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Summer Reading Celebration |
Sun., Aug. 3, from 12–3 pm | ENJOY LIVE MUSIC and free icy treats—at the Oceans of Possibilities! Summer Reading Celebration. The all-ages celebration includes performances by a steel band combo led by Ricardo Flores (12–1:30 pm) and vocalist Katie Flynn with pianist Kurt Reeder (2–3 pm), face painting, free Kona Ice, bubble stations, crafts for kids, and big games. Be on the lookout for Pete the Cat who will be roaming the library all afternoon!
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Made possible with support from the Library Friends. |
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The Astounding Laura Ernst |
Saturday, Aug. 2, at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm, DON'T MISS KINETIC ARTIST Laura Ernst as she opens the show inside her human-sized hamster ball and keeps it all rolling with amazing stunts performed with juggling and hula hoops.
Laura performed on America’s Got Talent in its 5th season and once won first place at the World Juggling Federation! She has amazed audiences all over the world.
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Great Authors at the Library: Shelby Van Pelt Visits October 9 |
WE ARE THRILLED to host Shelby Van Pelt as our next Great Authors at the Library speaker on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 pm. Van Pelt’s debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures (Ecco, 2022) was an Instant New York Times Bestseller and a Read With Jenna Today Show book club pick. In 2023, she was awarded the Heartland Prize for Fiction and the McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize from The Writer’s Center. Remarkably Bright Creatures has sold over a million copies. It has spent, in aggregate, a year-plus on the NYT Hardcover Bestseller list. >> Shelby Van Pelt’s interview on PBS Books | Author Talk: Shelby Van Pelt | Season 2023, Episode 2 |
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Unbooked Kids on Fridays! |
JOIN US for family-friendly fun on Friday evenings at the library! 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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CALLING ALL EDUCATORS! During the month of August, educators enjoy 50% off everything at the FriendShop Bookstore! |
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Join us for Drop-in Hours in The Studio on Thursdays and Fridays from 5–8 pm. On Friday evenings all ages, beginner-friendly crafts are available to create at your own pace! Please ensure school-age kids and younger are accompanied by a caregiver or parent. |
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Second and fourth Thursdays of the month 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.
Presented in partnership with Busey Bank.
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Unbooked on Friday Evenings |
LOOKING FOR fun activities on Friday evenings? Look no further! Join us Fridays from 6–8 pm for Unbooked, which includes activities like Trivia, Puzzle Peace, Card Games, Bingo, and quarterly live music. 8/1 · Bingo8/8 · Trivia |
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Your library card gives you access to streaming Kanopy's more than 30,000 movies and TV shows! With Kanopy Kids, you can stream favorites like Reading Rainbow, MetKids, Sesame Street, and so much more! Get started » |
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1st + 3rd Saturdays, from 12–3 pm | WANT TO CREATE something special? Drop in during Saturday afternoon open hours (8/2 & 16) 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, hone your writing skills with local poet Jim O'Brien as he shares ideas and techniques at the Creative Writing Tips workshop (8/6). Later in the month, local fantasy author Ted Sanders will show you how to create a believable world for your characters to inhabit at his workshop on The Craft of Worldbuilding (8/20).
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Business & Career Workshops |
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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes introductory workshops on Microsoft Word (8/5 & 12) and Microsoft PowerPoint (8/19 & 26). Come to our 7 pm evening workshop this month to get started learning about Windows 11 computers (8/4). Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help!
In August, you can try Illustration using Procreate on an iPad (8/11), taught by illustrator Liza Wynette, as part of the Specialty Tech series. Sign up online. |
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VISITING AUGUST 5?
You'll need your library card number in order to check out. Thank you for your patience while we update our catalog. |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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Wendy & DB | Live Music for Kids!
Sat., Aug. 9, at 3 pm
Sing, dance, and jump along with Grammy-nominated children's music duo Wendy & DB as they perform their original songs with upbeat lyrics. |
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Babaloo | Live Music for Kids!
Sat., Aug 30, three shows!
11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
Be prepared for a family-friendly concert that is a high-energy, over-the-top, rousing experience full of music and laughter! |
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Studio Weekend Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Hands-on activities include toilet paper roll binoculars, tech toys, googly eyed hand puppets, and personalized canvas bags. |
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Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
Stop by on Thursday evenings for games, crafts, STEAM activities, and more, especially for families with school-aged kids. |
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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. |
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Summer Drop-in Hours for Club Fred
Friday Aug. 1 & 8 from 1–3 pm in The Makerspace at Douglass Branch.
Teens and school-age children (with their caregiver or parent) are invited to stop by for activities, games, and crafts.
Club Fred
Starting August 12 on Mon., Tues. & Thurs. from 4–5 pm at the Douglass Branch
Hang out with us afterschool for games, activities, and more! |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., Aug. 4 & 18, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch |
Coffee and a Craft | Beginner Cross Stitch for Adults
Thu., Aug. 14, 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 develop assertiveness, start your own edible garden, or become a romance novelist—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start August 13, September 17, and October 15. |
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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! |
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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
For infants to age 6.
8/25 · Douglass Branch
8/27 · 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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