Illinois Libraries Present: Little Women, The Musical
2024-12-20 14:00 - 2024-12-22 23:30 (America/Chicago)
Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of four sisters growing up in 19th-century Massachusetts made its London premiere in this acclaimed production at Park Theatre. Originally presented on Broadway in 2005 starring Sutton Foster, Lydia White and Savannah Stevenson lead a talented cast in this beloved tale of family, self-discovery, and hope.
Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of four sisters growing up in 19th-century Massachusetts made its London premiere in this acclaimed production at Park Theatre. Originally presented on Broadway in 2005 starring Sutton Foster, Lydia White and Savannah Stevenson lead a talented cast in this beloved tale of family, self-discovery, and hope. Little Women at Park Theatre is directed by Bronagh Lagan with set and costume design by Nik Corrall, musical direction by Leo Munby, orchestrations by Andy Collyer, choreography by Sarah Golding, lighting design by Ben M. Rogers, sound design by Paul Gavin and casting by Jane Deitch. It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Knockhardy Productions, in association with Park Theatre, and co-produced by Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane. Little Women has a book by Allan Knee (Finding Neverland, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit), lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Grammy Award-winner Jason Howland.
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.
This is a pre-recorded, virtual showing. The musical can be viewed between Friday, December 20 (beginning at 2:00 pm)-Sunday, December 22. Registrants will receive an email with a special link to the performance.
All ages. Please register.

Take Your Child to the Library Day! Scavenger Hunt & Hot Cocoa Bar
2025-02-01 14:00 - 16:00
Help us celebrate “Take Your Child to the Library Day” and join us for a scavenger hunt in the Library, along with a cozy hot cocoa bar!
All ages. No registration required.

Spring Book Sale
2025-04-24 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-25 09:00 - 18:00, 2025-04-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-27 13:00 - 16:00
Thursday, April 24 | 5:00 – 8:00 pm (preview night for Friends members only; you can join at the door)
Friday, April 25 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 26 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 27 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Sixth Annual Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
2025-05-03 13:00 - 15:00
This popular event is back! Get ready to piece together a victory at the Library’s yearly puzzle competition. Race against the clock and complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle faster than competing teams. Are you up for the challenge?
Registration as a team of up to 4 people is required. All ages welcome.

ILP: Art and Adventures with Author/Illustrator Dan Santat
2025-05-03 14:00 - 15:00
Join bestselling author and illustrator Dan Santat for an afternoon event all about books and art with friend and collaborator, author Minh Lê.
Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of over a hundred books for young people! Many of his books are New York Times bestsellers, including The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, Are We There Yet?, and After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). His latest works include the best-selling graphic novels, The Aquanaut and A First Time for Everything. He is also the creator of the Disney animated hit, The Replacements.
Santat won the Caldecott Medal for most distinguished picture book in 2015, the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2023 and Golden Kite Award for Middle Grade Fiction in 2024. In addition to writing books, Dan serves on the board of We Need Diverse Books, and has been a contributor to a variety of national publications, including NPR, HuffPost, and the New York Times.
Minh Lê is the award-winning author of picture books including Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), The Blur (with Dan Santat!), Real to Me, Lift, and graphic novels such as Green Lantern: Legacy and Enlighten Me.
For all ages. 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.

Arts and Crafts Supply Swap
2025-05-10 10:00 - 11:00
Got a surplus of gently-loved or even brand-new art and craft supplies collecting dust at home? Eager to dive into a new hobby without breaking the bank on fresh materials? From May 4-9, drop off supplies in good condition that you’re ready to part with. Then, at the swap, snag some supplies for your creative adventures, free of charge!
Swap Day Schedule:
10:00-10:15 am: Those who donate will receive a voucher for early entry to the swap.
10:15-11:00 am: Public entry (everyone who did not donate supplies) begins
11:00 am: Anyone is welcome to take the remaining materials, even if you have already filled a bag.

All ages. No registration required. Part of our Adult Craft Connection series.

Summer Reading Programs
2025-05-21 - 2025-08-02
Summer reading time is here! The much-anticipated Summer Reading Programs kick off on May 21, the last day of school (you can sign up that day!), and conclude on August 1 (the last day to log minutes). This year’s iREAD 2025 theme is “Level Up! at Your Library,” an all ages summer reading program based around puzzles and games. Play is one of the ways we learn to relate to others, to think in new ways, and to foster friendships, new and old. Level Up! reminds us that libraries are not just a space for knowledge, they’re a space for fun! There will be child, teen, and adult prizes (even prizes for the community) based on minutes read.

Kids (Birth-Fifth Grade):

Use your reading log to track your minutes read and earn beads for your brag tag!
Finish your whole log and receive a FREE BOOK, Monicals coupon, and star to put up on the wall in the children’s area.
Earn stickers for your badge book full of bonus reading challenges. Complete all the challenges get a water bottle or tote bag.

Teens (Sixth-Ninth Grade):

Use your reading log to track your minutes read.
Get a raffle ticket for every hour you read.
Finish your whole log and receive a FREE BOOK and Monicals coupon.

Adults (Tenth Grade and Up):
For every 10 hours you read, fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a gift card from a local business!

Community Prizes: Help Us “Unlock” Prizes for Everyone!

Download the “Reader Zone” app or log in on their website.
Enter your total number of minutes read.
If the community reads a certain number of minutes in total, we will unlock the following special community prizes:

25,000 Minutes: New train set for the train table
75,000 Minutes: Botley 2.0 Coding Robot
150,000 Minutes: 6 new Wonderbooks
200,000 Minutes: Foam party

I Spy Summer at the Library
2025-05-24 09:00 - 14:00
Get ready for the ultimate summer kickoff bash! Join our “I Spy” themed walk from Barber Park to the Library, followed by inflatables, carnival games, face painting, temporary tattoos, music, summer reading sign-up, and more. Free hot dogs and chips begin at 11:00 am, while supplies last. Ice Daddy’s shaved ice will also be available for purchase. Don’t miss the fun!

The “I Spy” Walk
You won’t want to miss out on our “I Spy” walk from Barber Park to the Library. All ages are welcome!

FOUR STOPS with special displays! Kids who collect stickers from the red buckets at all 4 stops will get a free book at the end. Grownups will get a free coupon for our Keurig station.
An I Spy hunt all along the route, with plenty of items, some big and some small, to find! This year’s walk will feature dragons, hats, and fish, plus many unique items. We’ll give you a scoresheet to keep track of what you find.

The shuttle will drop you off at Barber Park, then you’ll follow the bike path to the Library. At the end of the trail, you’ll find the rest of the summer party fun! We encourage people to park at the Library and take the provided shuttle to the starting line.

The Course

It’s a 1.3-mile route following the bike path the entire way, and stroller friendly!
All hidden items will be located close to the trail in grassy areas. You will not need to venture into the woods or nearby yards.
The bike path runs along Route 150 for a while. Please make sure you have enough adults in your party to supervise young children for these stretches along the road. The route also crosses a few intersections.
We are offering free shuttle service 9am-1:30pm from the library to the start of the walk.

This fundraising event supports your community through the Rotary Club of Mahomet and the Friends of the Mahomet Public Library.

Proudly sponsored by:

Family Fun Friday: Field Day at the Library!
2025-06-06 10:00 - 11:30
Each Friday morning in June and July, we’ll have a fun event for all ages at the Library! Events will range from drop-in stations and outdoor activities to special presentations from professional performers.
Dates and Events:
June 6: Field Day at the Library! (outdoor activities and games; in the case of inclement weather, this will change to a drop-in craft program)
June 13: Magic with Joel Shoemaker*
June 20: Unlazy River (outdoor obstacle course; in the case of inclement weather, this will change to a drop-in craft program)
June 27: Do Art! With Do Art Productions*
July 11: Minecraft BINGO
July 18: Bigger Bang Bubble Show with Absolute Science*
July 25: Blast From the Past: Nostalgic Toys Open Play

*These special presentations end at 11:00 am instead of 11:30 am.
All ages. No registration required.

Family Fun Friday: Magic with Joel Shoemaker
2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:00

Family Fun Friday: Unlazy River
2025-06-20 10:00 - 11:30

Library Expansion Community Meetings
2025-06-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-03 14:00 - 16:00
Mahomet Library Expansion is Moving Forward!
Community Meetings this Summer
After many years of planning, the Board of Trustees of the Mahomet Public Library has decided to move ahead actively with a much needed expansion. This expansion is expected to include a new, larger children’s library with a dedicated teen room, a much larger meeting and programming room, more community space and a covered patio/outdoor program space.
Read more about the expansion project here: Dreaming of the Future: What the Future Holds for Our Community’s Library Building
Would you like to learn more, or volunteer to help in some way with this exciting addition to our community? We are planning three Community Meetings to introduce the details of the project, answer questions, and get feedback from the community. The three meetings will be:
Thursday, June 26th 6:00pm
Wednesday, July 16th 6:30pm
Sunday, August 3rd 2:00pm

Family Fun Friday: Do Art!
2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:00

Book Character Scavenger Hunt
2025-06-28 13:00 - 15:00
Search the Library for photos of your favorite children’s book characters! When you’ve found them all, enjoy a popsicle and yard games on the Library lawn.
All ages. No registration required.

Family Fun Friday: Minecraft Bingo
2025-07-11 10:00 - 11:30

Plant Swap
2025-07-12 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, leftover garden plants, and/or rooted propagations in soil.
All items should come in containers/packaging you are willing to part with AND be labeled 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

All ages. No registration required.

Ice Cream Social
2025-07-13 14:00 - 16:00
Get ready for a scoop of community appreciation! Join us for an ice cream social hosted by the Library’s Board of Trustees. Enjoy free ice cream (and toppings!) and connect with the leaders dedicated to serving your Library. Then, while you eat your ice cream, listen to live music provided by Isaac & Jack of Hometown Band.
A sweet celebration awaits!
A huge thanks to The Main Scoop for the ice cream, the Board of Trustees for the toppings, and Friends of the Library for funding the music!

There is no cost or registration required to attend the Ice Cream Social. Anyone may attend. Music will be on the lawn (weather permitting) or in the Edgar Room, if it rains or is scorchingly hot. If you have them, please bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit in while you eat your ice cream and listen to music! Some lawn games will also be available.

Family Fun Friday: Bigger Bang Bubble Show
2025-07-18 10:00 - 11:00

Pokémon Party
2025-07-19 13:00 - 15:00
Calling all Pokémon fans! Come help us celebrate all things Pokémon at the Library! We’ll have crafts and activities set up all around the Library.
All ages. No registration required.

Family Fun Friday: Blast From the Past - Nostalgic Toys Open Play
2025-07-25 10:00 - 11:30

Teens Teach Tech!
2025-09-13 10:00 - 12:00
Need help with your phone, tablet, or computer? Want to learn how to use social media, download apps, or troubleshoot a tech issue?
Stop by for free one-on-one help from local high school volunteers from the Mahomet-Seymour Interact Club. Bring your device and your questions.
All ages welcome. No registration required, drop in anytime between 10:00am and 12:00pm.

Wackadoo!
2025-09-27 09:30 - 11:00
Calling all fans of our favorite blue heeler dog and family! Join us at the library for games, crafts, and activities based around the hit Australian children’s show.
Bluey will make an appearance for meet-and-greet and photos starting at 10 AM.

7th Annual Library Crawl
2025-10-01 - 2025-11-01
Welcome to the 7th Annual IHLS Library Crawl! As a bibliophile, we know you will enjoy the interesting and beautiful buildings that house our library collections throughout central and southern Illinois.
How It Works:

Pick up your official passport from the Mahomet Library.
Travel around central and southern Illinois visiting participating public libraries. Go to each library’s circulation desk to get your passport stamped.
Visit 5 or more participating libraries (map here) throughout October to complete the Library Crawl. Discover the many library collections your library card gives you access to! Each library has a page in the 2025 Library Crawl Guidebook. Be sure to check this out for a list of local eateries and places of interest the library staff recommend. Remember, you can use your library card along the way to check out items at the libraries you visit. Then simply return them at your home library. Our statewide courier service will take care of the rest. This awesome service brings items back and forth making our collections available to all patrons.
Share the joy – take pictures along the way and post them with #IHLSLibraryCrawl2025 on social media.
Return your stamped passport to the Mahomet Library by the end of October for a freebie and raffle entry for a gift card!

Fall Book Sale
2025-10-09 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-10 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday, October 9 | 5:00 – 8:00 pm (preview night for Friends members only; you can join at the door)
Friday, October 10 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, October 11 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 12 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm
