August 2026 | News

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What do author Maggie Su, the “Join the Party!” summer reading celebration, and dinosaurs have in commonYour library!

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Great Authors at the Library |An Evening with Maggie Su

Thursday, August 13, at 7 pm | JOIN US for a An Evening with Maggie Su, author of the novel Blob: A Love Story which was named one of the best books of 2025 by Debutiful, Electric Literature, and The New Yorker. Books will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow the presentation.

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Dino Academy
Saturday, August 1, at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm | GET READY to step into the prehistoric world with Dino Academy with the quirky and curious Dr. Sarah Tops, presented by Bright Star Touring Theatre. Featuring life-like, colorful dinosaur puppets, this show combines science, storytelling, and imagination in the style of your favorite nature programs. This action-packed adventure will uncover fascinating dino facts that will wow even the biggest dinosaur fans!

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Summer Reading Celebration
Sun., Aug. 2, from 12–3 pm | ENJOY LIVE MUSIC and free icy treats—at the Join the Party! Summer Reading Celebration. The all-ages celebration includes a jazz performance by the Church Street Ramblers, face painting, free Kona Ice, bubble stations, crafts for kids, and big games.
 
Don’t forget to pick up your prizes for the Summer Reading Challenge (through August 15). Let’s celebrate!

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Makerspace Workshop
Wednesday, August 19, from 6–7 pm | LEARN HOW to use the Glowforge machine available in The Makerspace at the Douglass Branch. Sign up starting August 1 »

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Studio Workshop
Wednesday, August 26, from 6:30–8 pm | LEARN HOW to use the Cricut machines available in The Studio. Sign up starting August 1 »

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Writer’s Workshops
LIKE TO WRITE? This month, writers can learn about traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, when you might need an agent, and whether independent publishing is the right path for you in the workshop Novice to Novelist: The Path to Getting Published led by local author Ekta Garg (8/5)Later in the month, join us for Open Mic Night (8/19) where you can share your work with fellow writers and community members. Sign up to participate or just swing by to enjoy the performances as an audience member.

colorful crafting materials with "CLUB FRED" in bold text
Club Fred

JOIN US at the Douglass Branch this summer for games, activities, and more! Club Fred meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4–5 pm for school-aged kids.

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Money Matter$ | Retirement: Making Your Money Last
Thursday, August 20, at 6 pm | QUESTIONS about planning your retirement? Nathan Blackburn, financial advisor at Edward Jones, will show you how to turn your vision for retirement into a lasting financial reality. Attend in person at the Douglass Branch or sign up for the Zoom link to attend online.
 
Presented in partnership with Edward Jones. Part of the Money Matter$ series.

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Business & Career Workshops
NEED HELP with your job search or business venture? Local experts leading workshops this month include Shari Fox, founder of Fox Philanthropic Advisors (8/4), Warner Lin, fractional CFO & founder of Extension Of (8/24), and Scott Clanin, President of Clanin Creative (8/25).  
 
8/4 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch
8/13 · Business Help, 12 pm

Business Resources »
Career Resources »

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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series includes the following introductory workshops. Sign up online or give us a call at 217.403.2000.

 

8/4 · Intro to Microsoft Word, Part I, 2 pm
8/10 · Intro to Microsoft Excel, 7 pm
8/11 · Intro to Microsoft Word, Part II, 2 pm

8/18 · Intro to Google Docs, 2 pm

8/25 · Intro to Cloud Storage, 2 pm

Photo of a colorful makerspace with event text information
In August, you can learn the basics of 3D printing at 3D Printing for Adults and create your own trinket box using TinkerCad (8/24, 6:30–8:30 pm). Registration is currently full for this workshop.

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Unbooked in August
LOOKING FOR fun activities on Friday evening? Stop by the library on Fridays from 6–8 pm for Unbooked, which includes activities like Trivia, Card Games, Bingo, and live music!
 
8/7 · Bingo
8/14 · Trivia
8/21 · Puzzle Peace
8/28 · Card Games

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Unbooked Kids

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.

8/7 · Mini Lighthouse
8/14 · Games Old and New
8/21 · Sneaky Cupcakes
8/28 · Constellations

August 2026

Event Calendar

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

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The Makerspace at Douglass Branch Drop-in Hours
Drop in on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month from 12–3 pm, to explore The Makerspace!
Reserve equipment »

FOR KIDS & FAMILIES

teen girl reading a book outside with text "Spring Reading Challenge for Teens"

Don't forget to pick up your prizes by August 15 for the Join the Party! Summer Reading Challenge!

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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 3 pm through August 5, and
Wednesdays at 4 pm starting August 12
@ Douglass Branch

Stop by on Wednesday afternoons for fun do-it-yourself activities. For school-aged kids.

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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.

FOR TEENS

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Teen Lounge
Teen Lounge is back Wednesday, August 13!

FOR ADULTS

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Friday Night Jam Sessions

Fri., August 28, from 6–8 pm
Fourth Fridays
@ Douglass Branch
Sign up to perform »
For adults & teens.  
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Crafty Adults | Upcycled Map Mobiles

Wed., August 12, at 6 pm
Sign up starting August 1 »

colorful balls of yarn and flowers

Yarn & Shenanigans

Mon., August 3 & 17 at 6 pm
Douglass Branch

Coffee and a Craft | Mandala Rock Painting

Thu., August 13, at 2 pm
Douglass Branch

Project READ Tutoring
Fridays at 9:30 am

Project READ Introduction to Tutoring
Fri., August 14, at 10 am
Sign up!

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Gale Courses Start Monthly

NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale  Courses taught by college instructors. Gale Courses start Aug. 12, Sep. 16, & Oct. 14.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Everything is Tuberculosis book cover

Cover-to-Cover Book Club:
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
Thu., August 13, at 1:30 pm

 

What Should My Book Club Read Next? We have multiple copies of 20+ titles to check out!

FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Pajama Storytime
Tue., August 4 & 18, at 6:30 pm at Douglass Branch
Saturday Storytime Saturdays at 9:45 &
10:30 am
Take & Make for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am
Sensory-Friendly Storytime
Tue., Aug. 11, at 6:30 pm
Children dancing and smiling during storytime
NEW TIMES FOR FALL!

Starting August 31
, the times for the following storytimes at the Main Library will change:
 
Baby Storytime
Mondays at 9:30, 10, & 10:30 am
 
Toddler Storytime
Tuesdays at 9:30, 10, and 10:30 am
 
Preschool Storytime
Wednesdays at 9:30 & 10:30 am
 
Saturday Storytime
Saturdays at 9:30 &
10:30 am
 
Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
Douglass: Last Monday of the month at 11:30 am
Main Library: Last Wednesday of the month
at 11:30 am
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
For infants to age 6.
8/26 · 11:15 am, Main Library
8/31 · 11:30 Douglass Branch

*Note: all Mother Goose on the Loose Storytimes at both branches will meet at 11:30 am beginning August 31.

Blue patterned background: New Releases

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. 

Open Wednesday–Sunday from 1–4 pm

FriendShop Bookstore Specials

DURING AUGUST, educators get 50% off everything at the FriendShop Bookstore! Open to everyone, the shop includes more than 20,000 used books, movies, and audiobooks, and is located on the lower level of the Main Library. Most items are $2 or less. And the best part? All the money you spend goes right back to the library!

 

• Augut 12–16 · Members’ Half-Price Sale
• August 26–30 · Tag Bag Sale

 

Want to help? Joining the Library Friends is easy. Thank you for supporting the library!

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Main Library
217.403.2000
200 W. Green St.
Champaign, Illinois
Mon–Fri  9–9
Sat 9–6 | Sun 12–6

Douglass Branch
217.403.2090
504 E. Grove St.
Champaign, Illinois
Mon–Thu 10–8
Fri 10–6 | Sat 10–4


FriendShop Bookstore
Lower level, Main Library
Wed–Sun 1–4

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Champaign Public Library
200 W. Green St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217.403.2000
 
Douglass Branch Library 
504 E. Grove St. 
Champaign, IL 61820 
217.403.2090

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