Mahomet Public Library

Pen to Paper: Creative Writing Workshop for Adults
2023-11-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-10-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Preschool Playdate
2023-11-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-10-27 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-10-13 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.
Please note: There will NOT be Preschool Playdate on October 20 or November 24.

Critical Conversations Book Club
2023-11-02 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00
Join us on Zoom for Critical Conversations, a book club focused on important cultural topics in contemporary society. This fall, we’ll be reading Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper.
Book Club Dates:
October 12
November 2
November 16
Registration is required. After you register, you will receive the link for the Zoom meeting.

How to Love Your Family When You Hate Their Politics
2023-11-02 18:30 - 19:30
The holidays are coming and that means time with family. How do you navigate these get-togethers when, too often, the conversation turns to politics or other hot-button issues?
The staff of Rock Counseling Group will offer us some tips on:

managing controversial topics when they arise
setting appropriate boundaries and ground rules for family gatherings
maintaining loving relationships with family members whose viewpoints clash with yours
protecting your own emotional and mental health

No registration required.

Elementary Explorers
2023-11-01 13:30 - 14:30, 2023-10-18 13:30 - 14:30, 2023-10-11 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.
September: Art Club

September 6, 13, 27: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
September 20: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)

October: LEGO Club

October 4, 11: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
October 18: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
No club meeting on October 25

November: Art Club

November 1: early dismissal (1:30-2:30 pm)
November 8, 15, 29: regular time (3:30-4:30 pm)
No club meeting on November 22

December: LEGO Club

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

Grades K-5. No registration required.

Preschool Storytime
2023-11-01 10:00 - 10:30, 2023-10-18 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 October 25 or November 22.

Toddler Storytime
2023-10-31 10:00 - 10:30, 2023-10-17 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 October 24.

Baby Storytime
2023-10-31 09:30 - 09:50, 2023-10-17 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 October 24.

Adult Take and Make Kit: Embroidery Hoop Spider Web
2023-10-30 - 2023-11-02
Take home a craft to make! Our take-and-make crafts come with all the supplies needed for a project.

Crafts:
Beginning September 25: Clay leaf dish
Beginning October 30: Embroidery hoop spider webs
Beginning November 27: Pressed flower lantern

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.

CANCELLED: Halloween Movie on the Lawn: The Addams Family
2023-10-28 18:30 - 20:30
The weather isn’t looking good for Saturday night, so we’ve had to cancel the movie. Our Book or Treat event is still on for Saturday morning, though!

Join us after our Book or Treat event for a fun Halloween movie on the library lawn! We’ll be showing the 2019 animated movie, The Addams Family. The movie will start at 6:30 pm, but we recommend arriving a little early to pick your seat.
Free popcorn will be provided. Please bring a lawn chair or blankets to sit on.
No registration required.

Book or Treat
2023-10-28 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.

Pottering Around the UK: Real-Life Locations from the World of Harry Potter
2023-10-26 18:30 - 19:30
Travel vicariously via Zoom as Anglophile and former UK resident Claire Evans takes you on a historic, scenic, architectural, and (occasionally) culinary tour of Harry Potter’s magical world! From London to Scotland and points in between, admire the amazing real-life locations film scouts picked throughout the best of the British Isles, and get tips if you’d like to visit the sights yourself one day.
Registration is required. Since this program will be held live via Zoom, those who register must provide a valid email address and will receive the Zoom link 24 hours before the program.

Book Sale
2023-10-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-20 09:00 - 18:00, 2023-10-19 17:00 - 20:00
Thursday, October 19 | 5:00 – 8:00 pm (preview night for Friends members only; you can join at the door)
Friday, October 20 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, October 21 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 22 | 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Illinois Libraries Present: Food, Family, and Folk Tales with Grace Lin
2023-10-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join Newbery and Caldecott honoree and New York Times bestselling Grace Lin for an engaging conversation about her journey to become an award-winning author and illustrator. Learn about her latest middle grade book, Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods, a beautifully written full-color book that explores the whimsical myths and stories behind your favorite American Chinese food, and learn how you can draw your own stories. Evanston Public Library Children’s Librarian Brian E. Wilson joins Grace in conversation.
Before she was a bestselling author and illustrator of picture books, early readers and middle grade novels, Grace was the only Asian girl going to her elementary school in Upstate NY. That experience, good and bad, has influenced her books—including her Newbery Honor Where The Mountain Meets the Moon, her Geisel Honor Ling & Ting, her National Book Finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver and her Caldecott Honor A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Grace advocates for diversity through her TEDx talk – “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf” – and a PBSNewHour video essay, “What to do when you realize classic books from your childhood are racist?” She continues this mission with her podcast kidlitwomen. In 2016, Grace’s art was displayed at the White House and Grace, herself, was recognized by President Obama as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling.
Via Zoom. Registration is required.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, 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).

Stitching Circle
2023-10-17 13:00 - 15:00
Enjoy a crafty hobby and conversation each month this fall! 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:
September 19
October 17
November 21

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

Role With It! Play Reading Group
2023-10-15 14:00 - 16:30
Join the Library’s play-reading group for theatre enthusiasts! We’ll get together each 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.

September: Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice
October: Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring
November: It’s a Wonderful Life by James W. Rodgers

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

Graphic Novel Book Club
2023-10-13 15:30 - 16:30
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 15: All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
The author of Roller Girl is back with a graphic novel about starting middle school, surviving your embarrassing family, and the Renaissance Faire!
October 13: Amulet: The Stone Keeper by Kazu Kibuishi.
Amulet: The Stone Keeper includes the adventures of Emily Hayes, who must try to rescue her kidnapped mother with the assistance of her younger brother Navin, a mysterious amulet, and helper robots such as Miskit.

Registration is required for each session.

Write On! Teen Writing Group
2023-10-12 18:00 - 19:00
Keep your writing skills sharp! This writing group for teens will meet monthly to talk about different aspects of the writing process and take turns sharing our work with the group. Creative writers of all levels are welcome!
Register for each session individually. Grades 6-12.

Session Dates:
September 7
October 12
November 9
