Mahomet Public Library

Adventures in Art: Popsicle Stick Lantern
2024-07-16 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago)
Attention all budding artists in grades 2-5! Join us for an unforgettable journey of artistic exploration this summer and bring home a masterpiece.
Dates and Projects:
June 4: DIY Stamps
June 18: Beaded Windchime
July 2: 3D Doodlebug
July 16: Popsicle Stick Lantern
July 30: Shrinky Dinks
For students entering grades 2-5. Please register for each session individually.

Page Turners: Tween Book Club
2024-07-18 16:00 - 17:00
Dive into captivating stories with our summer book club for students entering grades 5-7. There’s a new adventure each month so join us for a journey through thrilling tales and lively discussions!
Dates and Books:
June 13: Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
July 18: City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Sustainable STEM: Ocean Cleanup Challenge
2024-07-24 15:30 - 16:30
Calling all future scientists and eco-warriors in grades 2-5! Get ready for a journey into the world of STEM with a green twist. At each meeting, we’ll do exciting projects and activities that make you think and help take care of the Earth.
Dates and Projects:
June 12: Bug Hotel
June 26: Seed Paper
July 10: Recycled Lava Lamps
July 24: Ocean Cleanup Challenge
For students going into grades 2-5. Please register for each session individually.

Graphic Novel Book Club
2024-07-26 16:00 - 17:00
Calling all graphic novel enthusiasts! Join us as we read and discuss a set graphic novel at each book club session. Participants are welcome to bring and/or talk about other graphic novels they’ve enjoyed.

Dates and Books:
June 28: Hilo the Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick
July 26: Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi

Ages 8-13. Please register for each session individually.

Storytime: Weekend Edition
2024-07-27 09:30 - 10:30
Children and families are welcome to join us for an all ages-style storytime featuring rhymes, songs, and books, followed by a fun, themed craft!
No registration required.

Take and Make Kits for Kids
2024-07-29 - 2024-07-31
Take home a craft kit each month! Kits will include instructions and supplies for a craft.
Dates and Crafts:
Beginning June 24: DIY Freeze Pop Sleeves
Beginning July 29: Popsicle Stick Airplanes
Suggested age range: 6-12. First come, first served. While supplies last. Limit one kit per child, please!

Adventures in Art: Shrinky Dinks
2024-07-30 15:30 - 16:30

Elementary Explorers
2024-09-04 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-09-11 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-09-18 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-09-25 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-10-02 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-10-16 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-10-23 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-10-30 15:30 - 16:30 and 4 more dates
Join us every Wednesday for a fun, one hour after school program! Activities will rotate monthly. We’ll usually meet from 3:30-4:30 pm, but we’ll move it up to 1:30-2:30 pm on early dismissal days.
September: Art Club

September 4, 11, 25: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
September 18: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

October: Pokémon Club

October 2, 16, 30: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
October 9: no meeting
October 23: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

November: LEGO Club

November 6 and 27: no meeting
November 13: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
November 20: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)

December: Art Club

December 4, 11: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)

Grades K-5. No registration required.

Sky Tales: Chinese Kite Crafts and StoryWalk
2024-09-19 10:00 - 11:30
Embark on the enchanting StoryWalk at Lake of the Woods, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the vibrant tale of the Chinese Kite Festival! Afterward, let creativity take flight as we return to the Museum of the Grand Prairie for a delightful story-inspired craft with the Mahomet Public Library!
Recommended for young ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register by September 16.
For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org

Note: This program takes place at the StoryWalk at Lake of the Woods. The StoryWalk is located along the Museum Meander Trail. The trailhead is located across the street from the Museum of the Grand Prairie.

Graphic Novel Book Club: Misfit Mansion
2024-09-27 16:00 - 17:00
Calling all graphic novel enthusiasts! Join us as we read and discuss a set graphic novel at each book club session. Participants are welcome to bring and/or talk about other graphic novels they’ve enjoyed.

Dates and Books:
September 27: Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault
Novemer 8: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

Grades 3-7. Please register for each session individually.

Wackadoo!
2024-09-28 10:00 - 11:30
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.
Ages 0-10. No registration required.

Illinois Libraries Present: Raise Your Voice with Jason Reynolds
2024-10-22 19:00 - 20:00
Welcome Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author, advocate, mentor, and 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, a Carnegie Medal, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds’ beloved and award-winning titles include Stamped (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Miles Morales, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit, Look Both Ways, Ain’t Burned All the Bright, and Long Way Down. He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS Sunday Morning, and more.
The short documentary “Dear, Dreamer” is a lyrical portrait of Reynolds’ life and work as a rising literary star, as well as a testament to shared experiences and the power of seeing yourself in books. In his podcast, My Mother Made Me, he and his mother, Isabell, explore their shared history and what they’re teaching each other.
Reynolds lives in Washington, DC, where he is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program.
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.

For youth and adults. Via Zoom. Please register.

Page Turners: Tween Book Club
2024-10-24 16:00 - 17:00
Dive into captivating stories with our book club for students in grades 5-8! Join us for a journey through the thrilling tale and lively discussion of Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan.
Grades 5-8. Registration required.

Teddy Bear Hospital
2024-11-02 10:00 - 12:00
Kids, grab your favorite stuffed sidekick and join the incredible Vet Med students from the University of Illinois for a check-up! Your plush pals are in for a treat as they undergo a thorough examination, complete with temperature and weight checks. But that’s not all – our expert vet students will tackle any other concerns your cuddly companions might have.
Please bring one stuffed animal per child. Ages 0-10. No registration required.

Graphic Novel Book Club: Ink Girls
2024-11-08 16:00 - 17:00
Calling all graphic novel enthusiasts! Join us as we read and discuss a set graphic novel at each book club session. Participants are welcome to bring and/or talk about other graphic novels they’ve enjoyed.

Dates and Books:
September 27: Misfit Mansion by Kay Davault
November 8: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

Grades 3-7. Please register for each session individually.

Illinois Libraries Present: The Magic of Raina Telgemeier
2024-12-10 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for a night with critically acclaimed comic artist, Raina Telgemeier! Raina is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts, and Guts, all #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, and has contributed short stories to many anthologies. New in 2024, The Cartoonists Club is a one-of-a-kind graphic novel from Raina and Scott McCloud.
Raina’s accolades include six Eisner Awards, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and many Best-of and Notables lists. Raina grew up in San Francisco, then moved to New York City, where she earned an illustration degree at the School of Visual Arts. Raina currently lives and works in San Francisco, CA.
Children’s Librarian Genevieve Grove will join Raina in conversation.
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.
Via Zoom. Please register at the link below.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover
2024-12-13 17:30 - 2024-12-14 09:30
Children can drop off one stuffed animal friend to spend the night at the Library! Bring a friend to our “Good Night” Storytime. Then, stuffed friends will spend the night at the Library, and will be reunited with their human friends at our “Good Morning” Storytime. Sleepover pictures will be posted to social media throughout the evening!
Goodnight Storytime: Friday, December 13 from 5:30-6:00 pm
Good Morning Storytime: Saturday, December 14 from 9:30-10:00 am

Limit ONE stuffed animal per child. No registration required.

Elementary Explorers
2025-01-15 15:30 - 16:30
Join us every Wednesday for a fun, one hour after school program! Activities will rotate monthly. We’ll usually meet from 3:30-4:30 pm, but we’ll move it up to 1:30-2:30 pm on early dismissal days.
January: LEGO Club

January 15 & 29: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
January 22: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

February: Art Club

February 5, 12, 26: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
February 19: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

March: Pokémon Club

March 5 & 26: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
March 12: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
March 19: no meeting

April: Maker’s Club

April 2: no meeting
April 9: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
April 16, 23, 30: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)

Grades K-5. No registration required.

Acting Out: Theatre Workshop
2025-01-18 10:00 - 16:30
Theatre kids from all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to join us for a workshop focusing on basic acting skills and exercises. Students will learn about characterization, improvisation, and interpreting a script. There will be separate sessions for different age groups.
Grades K-12. Register for the session that corresponds to your age group.

Age Groups and Times:
Grades K-3: 10:00-11:30 am (register here)
Grades 4-6: 12:30-2:00 pm (register here)
Grades 7-12: 3:00-4:30 pm (register here)
