Valentine Bingo
2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Celebrate Valentine’s season with fun afternoon of Bingo at the Library! Enjoy friendly competition, light refreshments, and the chance to win fantastic prizes generously donated by local businesses. Bring your friends, your sweetheart, or come solo. Please register; space is limited.
Adults. Registration required.

Thank you to the following businesses (in alphabetical order) for donating prizes:
Briks Pizza
Bulldog Automotive
Ice Daddy’s
Mahomet Chocolate Company
Patty Daddy’s
Rad Lad Games
Yellow & Co.

Keys to Homeownership: Learn How to Buy a House
2026-02-12 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-26 18:30 - 19:30
Buying a home can feel hard, but it doesn’t have to be! Join local real estate agent Kurtis Decker with eXp Realty and special guests to learn how the process works. Each class will cover a different step, from getting a loan to closing day. Ask questions, meet local experts, and feel ready to buy your first (or next) home.
Session 1 (February 12): Get Financially Ready to Buy or Sell with Confidence

What’s Covered: Explore financing, FHA, USDA, or conventional loans and down payments with guest lender Shay Moore from 217 Mortgage and Shaughnessy and Michelle Rice with Preferred Rate. Master pre-approval and buyer financing options. We will also discuss grant options for first time home buyers, as well as down payment assistance plans.
Guests: Shay Moore with 217 Mortgage and Shaughnessy and Michelle Rice with Preferred Rate sharing their loan expertise
Practical Takeaways: Feel confident getting pre-approved, choosing the best loan, and understanding your financial goals will set you up for home buying or selling success.

Session 2 (February 26): Ace Your Home Inspection Contingencies with Ease

What’s Covered: Understand inspection contingencies in the Residential Sales Contract. We will meet the team from Pristine Home Inspections; John Cheney and Mark Adair and learn how inspections play into negotiating the price before closing and meet with Michael Kizior with Achosa Home Warranty, Dave Parson’s from Parson’s electric and Theo Tabatt from Tabatt Construction
Guests: Mark Adair & John Cheney home inspectors, Michael Kizior, home warranty, Dave Parson, electrician, and Theo Tabatt with Tabatt Construction
Practical Takeaways: Negotiate repairs with ease, meet contingency deadlines and ensure loan-compliant homes. Explore the differences and similarities between homeowners insurance and a home warranty and what an electrician looks for on inspections.

Session 3 (March 12): Financial Readiness – Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

What’s Covered: Explore financial readiness with guest lender Jim McMurry from First Federal Saving Bank of Champaign-Urbana and Jenna Leman with BluPrint Home Loans. Both of them will share how to know if you are financially ready to get pre-approved. We will also discuss programs for first-time homebuyers that First Federal offers and specific programs that BluPrint Home Loans offers to their clients.
Guests: Jim McMurray and Jenna Leman sharing loan expertise
Practical Takeaways: Feel confident getting pre-approved, choosing the best loan, and understanding your financial goals will set you up for home buying or selling success.

Session 4 (March 26): Confidently Close & Sign Contracts with Assurance

What’s Covered: Learn how to finalize offer details in the Residential Sales Contract, Wiring Fraud Advisory, and title details with guests Hannah Shepard and Dawn Reynolds from Allied Capital Title, as well as real estate attorney, Kevin Luebchow with Kevin Luebchow Law.
Guests: Hannah and Dawn, Allied Capital Title and Kevin Luebchow, attorney
Practical Takeaways: Close with confidence, protect your funds, and navigate final steps smoothly and sign contracts with assurance, disclose issues correctly, and ask your attorney smart questions.

Adults. Register (recommended) for each session individually by clicking on the date above.

Preschool Playdate
2026-02-13 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-27 10:00 - 11:00
Children (ages 2-5) 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.

Teen After Hours Yappin' Hours: PowerPoint Party
2026-02-13 17:30 - 20:00
Calling all students in grades 6-12 who love to yap about anything and everything! The Library is hosting an after-hours powerpoint party for teens! You’ll have 30 minutes and free use of the library’s iPads to craft a brilliant slideshow presentation on the topic of your choice. Then, each participant will get 5 minutes to present their slideshow to a captive audience. Pizza and refreshments will be provided!
Grades 6-12. Registration required.

Murder Mystery Fundraiser Dinner: "A Poisonous Promenade"
2026-02-14 18:00 - 20:00
Rent a tux, break out the Aqua Net and a strapless gown, and return to high school. This year’s murder mystery is set at Prom! Interact with the jock, the nerd, the stoner, the popular girl and more as you navigate a mystery pulled from all your favorite teen movies. Join us for “A Poisonous Promenade.”
Adults. Ticket ($55) required.
Tickets are now on sale! Click on the “Register Now” link below to purchase a ticket.

Please Note: Dressing according to theme is common, but optional!

School's Out! Monday Movie Matinee
2026-02-16 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for a special movie on the big screen at the Library! Snacks will be provided.
January 19: Dog Man
February 16: The Wild Robot
April 6: The One and Only Ivan
Recommended for ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Baby Storytime
2026-02-17 09:30 - 09:50, 2026-02-24 09:30 - 09:50, 2026-03-03 09:30 - 09:50
Bring your baby to the Library for a fun storytime featuring lap bounces, songs, rhymes, and books!
This storytime is designed especially for our littlest library lovers (age 0-18 months) and their caregivers!

Toddler Storytime
2026-02-17 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-02-24 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-03-03 10:00 - 10:30
Join us at the Library for a storytime specifically designed for toddlers (ages 18 months to 3 years) and their caregivers, featuring songs, rhymes and books!

Adult Crafternoon: Paper Cone Wreath
2026-02-17 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for creativity, conversation, and fun! Learn a new skill and make a craft with supplies provided by the Library.
Dates and Crafts:
January 20: Woven Mug Rug
February 17: Paper Cone Wreath
March 24: Pressed Flower Luminary
April 21: Beaded Succulents
May19: Perler Bead Magnets

Adults. Registration required.

Preschool Storytime
2026-02-18 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-02-25 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-03-04 10:00 - 10:30
Drop in for a fun-filled storytime designed for preschool-aged children (3-5 years) and their caregivers!
MPL storytimes feature a fun mix of songs, rhymes, and books!

Elementary Explorers
2026-02-18 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-02-25 15:30 - 16:30, 2026-03-04 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: STEM Club

January 14 & 28: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
January 21: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

February: Art Club

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

March: LEGO Club

March 4 & 25: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
March 11: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
March 18: no meeting

April: Drama Club

April 1, 8, 22, 29: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
April 15: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

Grades K-5. No registration required.

Cartoon Club
2026-02-19 15:30 - 17:00
Are you a cartoon fanatic? Join our Cartoon Club, a club for discussing cartoons instead of books!
We’ll watch two episodes of a cartoon, and then discuss it in the same way a book club would.
February: Amphibia
April: Avatar: the Last Airbender

Grades 3-8. 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.

Medicare 101
2026-02-24 18:30 - 19:30
Learn the basics of how Medicare works, what the different parts cover, and how to choose the right plan for your needs. Perfect for those approaching age 65, already on Medicare, or helping a loved one navigate their options.
Presented by 360 Benefits Group (a firm with over 40 years of combined experience across underwriting, consulting, and account management, created to bring transparency, strategy, and year-round support back into insurance.)

Little Groovers: Music and Movement
2026-02-26 10:00 - 10:30
Your littles are invited to wiggle, giggle, and groove their way to fun while engaging their imaginations, enhancing motor skills, and building social connections!
We’ll explore rhythm, sound, and movement with a fun selection of songs and dances.
Ages 2-5 and caregivers. No registration required.

Jr. D&D Club
2026-02-28 13:30 - 15:30
Registration is required to participate in this program. Please register for each session separately.
Calling all young adventurers in grades 3-5! Join us at the Library for a series of one-shot D&D games led by community member Joe Trotter!
Players will practice problem solving and teamwork while engaging in exciting adventures filled with magic and action!

Grades 3-5. Please register for each session individually.

Teen D&D Club
2026-03-01 13:30 - 16:30
Library staff member, Ty, will lead a group of 6th-12th graders through a 5-part Dungeons and Dragons campaign. The group will meet once every three weeks and play through an extended campaign full of adventure and magic.
Grades 6-12. Registration required.
Dates and Times:
January 18, 1:30-4:30 pm
February 8, 1:30-4:30 pm
March 1, 1:30-4:30 pm
March 22, 1:30-4:30 pm

Braver Angels Debate: Birthright Citizenship
2026-03-03 18:30 - 20:00
Debate with Braver Angels! The subject of the debate this time is birthright citizenship.
President Trump – in his second term – has proposed an end to birthright citizenship, which grants automatic American citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.” This right of citizenship was added to the Constitution by the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified after the Civil War in 1868. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the language of the amendment includes all “persons”, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.
Some people think that birthright citizenship is fundamental to American identity and character, while others feel it should be limited or eliminated altogether. What impact would ending birthright citizenship have on America’s immigration policy? This resolution launches a debate about the impact of altering immigration policy.
Residents are invited to attend and participate in the debate. Braver Angels debates encourage listening and active conversation. They are moderated to ensure that conversation remains civil and that both sides of the question are heard. The resolution is offered as a starting place for conversation, and does not reflect the views of the Mahomet Public Library. The Library hosts these debates to promote friendly and productive discussion of the difficult issues facing our society.
For adults. No registration required.

An Evening with Dr. Gingold: A Holocaust Survivor's Story
2026-03-05 17:30 - 19:00
Join us for a powerful and personal presentation by Dr. William Gingold, a Holocaust survivor and retired professor.
Dr. Gingold will share his family’s story of survival and resilience after escaping Nazi persecution during World War II. Born in Poland in 1939, Dr. Gingold spent part of his early childhood in the Warsaw Ghetto and displacement camps before coming to the United States.
Registration recommended. Due to high interest, we anticipate a large crowd with standing room only. We encourage registration – there are 70 chairs available. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may not have a chair.
