Game Night at the Library: Wingspan
2025-02-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for a fun game night featuring Wingspan, a popular strategy board game about birdwatching and conservation! Perfect for beginners and experienced players, don’t miss this opportunity to play and connect with fellow board game enthusiasts!
Ages 14+. Registration required.

Stitching Circle
2025-03-01 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-05 10:00 - 11:30
Connect with fellow crafters, share your skills, and learn from others! Whether you are an expert or novice, there is something for everyone in our circle. We’ll provide some materials, or you can bring your own project (maybe one you’ve been procrastinating on!).
All skill levels are welcome and there is not need to register. Spread the word and invite your friends. We can’t wait to see you there!

Dates and Times:
Saturday, January 4: 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, February 1: 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, March 1: 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, April 5: 10:00-11:30 am

No meeting in May. Stitching Circle is a part of our Adult Craft Connection Program series. No registration required.

ILP: Exploring Space with Coralie Adam
2025-03-04 19:00 - 20:00
Get an inside look at the space industry with Illinois’ own Coralie Adam. She’ll be joined in conversation by Renae Kerrigan, Curator of Science and Director of the Dome Planetarium at Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Born and raised in Illinois, Coralie holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Astronomy from the University of Illinois, and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado. She leads the multi-mission Optical Navigation team at KinetX Aerospace, the first privately held company to provide deep space navigation and flight dynamics expertise to NASA. At KinetX, Coralie has had lead roles on the navigation teams for NASA’s New Horizons, OSIRIS-REx, Lucy, and OSIRIS-APEX missions. Coralie’s work enabled the first exploration of the Pluto system and the historic sample collection of near-Earth asteroid Bennu. In addition to leading the OSIRIS-REx optical navigation team, she co-convened the scientific investigation of Bennu’s active particle ejection phenomena. Coralie is currently the Deputy Navigation Chief on NASA’s Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids, as well as supporting several commercial and government exploration initiatives to the moon and beyond.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.
Adults. Via Zoom. Registration is required.

Meet the Candidate: Village President Candidate Q&A
2025-03-06 18:30 - 19:30
Village Council member Jason Tompkins is the sole candidate running for Village President on the April 1st election. He has agreed to sit down with Library Director John Howard to discuss his goals and vision for Mahomet, and to answer questions from residents. Please join us to learn more about our candidate.
Adults. No registration required.

Tuesday Night Book Club
2025-03-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-04-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-05-13 18:30 - 20:00
Join us at the Library on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss that month’s great read!
January 14: West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
February 11: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
March 11: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
April 8: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
May 13: True Biz by Sara Novic
No registration required.

Wondering what books we’ve previously read for Tuesday Night Book Club? Check out our Tuesday Night Book Club Picks list!

Adult Crafternoon: Intro to Paper Quilling
2025-03-18 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for creativity, conversation, and fun each month at the Library! Learn a new skill and make a craft with supplies provided by the Library.
Dates and Crafts:
January 21: Yarn Wrapped Letter Craft
February 18: Tote Bag Decorating
March 18: Introduction to Paper Quilling
April 15: Decoupaged Wooden Boxes
For adults. Registration required (register for each session individually).

ILP: 9to5 - The Story of a Movement
2025-03-21 14:00 - 2025-03-23 23:30
Watch the award winning documentary from the comfort of your home! The documentary highlights the creation of the 9to5 movement, established to fight for workplace equity and against wage discrepancy and was the basis for the feature film, 9 to 5, starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin.
In the early 1970s, secretaries in Boston decided to fight against humiliating, harassing and illegal work environments. Their movement became national and is a largely forgotten story of U.S. twentieth century history. Director Julia Reichert was an Academy Award and Emmy Award winning documentarian.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.
Adults. Registration is required. The recording can be viewed starting at 2pm, Friday, March 21 through 11:59, Sunday, March 23. Registrants will receive an email with a special link to the performance.

Plant Swap
2025-03-29 11:00 - 12:00
Attention green thumbs and leaf enthusiasts! It’s time for a plantastic exchange! Bring your beloved plants, cuttings, and seeds to the Library. Share the plant love and take home some new leafy pals. Just remember to bring your plants in pots you’re ready to bid farewell to, then let the “plant swap” commence!
Plant Swap Info:

Bring house plants, seeds, and/or rooted propagations in soil.
All items should come in containers/packaging you are willing to part with AND be labelled with the name and basic care instructions. Example: Spider Plant – water every 5-10 days, partial sun

Schedule:

11:00-11:30 am: Arrive with your plant(s), browse other plants that have been brought in, mingle with fellow plant-lovers
11:30 am-12:00 pm: Plant swap (Note: There will be a table for giveaway plants.)

Adults. No registration required.

Adult Take and Make Kits
2025-03-31 09:00 - 2025-04-01 20:00, 2025-04-28 09:00 - 2025-04-29 20:00
Take home a craft to make! Our take-and-make crafts come with all the supplies needed for a project.

Dates and Crafts:
Beginning January 27: Wool Dryer Balls
Beginning February 24: Hand Warmers
Beginning March 31: Seed Starter Kit
Beginning April 28: Wind chime

Stop by the Library to pick up a free kit. Kits are available while supplies last. Limit one kit per person, please!
Adult take-and-make crafts are part of our Adult Craft Connection series.

Cookbook Club: Indulge
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:30
Join us at the Library to explore new recipes, share cooking tips, and enjoy delicious food together! This program is intended for adults who enjoy cooking and sharing food together. All experience levels are welcome. Each Cookbook Club will feature a selected cookbook and attendees will bring a dish from the book to share.
Copies of the cookbook will be available one month in advance at the Library’s Circulation Desk. Registered participants will receive a link to a Google form to include the name of the dish they will be bringing. Participants may contact Alyssa with any questions.
Adults. Registration is required.

Dates and Cookbooks:
Tuesday, February 4: Cook This Book by Molly Baz
Thursday, April 3: Indulge by Valerie Bertinelli

ILP: The Art of Foraging with Alexis Nikole Nelson
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00
Alexis Nikole Nelson is a forager and an outdoor educator using her platforms, TikTok account alexisnikole and Instagram page blackforager, to celebrate all the edible plants hiding in plain sight. She peels back historical layers on African American and Indigenous food traditions that have traditionally been repressed and empowers those living in food deserts with greater self- sufficiency.
Nelson received the James Beard Award for “Best Social Media” 2022, was chosen for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and as a TikTok Tastemaker, and was honored as part of Fortune Magazine’s Creator 25 in 2021. Nelson gave a TED Talk in 2022 and in 2023 joined the YouTube channel Crash Course to host a 15-episode botany series.
Alexis Nikole Nelson will be joined in conversation with Natalie Evans, a wild edible foods instructor.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.
Adults. Via Zoom. Registration is required.

Adult Crafternoon: Decoupaged Wooden Boxes
2025-04-15 13:00 - 14:30

Save Money with Zero-Waste
2025-04-17 18:00 - 20:00
Join Linda Stroh, Zero-Waste Advocate, to learn money-saving strategies that also sustain the future of our planet. Discover the benefits of the five R’s (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot), and how to implement them to detox your home and reduce clutter. Walk away with resources and tips to lessen unnecessary consumption, improve your health, and preserve the Earth for the next generations.
Adults. Registration required.

Poetry Concert: Poetry and Music with Carl Reisman and M.J. Walker
2025-04-22 18:30 - 20:00
Celebrate National Poetry Month with an evening of poetry and music that speaks to the heart of the adult experience. Performers Carl Reisman and M.J. Walker are storytellers in verse and song, exploring emotions and dilemmas we hesitate to discuss. The program will feature M.J. Walker’s musical interpretations of poems by former U.S. Poet Laureate and National Book Award winner Philip Levine, as well as original songs and poetry by Carl Reisman.
Philip Levine’s (1928-2015) poetic work continues to give us glimpses and truths of Industrial and post-Industrial America, via his own, his friends’ and family’s work within the massive car production industry in Detroit Michigan. He was able to use his factory work to help others see what American life was like for men and women working in factories in factory towns in Twentieth-century, Midwest America. Following his younger years in Detroit, Levine lived, worked and wrote his poetry in Chicago and elsewhere, and in his later years, in California, where his poems also consider work there, including wildfire fighters’ experiences. Philip Levine’s poetry continues to be relevant because in each poem he brings together very large forces like a massive industry or wildfire disasters with very individual experiences of specific people like his brother (his twin), his son, childhood friends, or a woman co-worker — all of whom continue to live rich and thoughtful lives as they navigate work and life.
MJ says, “This essential combination of specific personal lives within big endeavors, events and changes is what drew me to Philip Levine’s poetry, and also inspired me to put some of his poems to music. In my own life, I have loved playing guitar and singing since I was a child and have used my music to ponder my experiences, and to share them with others. I have one CD of my own songs, Gold Mill (2000) and have performed solo and with Carl Reisman in Shy Folk and many other musicians in the Champaign-Urbana area, including Amasong Women’s Chorus and The Coneflowers. Philip Levine’s poetry in the collection What Work Is (1991) transported me into the lives of his subjects so that I felt I could ‘live a little of their lives’, which is what all good storytelling can do. I was moved to use my musical ideas to attempt to, hopefully, deepen my own and others’ experiences of some of Levine’s poetic work. That said, his poems stand alone quite strongly and with much integrity to this day. One of the things I have found so hard in this project is how songs differ from poems, in both rhythm and structure, which is part of the challenge of putting poetry to any song form. Regardless, I hope to continue to encourage interest in his work and for new readers to seek it out, in order to get to know it in their own ways.”
For adults. No registration required.

About the Performers:
Carl Reisman is a singer-songwriter, poet, and retired lawyer who lives in rural Mahomet with his wife, veterinarian Robin Hadley, three horses, and their dog, Friday. He’s the founder, lead singer, and song writer for the Americana group, Ticketless Traveler, which has produced one CD and is currently finishing a second album of songs recorded at studios in New Orleans and Urbana. Carl has published two collections of poetry, Kettle (Hot Lead Press, 2005) and Home Geography (Stone City Press, 2007), as well as essays and poems in various very sweet and very obscure literary journals. Ticketless Traveler’s songs and videos can be streamed on Spotify and YouTube. Carl most recently played the singer songwriter listening room showcase at Yellow and Co. in Mahomet.
Carl and M.J. Walker began collaborating a decade ago in the group that they started, Shy Folk. They continue to collaborate. M.J. has provided back up vocals on Ticketless Traveler’s recordings and Carl has provided M.J. with occasional backup vocals and percussion for her Phillip Levine songs, including a typewriter.

ILP: Poverty - A Discussion with Matthew Desmond
2025-05-13 19:00 - 20:00
Join us to close out our fourth season with bestselling author Matthew Desmond in conversation with award-winning journalist, Natalie Moore.
Desmond is a professor of sociology at Princeton University and author of the award-winning book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. The recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, Desmond was named one of “fifty people across the country who are most influencing the national political debate” by Politico 50 in 2016. His research focuses on poverty in the United States, city life, housing insecurity, public policy, racial inequality, and ethnography.
Natalie Moore is an award-winning journalist based in Chicago, whose reporting tackles race, housing, economic development, food injustice and violence. She is the author of the acclaimed The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation and co-author of The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang. Moore is the recipient of Chicago Library Foundation’s 21st Century Award and a Studs Terkel Community Media Award among many others. Her work has helped shift the way Chicagoans today think about segregation in the region.
For adults. Via Zoom. Registration required.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com.

Yoga on the Lawn
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-10 18:00 - 19:00
Downward Facing Dog. Warrior Pose. Lotus Position. Summer Yoga with Colleen Crawford is an approachable yoga practice with options offered and demonstrated that allow you to choose whether you want a more challenging or more chill experience. With a different focus in each of the four classes, expect a unique practice in each class you attend.
Adults. Registration required.
About the Instructor:
Colleen Crawford is an experienced fitness instructor, personal trainer, and yoga teacher. She taught her first group fitness class in 2007 and has pursued and completed numerous continuing education and certification classes in the years since. In her classes, Colleen strives to provide an experience where all participants feel successful by offering options that allow each individual to tailor the movements to their needs. Colleen’s credentials include RYT-200 hr, NCSA-CPT, Certified Pre- and Post-Natal Coach, Roll Model Method Practitioner, Barre Above, PiYo, TurboKick, and INSANITY.

Cookbook Club: A Taste of the Mediterranean
2025-06-05 18:30 - 19:30
Join us for Cookbook Club! This month, we will dive into the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean. Instead of focusing on a single book, choose your own Mediterranean cookbook to explore. Try out a recipe, and bring a dish to share and tell about your experience with fellow food lovers.
Several Mediterranean cookbooks will be available for checkout from the Library or you may choose your own cookbook, either in-print or online. Registered participants will receive an email approximately 2 weeks before the event to sign up for your dish.
Participants may contact Alyssa with any questions. Please note the change in meeting time!
Adults. Registration is required.

Tuesday Night Book Club
2025-06-10 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-07-08 18:30 - 20:00
Connect with fellow book lovers! Join us at the Library on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss that month’s great read.
June 10: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
July 8: Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
August 12: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
No registration required.

Wondering what books we’ve previously read for Tuesday Night Book Club? Check out our Tuesday Night Book Club Picks list!

Adult Crafternoon: Teacup Bird Feeder
2025-06-17 13:00 - 14:30
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon crafting unique projects while connecting with fellow crafters. All supplies are provided.
Dates and Crafts:
June 17: Teacup bird feeders
July 15: Introduction to cross-stitching
Adults. Registration required. No meeting in August.

Summer Mocktails
2025-06-19 18:30 - 19:30
Enjoy an interactive session where attendees will learn to make easy, refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Bartender Riley Mueller will teach us the basics of drink-mixing, samples, and share some tips.
Adults. Registration required.

Craft Lab: Makerspace for Adults
2025-06-21 13:00 - 15:00
Now offering special hands-on sessions through out the year where you can explore a variety of creative projects! We will provide space to create, experiment and connect with fellow makers. You can bring your own project to work on or try something new. A Cricut machine, sewing machine, ChompSaw cardboard cutter, button maker and more will be available, as well as some supplies such as yarn, thread, paper, crochet hooks, knitting needles and more. All skill levels are welcome. Drop in or stay the whole time.
Adults. Registration preferred (but not required).

Armchair Travel: London
2025-06-24 18:30 - 19:30
Join us for a virtual journey to London, England! Explore iconic landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Learn about London’s history, culture and traditions – all from the comfort of the Library! Enjoy a taste of Britain with a themed snack as we enjoy the sights of the city.
Adults. Registration required.

Library Hacks: Getting the Most from Your Library
2025-07-01 18:30 - 20:00
Did you know your library offers more than just books? Join director John Howard and library staff for Library Hacks, a hands-on session where we’ll show you insider tips and tricks to make the most of your library’s resources.
Learn how to:

access e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines
stream movies and TV shows from our Roku Sticks
use the library’s catalog
use the library’s online resources

Bring your device and we’ll help you get everything set up! Great for library regulars or those just getting started.
Adults. Registration required.
