April 2022 | News No images? Click here What do virtual reality, writing children’s books, and Networking 101 have in common? Your library!Congratulations to new residents who stopped by the Douglass Branch to sign up for library cards. They thought it was perfect we had six different color cards and tote bags so everyone could get a different color—and take home their favorite. Welcome to Champaign! In-Person Events for Adults & Teens WE LOOK FORWARD to seeing you soon! Starting in April, we are presenting in-person events for adults and teens. The Library Café hours are expanding and catering will be available for your meetings in the Robeson Pavilion. In May, we plan to add in-person events for kids, including storytimes at both locations and the Read-a-palooza! Summer Reading Kickoff Party (May 22). Service updates » Travel with Virtual Reality Mon, Apr 11, at 6:30 pm | COME EXPLORE the cosmos! Try on virtual reality goggles and learn about celestial phenomena at the same time. Your tour guide will be Erik Johnson, director of the William M. Staerkel Planetarium and associate professor of astronomy at Parkland College. Reserve your spot! (15 participants) So You Want to Write a Children’s Book HAVE YOU ALWAYS wanted to write a children’s picture book? Stop dreaming about it and let’s do it! Join award-winning poet and children’s author Janice Harrington at So You Want to Write a Children’s Book (April 15 at 2 pm). She’ll share insights into the world of children’s book writing. This 90-minute workshop features interactive activities to hone your skills. Meets at the Douglass Branch. Reserve your spot » Networking 101 Tue, Apr 12, at 10 am | LEARN STRATEGIES to make a great first impression, increase your confidence, and create lasting connections. Presented by Career Librarian Jordan Neal and Business Librarian Madeleine Wolske. Meets at the Main Library.Part of the Get that Job! and Start & Grow Your Business series. Great Authors at the Library: Scott Turow Visits May 5 WE ARE THRILLED to announce #1 New York Times bestselling author and lawyer Scott Turow will visit Champaign as part of the Great Authors at the Library series on Thursday, May 5, at 7 pm. His books have been translated into 40+ languages and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Both locations will close at 5 pm to prepare. The Main Library will reopen at 6:30 pm for special seating on the second floor. Join the next Cover-to-Cover Book Club meeting (April 14 at 1:30 pm) to discuss Scott Turow’s The Last Trial. Library Café Hours Expand, Catering Now Available STARTING APRIL 4, we are expanding hours so you can enjoy the Library Café all day, every day, during open hours at the Main Library. In addition, we will offer catering for meetings in the Robeson Pavilion. You can add catering to your order when you reserve a room. “Penny for Your Thoughts” Live Broadcast with Brian Barnhart Thu, Apr 7, from 9–11 am | BRIAN BARNHART, host of the WDWS radio show “Penny for Your Thoughts,” will broadcast live from the library in honor of National Library Week. Barnhart is well known to Illini fans for his announcing during University of Illinois football and basketball games. ENJOY WRITING? Hone your skills and connect with other writers at hands-on workshops at the Main Library. Writer’s Workshops · Wednesdays, 7 pm Part of the Writer’s Workshops series. Boneyard Arts Festival ENJOY ARTWORK at the Main Library during the Boneyard Arts Festival (April 1–3), including a magical installation in the lobby and artwork by 20+ students from Champaign Unit 4 School District in the FriendShop Bookstore (open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12–3 pm). For the FriendShop, take the elevator to the lower level to see The Art Connection: From Schools to Library, showcasing student artwork from Booker T. Washington STEM Academy and Stratton Academy of the Arts, curated by their teachers, Emily Pawlicki and Priscilla Putman. Above: The Year of the Tiger installation by Adriane Binky Donley, with Yu Wendy Wu and Minghan Ma. CELEBRATE International Children’s Book Day (April 2) by reading books from around the world! You can watch videos of book recommendations from our Children’s staff on the library’s YouTube channel. Illustration by Julie Flett. For Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs NEED HELP looking for a job or launching a business? We offer workshops designed especially for job seekers and entrepreneurs. Starting this month, both series meet at the Main Library. Hope to see you there! Get that Job! Start + Grow Your Business WITH THE LEGALIZATION of cannabis in Illinois, people with past cannabis convictions are allowed to remove the cases from their criminal records. Get your questions answered at Expungement of Cannabis Records (April 19 at 7 pm), presented by lawyers from the nonprofit Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. Meets at the Main Library. Tech Workshops TECH QUESTIONS? Our Getting Started workshops introduce computers, tablets, and more. Starting in April, most workshops will meet in person at the Main Library. This month includes an Intro to Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides (April 5, Live Webinar) and a few workshops for getting to know your smartphone or tablet, including learning how to take pictures. To reserve your spot, sign up online or give us call at (217) 403-2000. We are happy to help! Spring Reading Challenge Ends, Pick Up Prizes by April 30 Reading Is a HOOT! Spring Reading Game for infants, kids, and teens ends April 30. Stop by to pick up your prize books! (Next up? Summer Reading starts May 15.) Open Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday · 12–3 pm DURING APRIL, save 50% off fiction books at the FriendShop Bookstore. Open to everyone, the shop is located on the lower level at the Main Library and offers more than 20,000 used books, movies, and audiobooks. Most items are $2 or less. And the best part? All the money you spend goes right back to the library since the items sold are donations and the store is staffed by volunteers. Stop by for special sales this month: • April 13, 15, 16 – Half-Price Sale for Members Want to support the Library Friends? Joining is easy and memberships start at $10. We also need volunteers during shop hours. Volunteer » April 2022 DO YOUNG VISITORS enjoy riding the orange puppy “chairs” in the children’s play area? Why, yes! CELEBRATE National Library Week (April 3–9) by sharing your #LibraryLove photos or stories on social media. Be sure to tag us! Order your own library T-shirt or sweatshirt » EVENT HIGHLIGHTS VIRTUAL: Crafty Adults: Geometric Jewelry Coffee & a Craft: Paper Flower Frame Money Matter$ | Your Financial Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together Celebrate National Poetry Month with Poet Michael J. LaDue Project READ Tutoring Project READ Tutor Training Gale Courses Start Monthly NEW SESSIONS start each month for 375 online Gale Courses. Learn to buy and sell on eBay, how to grow an edible garden, or speed Spanish—there’s something for everyone. Sessions run six weeks and are taught by college instructors. BOOK DISCUSSIONS Joint Book Discussion: Table Talk & Cover-to-Cover Book Clubs: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Cover-to-Cover Book Club: The Last Trial by Scott Turow What Should My Book Club Read Next? We have 23 recommended reads available for your group. At Krannert Center: AS PART of a community collaboration around Octavia E. Butler’s book, Parable of the Sower, Toshi Reagon will appear in concert sharing music from her opera based on the novel (April 14 at 7:30 pm, Krannert Center). Free tickets are available using the promotional code “SPRING.” Questions? Contact the ticket office » FOR TEENS LOOKING FOR something exciting to do after school? Middle and high school students are invited to enjoy activities and fun at Teen Lounge, from 3–4:30 pm, in the Main Library’s Robeson Pavilion. FOR KIDS & FAMILIES IN APRIL, join us for live broadcasts of storytimes Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, at 10 am on the library’s Facebook page—and on first Fridays, enjoy Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime at 10 am. *Look for in-person storytimes at both locations in May! Take & Make Kits PICK UP a Take & Make kit each week for your kids to enjoy at home! DIY Kids Take & Make Take & Make for Preschoolers Artsy Smartsy Kids WHAT’S NEW? Reserve New Releases online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We’ll let you know when your hold items are ready for pickup! YOU’LL FIND 300+ webinars and storytime songs on the library’s YouTube channel. LIBRARY CLOSED Both locations will be closed Sunday, April 17. Love to Learn Languages? Get Started with Mango Languages READY TO START learning a new language? Want to brush up before traveling this summer? Your library card gives you access to learning 70 different languages via the Mango Languages website and app. When you’re ready to jump in, our Niche Academy tutorials walk you through how to set up an account and get started with Mango Languages—and other library tools and apps like Kanopy, Libby, and JobNow. We pay the subscription fees for dozens of tools, so you don’t have to. Which ones? Find all our E-Library resources on the library website. >> 29 Great How-to Tutorials for Getting Started with Mango Languages, streaming audiobooks, and more UnsubscribePrefer not to receive this newsletter? 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