Mahomet Public Library

Library Crawl 2024
2024-10-01 - 2024-11-01
Welcome to the 6th 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.
To Participate in the Library Crawl:

Pick up a Library Crawl passport at the Mahomet Library between October 1-31.
Choose five libraries from the passport (other than the Mahomet Library) to visit. See all the participating libraries on this map.
When you arrive at a new library, be sure to go to their main circulation desk to ask for a stamp in your passport.
Visit five or more libraries between October 1-31 to complete the Library Crawl.
Bring your passport back to the library and receive a raffle ticket (for a gift card to local business), coupon for free book from sale shelf or book sale, and a freebie!

Each library has a page in the online 2024 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 #IHLSLibraryCrawl2024 on social media!
Happy Crawling!

Baby Storytime
2024-10-22 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-10-29 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-11-12 09:30 - 09:50 (America/Chicago)
Bring your baby to storytime on Tuesday mornings at the Library! There will be songs, bounces, and books!

Ages 0-18 months. No registration required.
Please Note: There will not be Baby Storytime on October 8 or November 5.

Toddler Storytime
2024-10-22 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-10-29 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-12 10:00 - 10:30
Join us on Tuesday mornings to enjoy storytime for toddlers and caregivers. There will be songs, rhymes, and stories!
Ages 18 months-3 years. No registration required.
Please note: There will NOT be Toddler Storytime on October 8 or November 5.

Beginner Sourdough Workshop
2024-10-22 18:30 - 19:30
Sourdough bread is trending, but do you know how to make it? Join us for a fun and interactive beginner class at the Library! We’ll learn how to make and maintain a starter, the science behind the sourdough fermentation process, and tips and techniques for making the perfect loaf. Attendees will make starter in class to take home.
Adults. 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.

Preschool Storytime
2024-10-23 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-10-30 10:00 - 10:30
Join us on Wednesday mornings for storytime for preschoolers and caregivers. There will be songs, movement, and books!
Ages 3-5. No registration required.
Please note: There will NOT be Preschool Storytime on October 9 or November 6.

Elementary Explorers
2024-10-23 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-10-30 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.
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.

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.

Public Q&A for Upcoming School Referendum
2024-10-24 18:30 - 20:00
This program will take place in the Edgar Room at the Mahomet Library.
As part of our mission to provide Mahomet residents with the information they need, the Library has asked Mahomet-Seymour to send representatives to the Library to answer resident questions about the upcoming school referendum.
At this session, we welcome Village President Sean Widener, Superintendent Kenny Lee, a member of the Board of Education, and former superintendent Lindsey Hall to the Library. From 6:30 to 8:00 pm they will be available to answer questions. A library representative will facilitate the sessions.
The Library does not officially support or oppose this referendum, and no one at this meeting will be telling anyone how to vote. Our goal is for community members to have the chance to learn for themselves the details and facts about the school plans so that they can make the most informed decision possible.
There are also resources at the Library for those who want to learn more about the school plan and referendum but cannot attend this meeting.

Preschool Playdate
2024-10-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-08 10:00 - 11:00
Children (ages 3-5) and their caregivers are welcome to join us on Friday mornings for open-ended playtime! Each session will feature a different assortment of toys and activities.
Ages 3-5. No registration required.
Please note: There will NOT be Preschool Playdate on October 11 or November 29.

Book or Treat
2024-10-26 10:00 - 12:00
Come one and all! This Halloween event is for all ages. Stop by the Library in costume and receive a book and a treat. Craft stations will be set up around the Library with fun activities for everyone.
No registration required.

Teen Pumpkin Painting Competition
2024-10-26 18:00 - 19:30
Get in the Halloween spirit! Teens (students in grades 6-12), join us at the Library for a pumpkin painting contest, complete with spooktacular prizes! All materials and pizza will be provided.
Grades 6-12. Registration required.

Adult Take and Make Kits
2024-10-28 09:00 - 2024-10-29 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 September 30: Sun Prints (Cyanotype)
Beginning October 28: Spooky Tiny Glass Bottle Necklace
Beginning November 25: Origami Lucky Star Jar

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.

Skills for Disagreeing Better with Braver Angels of East Central Illinois
2024-10-28 18:30 - 20:00
In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves–their core values and central concerns–but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.
When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding.
We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.
Goals:

More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard
Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear — even if they disagree

Note: Mahomet Public Library is partnering with Braver Angels of East Central Illinois to offer this workshop.
Braver Angels is a strictly non-partisan group working to helping Americans bridge the divide and reduce the polarization we see so much of in our current political climate. The Champaign area is home to one of three Braver Angels Alliances in Illinois, Braver Angels of East Central Illinois. Immediately following this workshop, the East Central IL alliance will hold its regular monthly meeting. If you are interested in learning more or possibly joining the group, you are welcome to stay and attend that meeting.
Mahomet Library Director John Howard says this about Braver Angels: “In late 2023, I tried to create some workshops for the Library which would demonstrate how we as citizens could talk together better to find solutions to our society’s biggest issues. I feel that the public library should be a safe place in our community where we can productively have these hard conversations. While I was struggling to create these workshops from scratch, I found that there was an organization who was already doing the very same thing! After some research, I was proud to join Braver Angels, and I plan to bring their positive brand of non-partisan communications to our community. If, like me, you are frustrated with the nastiness that is so common in our political conversations these days, I encourage you to attend upcoming Braver Angels programs at the Library, or even become a member yourself.”

Adults. Please register.

Adult Halloween Bingo & Costume Contest
2024-10-29 18:00 - 19:30
Get ready for a spooky evening of Halloween fun at the Library! Dress up in your favorite costume (optional, but encouraged), and compete for festive prizes in both the costume contest and BINGO games.
Adults. 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.

Stitching Circle
2024-11-02 13:00 - 14:30
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, September 7: 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, October 5: 10:00-11:30 am
Saturday, November 2: 1:00-2:30 pm

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

Senior Treats and Topics
2024-11-07 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for a thrilling blend of knowledge…and indulgence! Each month promises an exciting speaker with insights on various topics, accompanied by delightful treats! It is not necessary to be a senior to attend.
Dates and Topics:

September 12: Adult Healthcare Options with Sandy Hockman from Evergreen Place

This session will explore the senior living options in the area and covers the spectrum from independent living and assisted living to skilled nursing and hospice care.

October 3: Estate Planning with Theodore Facer from Facer Law Office

Estate planning is a necessary, but often complex area of legal and financial management. This session will cover key topics to help you understand and navigate the process.

November 7: Dementia and Communication with Sandy Hockman from Evergreen Place

Communicating with someone living with dementia can be challenging. This session will provide knowledge on how to positively interact to create a successful and less frustrating experience for everyone involved.

December 12: Holiday Music Memory Game with Library Staff

Enjoy a festive activity to challenge your memory!

For adults. No registration required.

Cookbook Club: Brilliant Bites
2024-11-07 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.
Registration is required.

Dates and Cookbooks:
Tuesday, September 3: The Weekday Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach
Thursday, November 7: Brilliant Bites by Maegan Brown

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.

Dungeons & Dragons Club
2024-11-10 13:30 - 16:00
Join us for exciting DnD adventures that encourage creativity, strategy, and teamwork! There’s sure to be fun at every session.
Grades 6-12. Registration required (register for each session individually). There is a max of 7 students for each session, so participants should be ready to commit to attending if they register.

Dates and Registration:

September 15
September 29
October 20
November 10

Note: Please click on one of the dates above to register for that specific session.

Tuesday Night Book Club
2024-11-12 18:30 - 20:00
Join us at the Library on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss that month’s great read!
August 13: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
September 10: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry
October 8: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
November 12: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
December 10: Holiday Party
No registration required.

More information about our December meeting:
Our December meeting will be a festive gathering to celebrate a year of reading! We will not feature a specific book, but we will have bookish fun and camaraderie. We will play some games (including gifts and free books), enjoy snacks, and reflect on our favorite reads from the past year. No need to bring anything but yourself and a list of some of your favorite recent reads.

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