Elementary Explorers
2024-02-21 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-02-28 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-03-06 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
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: 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.

Preschool Playdate
2024-02-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-15 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.
Please note: There will NOT be Preschool Playdate on April 5 or 19.

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.

Baby Storytime
2024-02-27 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-03-05 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-03-12 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
2024-02-27 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-03-05 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-03-12 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.

Preschool Storytime
2024-02-28 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-03-06 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-03-13 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.

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.

Graphic Novel Book Club
2024-03-01 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:
February 2: The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
March 1: Stargazing by Jen Wang

Registration is required for each session.

Adult Crafternoon
2024-03-05 13:00 - 14:00
Get crafty with your friends or make some new friends!
Join us each month as we craft together. You can bring your own project to work on or create a unique craft with instructions and supplies provided by the Library.
Dates and Crafts:

January 9: Make your own candle
February 6: Heart string art
March 5: Bookmark
April 2: Sock bunny
June 4: Diamond painting
July 2: Bullet journaling

Adult Crafternoons are part of our Adult Craft Connection Program series.
No registration required. No meeting in May.

Cookbook Club
2024-03-05 18:00 - 19:30
This program is perfect for adults who enjoy cooking and sharing food together. All experience levels are welcome! Each Cookbook Club meeting 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.

Cookbooks:
January 9: Half Baked Harvest: Every Day by Tieghan Gerard
March 5: Magnolia Table (Vol. 1) by Joanna Gaines

DIY Earring Workshop
2024-03-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-03-07 18:00 - 19:30
Discover the art of crafting beaded earrings, perfect for adorning yourself or gifting to a friend. We’ve got all the bling you need—just bring your creativity!
Registration is required. There are two workshops; please register for ONE session at 1:00 pm or 6:00 pm.

Pen to Paper: Creative Writing Workshop for Adults
2024-03-09 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.

Beach Blanket Bingo
2024-03-11 10:00 - 11:30
Dive into Spring Break fun at the Library! Grab your beach blanket or towel, take a seat, and join the BINGO extravaganza for a shot at scoring some awesome prizes. This special program is exclusively for the little beachgoers. Let the Spring Break celebration begin!

For kids in preK-fifth grade. Registration is required.

Tuesday Night Book Club
2024-03-12 18:30 - 20:00
Join us at the Library on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss that month’s great read!
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
June 11: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutano
July 9: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
August 13: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
No registration required.

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