Preschool Playdate
2024-02-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-02-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-02-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-01 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
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.
Please note: There will NOT be Preschool Playdate on April 5 or 19.

Pen to Paper: Creative Writing Workshop for Adults
2024-02-10 14:00 - 15:30
Get creative! This monthly writing workshop is for adults (ages 18+). Writers will have a chance to share their work and receive feedback from fellow writers.
Registration is required. Please note: Your registration includes all the sessions. Please let us know if you are unable to attend one of the sessions.

Back to the 80's! Murder Mystery Fundraiser Dinner
2024-02-10 18:00 - 21:00
We’re getting the band back together for a reunion tour, but could secrets past and present result in a murder? Break out your jean jacket, Izod shirt, leg warmers, and shoulder pads for a night of fun and drama. Enjoy a great dinner, a retro 80’s drink and a chance to solve a mystery.
Tickets for our annual murder mystery fundraiser usually sell out fast, so get yours today. Come wearing your totally tubular 80’s look – prizes will be awarded for the most rad outfits.

Location: Our Lady of the Lake Church
For adults. Ticket ($50) required.

Baby Storytime
2024-02-13 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-02-20 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-02-27 09:30 - 09:50
Bring your baby to storytime on Tuesday mornings at the Library! There will be songs, bounces, and books!
Please note: There will NOT be Baby Storytime on Tuesday, March 19.

Toddler Storytime
2024-02-13 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-02-20 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-02-27 10:00 - 10:30
Join us on Tuesday mornings for storytime for toddlers (ages 18 months – 3 years) and caregivers. There will be songs, rhymes, and stories!
Please note: There will NOT be storytime on Tuesday, March 19.

Valentine Bingo
2024-02-13 13:00 - 14:30
Get ready to shout “BINGO!” in an afternoon filled with fun and anticipation. Local businesses have generously donated exciting prizes. Ensure your spot by registering in advance – this event is tailored for those ages 18 and above. Join us for this delightful Valentine-themed event!
Registration is required.

We are grateful to the following local businesses who generously donated products/services for this event:

ClaytonHaus
Main Scoop
Salon 105
Briella’s Boutique

Tuesday Night Book Club
2024-02-13 18:30 - 20:00
Join us at the Library on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss that month’s great read!
January 16: The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
February 13: Maame by Jessica George
March 12: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
April 9: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
May 14: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
No registration required.

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

Preschool Storytime
2024-02-14 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-02-21 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-02-28 10:00 - 10:30
Join us on Wednesday mornings for storytime for preschoolers (ages 3-5) and caregivers. There will be songs, movement, and books!
Please note: There will NOT be Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, April 3.

Elementary Explorers
2024-02-14 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-02-21 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-02-28 15:30 - 16:30
Join us every Wednesday for a fun, one hour after school program! Activities will alternate monthly between Art Club and LEGO Club. 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.
December: LEGO Club

December 6: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
December 13: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)

January: Art Club

January 10, 17, 24: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
January 31: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

February: LEGO Club

February 7, 14, 28: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
February 21: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

March: Art Club

March 6: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
March 20, 27: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
No Art Club on March 13.

April: LEGO Club

April 3, 17, 24: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
April 10: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

Grades K-5. No registration required.

CANCELED: Winter Critical Conversations Book Club
2024-02-15 19:00 - 20:00
THIS BOOK CLUB HAS BEEN CANCELED. STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS BOOK CLUB SESSIONS.
Join us on Zoom for Critical Conversations, a book club focused on important cultural topics in contemporary society. This February, we’ll be reading Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftin.
Dates:
February 1
February 15

Adults. Registration is required. After you register, you will receive the link for the Zoom meeting.

Teddy Bear Hospital
2024-02-17 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
2024-02-20 13:00 - 15:00
Enjoy a crafty hobby and conversation each month! Participants are welcome to bring their own fiber arts projects (crochet, knitting, embroidery, etc…) or any crafty hobby. Beginners are welcome! A selection of basic supplies will also be available for use.
Dates:
January 23
February 20
April 16

No meeting in March or May.
Stitching Circle is a part of our Adult Craft Connection Program series. No registration required.

Illinois Libraries Present: Romance & Regency with Bridgerton’s Julia Quinn
2024-02-20 19:00 - 20:00
Julia Quinn, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning romance author, has written close to 40 novels including her popular series about the Bridgerton family which was adapted into an Emmy-nominated series on Netflix. Her newest novel, Queen Charlotte, is co-written with television pioneer Shonda Rhimes. It’s a powerful and romantic novel of Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte and King George III’s great love story and how it sparked a societal shift.
Quinn has been inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame and was recently named the national ambassador for EveryLibrary, an organization that helps libraries fight censorship. Quinn’s novels have been translated into 41 languages and have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list 19 times.
Julia Quinn will be joined in conversation with Sarah MacLean, bestselling historical romance author, romance columnist for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast Fated Mates.
Via Zoom. Register below.

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.

CANCELED: Difficult Discussions
2024-02-22 18:30 - 20:00
The Winter Difficult Discussion series has been canceled. Please read Library Director John Howard’s full statement and reasoning here.
Is it possible to discuss “difficult” or divisive issues without resorting to yelling, name calling or simply spouting slogans? How can we solve our society’s most challenging issues without talking to each other? Mahomet Public Library Director John Howard believes that learning to discuss divisive issues is desperately needed in our communities, and is out to show that it is possible. Come listen and participate while local experts and members of the community dig into some of our most divisive issues, with the hope that all of us can improve our ability to do the same.
Dates and Topics:
January 25: Gun Violence and Gun Control CANCELED DUE TO SPEAKER CANCELLATION
February 22: Immigration in America
March 21: The Role of Police in Society
For adults. No registration required.

Firm Foundations Social: Baby Playdate
2024-02-24 11:00 - 12:00
Enjoy playtime with new and old friends!
This is a social mixer for children ages 0-2 who are enrolled in our Firm Foundations program and their caregivers.
No registration required, but you must be enrolled in our Firm Foundations program.

Role With It! Play Reading Group
2024-02-25 14:00 - 16:30
Join the Library’s play-reading group for theatre enthusiasts! We’ll get together every other month to do a live reading of a full-length play. Participants will be assigned roles and receive their own copy of the script at the meeting. After the reading, we’ll discuss our thoughts about the play.

February 25: Our Town by Thornton Wilder
April 28: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

For teens and adults. Registration for each session is required.

Adult Take and Make Kit
2024-02-26 - 2024-02-28
Take home a craft to make! Our take-and-make crafts come with all the supplies needed for a project.

Dates and Crafts:
Beginning January 29: Wooden bead keychain
Beginning February 26: Yarn stamped greeting cards
Beginning March 25: Pinecone clothespin
Beginning April 29: DIY lip balm
Beginning May 27: Clay pot mushroom

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.

Senior Treats and Topics
2024-02-26 14:30 - 15:30
Designed for our retired adults, each month promises an exciting speaker with insights on various topics, accompanied by delightful treats! Join us for a thrilling blend of knowledge…and indulgence!

January 22: Understanding Medicare with Nicole Mitchell of Champaign County Healthcare consumers – RESCHEDULED for Thursday, March 21 from 2:00-3:00 pm (more info here)
February 26: Using Library e-Resources with Library Director John Howard
March 25: Improving Mood & Finding Happiness as We Age with Staci McNicholl from The Rock Counseling Group
April 22: Ways to Pay Online with Nick Schneider of First State Bank of Forrest

No registration required.

Teen Art Night: Book Nook
2024-02-29 18:00 - 19:30
Calling all creative teens! Each session is a unique opportunity to explore a craft or art project tailored just for you. This program is open to students in grades 6-12. Unleash your artistic talents and join us for a fantastic journey of creativity and self-expression!

Dates and Projects:
February 29: Book Nook
April 25: Beaded Friendship Bracelet or Keychain

Grades 6-12. Registration is required.
