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Juneteenth Emancipation Day Community Celebration!
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Sat., June 18, from 12–3 pm | JOIN US IN CELEBRATING 157 years since the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. Bring your family and friends to Douglass Park for summer fun and games, including performances by Chicago-based Carlos Cannon Band, local favorite Noah I. Brown, and the Jefferson Middle School Dance Team. Mr. Lincoln, aka Kevin Wood, will read the Emancipation Proclamation. Activities include a bounce house, 360 photo booth, face painting, and a caricature artist. Presented in partnership with the Champaign Park District. >> Juneteenth books at the library
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READ-A-PALOOZA! SUMMER SERIES
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Fantastic Foam, Butterflies, Music, Magic, & Juggling
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ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES, performances, and celebrations this summer at our Read-a-palooza! Summer Series, including an amazing science show (June 25) with magical foam and a Van de Graaf generator that makes your hair stand on end! Read-a-palooza! Summer Series6/11 · Jodi Kopplin’s Jiggle Jam, 3 pm 6/18 · Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, 12–3 pm, Douglass Branch, All ages 6/25 · Fantastic Foam & More Science Show, 1 & 3 pm 7/9 · Bedazzling Butterfly Tents, from 1–4 pm 7/23 · Rick Eugene’s Sensational Magic Show, 1 & 3 pm 8/6 · Comedy Juggler Troy Roark, 3 pm 8/14 · Read-a-palooza! Summer Reading Finale, 12–3 pm
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Read to Win!
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SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME to celebrate a love for reading. Kids, teens, and adults can win with the library’s Read-a-palooza! Summer Reading Challenge (through Aug 15). Prizes include books, rainbow walking springs for kids, Champaign Park District passes and coupons to local eateries for teens, and even themed gift baskets (up to $375 value) for adults, with merchandise from local businesses. Sign up online or download the Beanstack app to get started. In the first two weeks, 1,458 community members have already signed up!
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“Donna Pittman Day” June 1st
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CHAMPAIGN CITY COUNCIL and Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen declared June 1 “Donna Pittman Day” in honor of Library Director Donna Pittman’s 33 years of dedicated service at the library and in recognition of her lasting legacy. The Proclamation includes many accolades and was read publicly at a recent Council meeting (starts at 4:41), which ended in a standing ovation. We love seeing her celebrated!
Donna is retiring from a long career at the library. She has been the director since 2016, having previously served as outreach librarian and development director. She reflected, “I found my calling when I started work here 33 years ago. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff, our beautiful building, and the service we provide to community members of all ages.”
Katie Blakeman, president of the Library Board of Trustees, said “The Champaign Public Library has flourished under Donna’s leadership, and the Board is so very grateful for her service. Donna has overseen transformative change at the Library, always responding thoughtfully to the needs of our community. With her guidance, the Library has undertaken programs that directly address challenges like early literacy, employment, and youth engagement. She has shepherded the Library through the adversity of the last two years with creativity and determination and has ensured access to Library services when they are most needed. We will miss Donna greatly, and we have every confidence that she will be leaving the Library in a position for continued success.”
We wish you all the best in your retirement, Donna!
See below for news about Deputy Director Brittany Millington being named the next director, starting June 1.
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Writer’s Workshops
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Tue., June 7, at 10 am | JOIN US FOR COFFEE and a conversation about your job search at Where Do I Start?. Local business owner and professional recruiter Denise Renee Poindexter, founder of The Girlfriend Career Consultant, LLC, will share strategies for staying motivated throughout the process of finding a job or changing careers.
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Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs
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NEED HELP looking for a job or launching a business? Our career and business events meet in person at the Main Library: Get that Job! Workshops6/ 7 · Where Do I Start?, 10 am 6/14 · Job Search 101, 10 am 6/16 · Resume Drop-In, 4–5 pm 6/21 · Tech Tips for Your Job Search, 10 am Start + Grow Your Business6/2 · Market Research 101: Evaluate Your Industry & Environment, 12 pm 6/6 · Scaling Your Business, 7 pm 6/8 · Instagram for Business 201, 10 am 6/16 · Q&A with The Brand Hub, 12 pm 6/20 · So You Want to Own a Restuarant, 7 pm 6/30 · Market Research 101: Identify Your Customers, 12 pm You can watch recordings of 90+ career and business webinars anytime on the library’s YouTube channel.
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Library staff, including Career Librarian Jordan Neal (pictured above), help community members individually during Book-a-Librarian appointments.
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Tech Workshops
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For anyone already comfortable using a computer, local artist Liza Wynette will be teaching Intro to Adobe Illustrator (June 27, 6:30 pm) as part of a new Specialty Tech series on computer-based drawing tools.
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FriendShop Bookstore Sales
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DURING JUNE, save 50% off travel titles at the FriendShop Bookstore. This friendly shop is open to everyone and includes 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. Take the elevator to the lower level at the Main Library. Open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12–3 pm. Monthly Sales• June 8, 10, 11 – Half-Price Sale for Members • June 22, 24, 25 – Tag Bag Sale, take home a bag of books for just $1 Want to help? Joining the Library Friends is easy and memberships start at $10. We also need volunteers during shop hours. Volunteer »
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Watch Webinars on YouTube
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WATCH WEBINARS, storytime songs, and crafts anytime on the library’s YouTube channel. You’ll find 300+ videos organized into playlists—career, business, tech workshops, writing, crafts, and more. Go to YouTube »
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June 2022
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Congratulations to Ellie who stopped by the Douglass Branch recently with her mom, so she could get her first library card!
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL AGES
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FOR KIDS & FAMILIES
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IN JUNE, join us for in-person performances and craft activities designed especially for kids and families!
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Jodi Kopplin’s Jiggle JamSat., June 11, at 3 pm Main Library
Fantastic Foam & More Science Show
Two showtimes! Sat., June 25, at 1 & 3 pm Main Library
DIY KidsWednesdays at 4 pm Douglass Branch
Artsy Smartsy KidsThursdays at 3 pm For grades 1–5 Main Library 6/2 · Campfire Crafts 6/9 · Hawaiian Lei 6/16 · DIY Decorating Squishies 6/23 · Grass Buddy Planter 6/30 · Button Tree Canvas
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FOR PRESCHOOLERS
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime Meets monthly at 11:15 am. For ages 0–6. 6/27 · Douglass Branch 6/29 · Main Library Make & Take Thursdays at 10 am Main Library TO LEARN favorite storytime songs and rhymes at home, watch our videos on YouTube or Facebook.
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FOR TEENS
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LIKE CRAFTING? So do we! Stop by TeenSpace at the Main Library on Tuesday afternoons, from 1–4 pm. We provide the supplies, so all you need to do is drop in!
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Coffee and a Craft: Decorative Frame Wed., June 8, at 10:30 am Douglass Branch
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Crafty Adults: Flower Arranging for the Home Gardener Wed., June 8, at 7 pm with Maggie Taylor, Delight Flower Farm Reservations open June 1. Reserve your spot » (30 participants) Main Library
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So You Want to Own a RestaurantMon., June 20, at 7 pm with Gayle Starks, owner of Neil St. Blues Main Library Read more »
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Project READ Tutoring Fridays, drop in 9:30–11:30 am Main Library
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Gale Courses Start Monthly
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BOOK DISCUSSION
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Cover-to-Cover Book Club: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich Thu., June 9, at 1:30 pm Main Library
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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!
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