Mahomet Public Library

Adult Take and Make Kits
2024-11-25 09:00 - 2024-11-26 20:00, 2024-10-28 09:00 - 2024-10-29 20:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Teen Craft Night: No-Sew Pillows
2024-11-22 17:30 - 19:00
Not a seamstress? Not a problem! Make your own no-sew fleece pillow! You bring yourself; we’ll provide all the materials for the project, plus pizza and snacks!
Grades 6-12. Registration required.

Preschool Playdate
2024-11-22 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-01 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.

Illinois Libraries Present: Holiday Tricks and Tips with Chef Art Smith
2024-11-20 19:00 - 20:00
Join Chef Art Smith to learn about his culinary journey and bring some culinary inspiration into your holiday season. A two-time James Beard Foundation award winner, Smith believes “The art of cooking, the act of feeding people, is the most engaging, most memorable way to connect with people.”

Smith began his career at the Florida Culinary Institute and honed his skills working with top chefs in France before finding himself in Chicago. Here he served as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for a decade and opened his first critically-acclaimed restaurant, Table Fifty-Two, known for its modern Southern dishes and locally sourced ingredients.
Smith is also a prolific cookbook author and TV personality, sharing his passion for Southern cuisine. He has appeared on Top Chef, Top Chef Duels, Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef America, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, BBQ Pitmasters, The Oprah Winfrey Show and more.
Named Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine and Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation, both in 2007, Smith is currently Executive Chef and Co-Owner with restaurants in Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Common Threads, a non-profit organization teaching low-income children to cook wholesome and affordable meals.
Smith will be joined in conversation by Monica Eng, award-winning Chicago journalist and co-host of food podcast “Chewing” w/ Louisa Chu.

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.

Elementary Explorers
2024-11-20 15:30 - 16:30, 2024-11-13 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.

Preschool Storytime
2024-11-20 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-13 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.

Adult Crafternoon: Intro to Needle Felting
2024-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for creativity, conversation, and fun each month at the Library! Learn a new skill and make a craft with supplies provided by the Library.
Dates and Crafts:
September 17: Painted Quilt Block
October 15: Upcycled Ghost Painting
November 19: Intro to Needle Felting
For adults. Registration required (register for each session individually).

Toddler Storytime
2024-11-19 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-11-12 10:00 - 10:30, 2024-10-29 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.

Baby Storytime
2024-11-19 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-11-12 09:30 - 09:50, 2024-10-29 09:30 - 09:50
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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
