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Friday Evening Hours are Back! |
Beginning Friday, July 11 | THE LIBRARY WILL BE OPEN Fridays from 9 am until 9 pm! This change will include new Friday evening programming for all ages. |
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LOOKING FOR fun activities on Friday evenings? Look no further! Join us Friday evenings from 6–8 pm for Unbooked, which will include activities of Trivia, Puzzle Peace, Card Games, Bingo and quarterly Live Music. 7/11 · Trivia, 6–8 pm 7/18 · Puzzle Peace, 6–8 pm 7/25 · Card Games, 6–8 pm |
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Unbooked Kids on Fridays! |
JOIN US for family-friendly fun on Friday evenings at the library! Beginning July 11, drop in from 6–8 pm for rotating crafts and activities for children that are sure to inspire wonder and imagination! |
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DROP-IN HOURS ARE EXPANDING in The Studio on Thursdays and Fridays in July! Also, on Friday evenings library staff will have beginner-friendly crafts available between 5–8 pm to create at your own pace! |
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ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES, performances, and celebrations at our Oceans of Possibilities! Summer Series, including music by Grammy-nominated musicians.
Oceans of Possibilities! Summer Series
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JOIN US for Tuesdays at Ten to enjoy coffee, socialize, and learn something new. This month, Dr. Michael Jeffords, author, wildlife photographer, and retired entomologist from the Illinois Natural History Survey, will lead a fascinating four-part series about nature and its importance from the perspective of habitats, the magic of water, mass spectacles of wildlife, and nocturnal creatures.
Tuesdays at Ten | Appreciating Nature in Four Parts
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Second and fourth Thursdays of the month, through Aug 28, from 6–7 pm, at Douglass Branch | GET YOUR FINANCIAL QUESTIONS answered at the Summer 2025 Money Matter$ Financial Pathways Workshops with Assistant Vice President and Community Banking Mortgage Loan Officer Michelle Stallmeyer from Busey Bank. Attend any or all sessions with no registration required.
MONEY MATTER$ | Summer 2025
Presented in partnership with Busey Bank.
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Time for Kids, Teens & All Ages to create something special! |
STOP BY this summer to create something new in The Makerspace at Douglass Branch and in The Studio. Enjoy drop-in hours during the week for kids, teens, and all ages—plus open hours on weekends.
Summer Drop-in Hours for Club Fred in the NEW Makerspace at Douglass, Fridays from 1–3 pm. Teens and school-age children (with their caregiver or parent) are invited to stop by for activities, games, and crafts.
Saturday Drop-in Hours in the NEW Makerspace at Douglass – 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 12–3 pm. For all ages.
Kids in the Studio! – Wednesdays, 2–4 pm. School-age children are invited to stop by with their parent or caregiver for crafting. (Through July 30)
Teens in the Studio – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2–4 pm. Middle and high school students, including fifth-grade graduates, are invited to drop by. (Through July 31)
Thursday and Friday Night Drop-in Hours in The Studio – Thursdays + Fridays, drop in 5–8 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 visit.
The Studio »
The Makerspace » |
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Sunday, July 20, at 2 pm | IS YOUR CHILD STARTING PRESCHOOL? We can help to make the transition easier. We will discuss a timeline to help guide you and your toddler through this major milestone, as well as sharing practical tips to navigate the process. Enjoy refreshments and time to chat before and after the presentation, plus ask questions. Part of the Growing Together series for parents. |
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1st + 3rd Saturdays, from 12–3 pm | WANT TO CREATE something special? Drop in during Saturday afternoon open hours to explore all The Makerspace has to offer! Library staff will be available to answer your questions. Walk-ins welcome!
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LIKE TO WRITE? This month, you can connect with other writers at Writers Lounge (7/2). Or, come to Open Mic Night (7/16) and share your own poetry, spoken word, or flash fiction with fellow writers or community members. Sign up to participate or drop by and enjoy as an audience member. Find details about our Writer’s Workshop series and annual contest on our website. |
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DID YOU KNOW everyone can win prize books and more with the all-ages Oceans of Possibilities! Summer Reading Challenge? Grand prize gift baskets for adults include a Kindle Paperwhite, a Kodak Ultra Mini portable projector, and “The Great Wave” Lego kit! Sign up » |
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Business & Career Workshops |
NEED HELP with your job search or business venture? Local experts leading workshops this month include Shannon McFarland, Publicist, Champion Diaries Management (four-part series, 7/9, 16, 23, & 30), Scott Clanin, owner of Clanin Creative (7/8 & 22), and Alejandra Aquero, Employment Security Program Representative at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) (7/31). 7/1 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch7/2 · Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm7/8 · Social Media 101, 2 pm 7/9 · From Insights to Impact, Part 1, 11:30–1 pm 7/10 · SBDC Office Hours, drop in 12–3 pm 7/16 · From Insights to Impact, Part 2, 11:30–1 pm 7/22 · Social Media 201, 2 pm 7/23 · From Insights to Impact, Part 3, 11:30–1 pm 7/30 · From Insights to Impact, Part 4, 11:30–1 pm 7/31 · Career Lunch & Learn | IDES: Resources for Job Seekers, 12 pmBusiness 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 Kindles (7/1), Taking Photos with Smartphones & Tablets (7/8), Microsoft Excel (7/15 & 22), and Google Sheets (7/29). Come to our 7 pm evening workshop this month for an introduction to Google Slides (7/14). Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help! |
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Both locations will be closed on Friday, July 4. Book returns are always open. |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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Cowboy Randy Erwin
Sat., July 5
Three showtimes!
11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm
Check out “The Yodeling Cowboy” as he entertains all ages with cowboy music, folklore, history, and rope tricks. |
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Family Fun Night
Thursdays, at 6:30 pm
Family Fun Night is a weekly evening for games, crafts, STEAM activities. Great for families with school-aged kids. |
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Bedazzling Butterfly Tents
Sat., July 12, from 12–4 pm
Learn all about butterflies and spend time in an indoor butterfly tent where you get to observe live butterflies flying, eating, and more! |
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Jeanie B! | Live Music for Kids!
Sat., July 26, 3 pm
Jeanie B!’s high energy show encourages kids to get up and move while exploring topics such as kindness, honesty, and fairness. |
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Studio Weekend Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
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The Studio | Thursday and Friday Night Drop-in Hours
Thursdays + Fridays from 5–8 pm
For all ages |
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Activities include pool noodle crafts, tech toys, paper cup lighthouse, galaxy jar, and paper pinwheel. |
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Oceans of Possibilities! Summer Reading Challenge for Kids
Sign up » |
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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 (through July 31). |
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Summer Drop-in Hours for Club Fred
Fridays from 1–3 pm in the NEW Makerspace at the Douglass Branch.
Teens and school-age children (with their caregiver or parent) are invited to stop by for activities, games, and crafts. |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., July 7 & 21, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch |
Coffee and a Craft | Beginner Knitting for Adults
Thu., July 10, at 2 pm
Douglass Branch |
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Project READ Tutoring
Fridays at 9:30 am |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale Courses. Learn how to start a nonprofit, play guitar, or master public speaking—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start July 16, August 13, and September 17. |
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Cover-to-Cover Book Club: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Thu., July 10, at 1:30 pm |
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Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
11:15 am
7/28 · Douglass Branch
7/30 · Main Library |
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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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