genevieve Kirk, Director, Center for Nonprofit Excellence, at the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, will share the steps involved with starting a charitable nonprofit organization in Illinois. Join this session to learn the key ingredients you’ll need in order to define your purpose and programs, file articles of incorporation, develop a board of directors, and optimize your fundraising efforts. The workshop will include a Q&A for feedback from Genevieve and alums of the Community Solutions Incubator.
Presented in partnership with the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois.
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The Magic of Raina Telgemeier |
Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 pm | ENJOY A VIRTUAL VISIT with #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel author, illustrator, and critically acclaimed comics artist Raina Telgemeier. Her work includes the graphic novels Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts, and Guts, as well as four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, which she adapted and illustrated. All ages are welcome. Sign up to get the Zoom link.
Presented in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a coalition of 200 public libraries.
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Thank You for Your Support! |
WE APPRECIATE your support! Support from community members allows us to enrich our resources and services, providing more mobile wifi hotspots, books for kids to keep, career help, storytimes, innovative tech in The Studio and the new Douglass Branch makerspace, and digital books and magazines. You can show your Library Love with a donation to the Champaign Public Library Foundation. |
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Crafty Adults: Bad Art Night |
Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6 pm | HAVE FUN and create something truly original at Bad Art Night, this month’s Crafty Adults workshop. Space is limited. Sign up starting December 1 » |
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Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 pm | LIKE TO WRITE? Come to this month’s Open Mic Night to share your poetry, spoken word, or flash fiction with fellow writers and community members. Sign up to participate or just stop by to be part of the audience. You can also mark your calendar for Writer’s Workshops in Spring 2025. |
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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 all area high school students. Made possible with support from the Library Foundation. Sign up by January 2. |
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Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs |
LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! Local experts presenting this month include Genevieve Kirk, Director of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence at the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (12/3), and Scott Clanin, President of Clanin Creative (12/12). 12/3 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch
12/3 · So You Want to Start a Nonprofit, 7 pm
12/4 · Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm
12/12 · Website Audit Checklist for 2025, 10 am
12/12 · Business Help, drop in 12–3 pm
12/19 · Career Lunch & Learn: Tech Tips for Your Job Search, 12 pm
Business Resources »
Career Resources » |
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Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 pm | BRRR! The weather has turned cold so it’s time to build a snowman—a snowman craft that is! Part of the Family Fun Night series featuring a new activity or craft each week. |
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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes hands-on workshops on taking photos with smartphones or tablets (12/3), as well as introductions to E-Library resources—Ebooks, Audiobooks, & Magazines (12/10) and Movies, Music, & More (12/17). In case you aren’t able to attend the daytime workshop on taking photos, it is also being offered at 7 pm on 12/9. Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help! |
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Already comfortable with a computer? We also offer Specialty Tech workshops. Professional photographer Mike Heiniger will teach you the basics of Adobe Lightroom, including how to edit images. Sign up online or by calling 217/403-2000. |
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Open Wednesday–Sunday from 1–4 pm
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FriendShop Bookstore Sales |
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THE LIBRARY will be closed December 24 and 25. Both locations will stay open until 6 pm on December 31, and will be closed on New Year’s Day. Book returns and the E-Library are always open! |
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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Studio Drop-in Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
• Plus Thursdays, 5–7 pm, this month! (Dec. 5, 12, & 19)
DROP IN during open hours to explore the 8,000 sq. ft. Studio at the Main Library—and create something new! The Studio » |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., Dec. 2, 16, & 30, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch |
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Medicare Help
Tue., Dec. 3, from 1–5 pm
>> Open enrollment for Medicare ends December 7. Call 217/403-2000 to sign up for help with your application. Sign up » |
Coffee and a Craft | Rice Hand Warmers
Thu., Dec. 12, at 2 pm
Douglass Branch |
Project READ Tutoring
Drop in Fridays from 9:30–11:30 am*
*No meeting Dec. 27 |
Project READ Introduction to Tutor Training
Fri., Dec. 13, at 10 am
Sign up » |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale Courses. Learn how to use QuickBooks, explore a career in nursing, or take a math refresher—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Dec. 18, Jan. 15, & Feb. 12 » |
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• 12/19 & 20, from 1:30–4:30 pm
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LOOKING FOR something exciting to do after school? Teens are invited to stop by for activities and fun.
We follow the Champagin Unit 4 School District schedule. Teen Lounge ends 12/20 and starts again next year on 1/8/2025.
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Table Talk Book Club: Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown
Tue., Dec. 10, at 6:30 pm
Meets at Main Library in The Studio during construction of the Douglass Branch Makerspace.
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Slavic Instrument Petting Zoo
Thu., Dec. 12, at 6:30 pm
Presented in partnership with the U of I Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center. |
DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm*
Douglass Branch
>> Snowy Day Crafts, Stop Motion Movies, Slime Time
*No meeting Dec. 25 |
Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm*
>> Stick Snowman Ornament Craft, Slavic Instrument Petting Zoo, Snow Globes
*No meeting Dec. 26 |
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Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
Mon., Dec. 30, at 11:15 am
Douglass Branch |
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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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