20+ LOCAL EMPLOYERS & RESOURCES |
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Tue., Feb. 17, from 5:30–7:30 pm | NEW YEAR, NEW JOB? Stop by the Community Job Fair for an opportunity to meet with local employers, learn about career resources available at the library, and enter for the chance to win prizes, including a Chromebook. Part of the Get that Job! series. >> Which 20 employers & job coaches will be there? |
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Sun., Feb. 1, at 2 pm | CELEBRATE A NEW EXHIBITION, “The Art Connection: Schools to Library,” with kids, teens, and art teachers from Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, Carrie Busey Elementary School, and Dr. Howard Elementary School. This series showcases artwork by 150 students from Champaign Unit 4 schools each year. The artwork will be on display through April in the FriendShop on the lower level and in the Children’s area on the first floor. |
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21st ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE BOOKS |
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21 Years of Celebrating Black History by Reading Great Books |
Sat., Feb. 28, from 11 am–4 pm | STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 to 5 will celebrate Black History Month by challenging their book knowledge in our 21st annual Battle of the Books. This year’s Battle of the Books list includes 20 Great Books Linked to Black History. Teams will compete at the main location in the morning (11 am) or afternoon (1:30 pm), with winners advancing to the finals (3 pm). Call 217.403.2090 by February 1 to sign up your team. Above: Barkstall Elementary School’s team took home the trophy in 2025. |
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IN FEBRUARY, FIND OUT what it was like to visit the Pyramids or the Taj Mahal at the beginning of the twentieth century. In this six-week series, historian Fred Christensen will use his collection of vintage Baedeker guidebooks to give us a tour of the more exotic parts of the world. No fees. No registration. Just socializing and learning something new! |
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Virtual Visit with Bestselling Author R.L. Stine |
Tue., Feb. 24, at 7 pm | STILL AFRAID OF THE DARK: An Evening with R.L. Stine—witty, creepy, and compulsively readable, bestselling author R.L. Stine defined horror for a generation of young readers. Join us as he discusses his illustrious and still-expanding body of work. Sign up to get the Zoom link. |
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LOOKING FOR fun activities on Friday evenings? Look no further! Join us from 6–8 pm for Unbooked, which includes activities like Trivia, Card Games, Bingo, and Puzzle Peace!
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Wed., Feb. 18, from 6–7 pm | LEARN HOW to use the Glowforge machine available in The Makerspace at the Douglass Branch. Sign up starting Feb. 2 » |
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LIKE TO WRITE? This month, join us for Open Mic Night (2/4) where you can share your poetry, spoken word, and flash fiction with fellow writers and community members. Later in the month, bestselling and award-winning romance author Julie Navickas will share tips on how to master the genre of romance (2/18). Find details about our Writer’s Workshop series and annual contest on our website. |
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Thu., Feb. 19, at 6 pm | Join Mark Wolters of Wolters World as he shares tips and tricks for Budget Friendly Travel! Mark Wolters is an award-winning travel vlogger and educator. His Wolters World travel YouTube channel has over 215,000,000 views and 940,000 subscribers.
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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, President of Clanin Creative (2/3), Bill Whitman, Jr., award-winning media and communications expert and advisor (2/24), and Sarah Von Holten of Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC (2/26).
Business Resources »
Career Resources » |
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Get Free Help with Your Taxes |
LOOKING FOR free tax assistance? Sign up to meet with IRS-certified volunteers at the library through April 16. Contact Stevick Senior Center at 217.359.6500 to make an appointment. Presented in partnership with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program. Read more » |
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This month, join us for a specialty tech workshop
Digitizing Physical Media (2/16). Instructor David Needham will guide you through the process of scanning old photos, slides, or documents, using equipment you can access locally. Part of our Specialty Tech series. |
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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! |
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JOIN US for family-friendly fun on Friday evenings at Unbooked Kids at the library! Drop in from 6–8 pm for rotating crafts and activities for kids that are sure to inspire wonder and imagination! |
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
Hands-on activities include Black History Art, Tech Toys, Mancala Boards, and Pool Noodle Structures. |
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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* 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 Feb. 16. |
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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! |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale Courses. Learn how to grow an edible garden, design games in different platforms, or write effective grant proposals—there’s something for everyone. Gale Courses start Feb. 11, Mar. 18, & Apr. 15. |
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
11:15 am For infants to age 6. 2/23 · 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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