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Brian Barnhart Returns for “A Penny for Your Thoughts” Live Broadcast at the Library |
Wed., Dec. 3, from 9–11 am | Don't miss Brian Barnhart, host of the WDWS radio show, "A Penny for Your Thoughts," as he broadcasts live from the library. He'll be interviewing Library Director Brittany Millington and others to kick off the library's 150th Anniversary Campaign! Barnhart is well known to Illini fans for his play-by-play announcing during University of Illinois football and basketball games. |
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Enjoy Harps at the Library |
Fri., Dec. 5, at 5 pm | ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SOUNDS of harps while visiting the library! Various harpists of all ages from The Central Illinois Chapter of the American Harp Society will perform their favorite solos for community members. |
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Sat., Dec. 6, from 2–4 pm | JOIN US to build and decorate a paper bag gingerbread house to add to your cheerful holiday decorations. All ages are welcome! |
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Wed., Dec. 17, from 6–7 pm | LEARN HOW to use the Cricut machines available in The Makerspace at the Douglass Branch. Sign up starting Dec. 1 » |
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LIKE TO WRITE? Hone your skills at one of our Writer’s Workshops. This month you can get guidance on Writing & Arranging a Short Story Collection (12/3) from Ekta R. Garg, and come to Open Mic Night to share your poetry, spoken word, and flash fiction with fellow writers and community members (12/17). Find details about our Writer’s Workshop series and annual contest on our website. |
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LOOKING FOR fun activities on Friday evenings? Look no further! Join us Fridays from 6–8 pm for Unbooked, which includes activities like Trivia, Card Games, Bingo, and Puzzle Peace.
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JOIN US for family-friendly fun on Friday evenings at the library! Drop in from 6–8 pm for rotating crafts and activities for kids that are sure to inspire wonder and imagination!*No event on Dec. 26.
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Business & Career Workshops |
NEED HELP with your job search or business venture? Local experts leading workshops this month include Scott Clanin, owner of Clanin Creative (12/4), Mandy Blackburn and Amanda Royse from Pronata Marketing + Design (12/9), and Kevin Martlage, President of Nextier Advisors (12/18).
*Some events require registration.
Business Resources »
Career Resources » |
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WANT TO CRAFT A CAPTIVATING LOGO for your business? If you’re creating your own logo, or tweaking an existing one, this hands-on workshop is for you. At the Logo Like a Pro workshop, presenters Mandy Blackburn and Amanda Royse of Pronata Marketing + Design will walk through the must-have elements of an effective logo design, including font choices, color use, scalability, and visual balance. Then, we’ll dive into Canva and get to work!
Bring your logo idea or an in-progress design, and get real-time feedback to help polish and refine it. Whether you're starting from scratch or just need a professional eye, you'll leave with a stronger, more confident visual identity.
Note: Presenters will ask participants to submit their draft logo design (if they have one) ahead of time. They will then choose a few to review/redesign in front of the class so participants can see the strategies that are being taught implemented in real time. |
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Wed., Dec. 31, from 2–4 pm | Stop by The Studio for fun activities, games, and crafts, for school-age kids 1st through 5th grade with a caregiver. |
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Sign Up for the Young Entrepreneur Program |
Want to start and grow a business? The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) engages, educates, and empowers area high school students through entrepreneurship. The program runs from February through early May 2026 and is free and open to all area high school students! More About YEP » |
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Sun., Dec. 14, from 1–3 pm | READY TO RACE? Gather up a team of four of your most dexterous friends and compete against other teams to see who can finish a 500 piece puzzle the fastest! Sign up to compete » |
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Join us for Drop-in Hours in The Makerspace at the Douglass Branch Library on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 12–3 pm. Walk-ins are welcome or reserve tools online. Reserve Makerspace Tools » |
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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! |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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Studio Weekend Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
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Drop-in Hours in The Studio
Thursdays and Fridays from 5–8 pm
On Friday evenings, beginner-friendly crafts for all ages are available to create at your own pace!
*No event on Dec. 25 |
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Hands-on activities include Balloon Straw Rocket, Tech Toys, Pool Noodle Structures, and Plastic Cup Stacking Challenge. |
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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.
*No event on Dec. 25. |
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Teen Lounge
Every day after school* from 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.
*Does not meet from Dec. 22 through Jan. 5. |
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Club Fred
Mon., Tues. & Thurs. from 4–5 pm at the Douglass Branch
Hang out with us after school for games, activities, and more!
*Does not meet on Dec. 25 |
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Project READ Introduction to Tutor Training
Fri., Dec. 12, 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 write a mystery, take a math refresher, or learn how to make luscious and lightning-quick meals—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start Dec. 17 & Jan 14. |
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Cover-to-Cover Book Club
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Thu., Dec. 11, at 1:30 pm |
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
11:15 am For infants to age 6. 12/29 · 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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