Library Expansion Community Meetings
2025-07-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-03 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
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: Bigger Bang Bubble Show
2025-07-18 10:00 - 11:00
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.

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, 2025-10-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-12 13:00 - 16:00
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

Book or Treat
2025-10-25 10:00 - 12:00
Show off your Halloween costumes and head to the Library for some spook-tacular crafts and giveaways!
Each child will receive a free book and goodie bag!

Stargazing in Illinois
2025-11-20 18:30 - 19:30
Central Illinois is an excellent place to stargaze, but it can be hard to know where to begin. We’ll talk about sky objects which can be seen from Central Illinois throughout the year and some free-to-use stargazing resources. We’ll also discuss the upcoming Geminid meteor shower, which peaks in December and is visible from the nearby Middle Fork Dark Sky site.
Presented by the University of Illinois Astronomy Department
All ages. Ages 14 and under should attend with an adult. Please register.

Mahomet-Seymour Madrigals
2025-11-30 14:00 - 14:30
Join us for a special performance by the Mahomet-Seymour High School Madrigals. Dressed in Renaissance costumes, the ensemble will perform enchanting a cappella holiday selections.
Seating is first come first served.

DIY Holiday Ornaments
2025-12-06 10:00 - 12:00
Get in the holiday spirit with a variety of DIY ornament crafts! All supplies needed to make the ornaments will be provided!

Stuffed Animal Sleepover
2025-12-12 17:30 - 2025-12-13 10:00
Choose a special stuffed animal to spend a night at the library!
Join us for a “Good Night” storytime on Friday, 12/12 and leave your plush friend at the library for an evening of mischief and fun! Check our social media pages throughout the evening for photo updates and then head back to the Library on 12/13 for a “Good Morning” storytime where you’ll learn about everything the stuffed animals got up to during the night. Can’t make the storytimes? No problem! Just drop off your animal any time during our business hours on Friday and pick them up after the event!
Limit one stuffed animal per child.
Goodnight storytime: 12/12 at 5:30 PM
Good Morning Storytime: 12/13 at 9:30

Libraries Are Magic! Take Your Child to the Library Day
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00
Help us celebrate “Take Your Child to the Library Day” and join us for some magical crafts and activities!
Children and caregivers of all ages welcome. No registration required.

Teens Teach Tech!
2026-02-21 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.

Minecraft Party!
2026-03-07 10:00 - 11:30
Celebrate all things Minecraft with drop-in crafts and activities at the Library! Activities will be geared toward school-aged children, but younger siblings and caregivers are welcome to join in on the fun!
All ages. No registration required.

Plant Swap
2026-03-14 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.

Spring Book Sale
2026-04-23 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-24 09:00 - 18:00, 2026-04-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-26 13:00 - 16:00
Thursday, April 23 | 5:00 – 8:00 pm (preview night for Friends members only; you can join at the door)
Friday, April 24 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 25 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 26 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Seventh Annual Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
2026-05-02 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.

Arts and Crafts Supply Swap
2026-05-09 09:45 - 10:30
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 3-8, 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:
9:45-10:00 am: Those who donate will receive a voucher for early entry to the swap.
10:00-10:30 am: Public entry (everyone who did not donate supplies) begins
10:30 am: Anyone is welcome to take the remaining materials, even if you have already filled a bag.

All ages. No registration required.

Thank You Reception for Brenda Farney
2026-05-16 13:00 - 15:00
After 28 years, Brenda Farney is retiring from her role as an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer — and we can’t let her go without saying thank you! Brenda got her start at H&R Block in Iowa before moving to Illinois and joining the AARP tax assistance program, meeting clients here at the library. She’s been a familiar, welcoming face every tax season for nearly three decades.

Those who’ve been around long enough may remember when the library called the old downtown building home. Brenda was there, working out of the second floor storage area. She later moved to the basement — more private, she’ll tell you, but noticeably colder. When the current library building opened, she made the move right along with it.
For almost 30 years, she has shown up, patiently and knowledgeably, for anyone who needed help. That kind of dedication is rare, and this community is better for it. We are so grateful for everything Brenda has given to this community. She will truly be missed!
In celebration of Brenda and her contributions to the community, please join us at the Library on Saturday, May 16 from 1-3 pm for cookies and lemonade! No RSVP is necessary.

Summer Reading Programs
2026-05-23 - 2026-08-01
Summer reading time is here! The much-anticipated Summer Reading Programs kick off on May 23, the day of our I Spy Summer kickoff at the Library (you can sign up that day!), and conclude on July 31 (the last day to log minutes). This year’s iREAD 2026 theme is “Plant a Seed, Read!” an all ages summer reading program based on the connection between food and stories. A farm grows food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. iREAD 2026: Plant a Seed, Read will provide a context for exploring culture, history, science, health, and human connection! 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 to get a bonus toy prize of your choice.

Teens (Sixth-Twelfth 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:
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:

50,000 Minutes: Forest Magna-tiles set
100,000 Minutes: New Yoto player and card bundles
175,000 Minutes: Reading nook!
215,000 Minutes: Foam party at the Library

I Spy Summer at the Library
2026-05-23 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 robots, socks, and monkeys, 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.

Presented by:

Gold Sponsors:
