Celebrate Library Love, Watch the Eclipse, and Ride MTD for Free!
National Library Week | April 7–13, 2024
CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK with us! Enjoy an eclipse viewing party, free tax help, storytimes, magnetic poetry kits, tours of The Studio, and a whole lot of “Library Love” at the 40+ events planned for April 7–13, 2024. Library events are free and open to everyone.
New this year! During National Library Week (April 7–13), you can ride MTD for free when you show your Champaign Public Library or Urbana Free Library card. Enjoy relaxing on your next trip around town when you “Read + Ride with MTD.” Plan your trip at mtd.org. Available on all routes throughout the week.
Where will you be April 8? Champaign Public Library is hosting an out-of-this-world, all-ages Eclipse Celebration (1–2:30 pm) featuring DJ Silkee, free eclipse glasses, crafts for kids, and the NASA livestream on view inside. Last time, more than 1500 community members shared an awe-inspiring afternoon together (see above, from August 21, 2017).
National Library Week is a time to highlight the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. Community members can show appreciation and support for libraries by signing up for a library card, visiting the library, and sharing Library Love on social media.
First observed in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and celebrated by libraries across the country each April.
“Read + Ride with MTD” is presented in partnership with Champaign–Urbana Mass Transit District, Champaign Public Library, and The Urbana Free Library.
MONDAY–SATURDAY, APRIL 1–7
• Eclipse Glasses Giveaway, 8 am · Main Library
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
“Penny for Your Thoughts” Live Broadcast, 9–11 am – Brian Barnhart, host of the WDWS radio show, “A Penny for Your Thoughts,” will broadcast live from the library. He’ll be interviewing Library Director Brittany Millington and others in honor of National Library Week (April 7–13) and the Eclipse Celebration on Monday, April 8.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Eclipse Glasses Giveaway, 11 am · Main Library
• The Studio at the Library, open Sundays 12–6 pm
• FriendShop Bookstore, 1–4 pm
MONDAY, APRIL 8
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Babies Love Books, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45 am
• The Studio at the Library | Daily Tours!, 10 am
• Eclipse Celebration!, 1–2:30 pm · Enjoy a solar eclipse viewing party—with DJ Silkee, free safety glasses, and the NASA livestream.
• Teen Lounge, 3 pm
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Tax Help, 9 am–4:30 pm* · Sign up
• Toddler Tales, 9:45, 10:15, 10:45 am
• The Studio at the Library | Daily Tours!, 10 am
• Tuesdays at Ten: Gardening, 10 am
• Intro to Microsoft Excel, Part II, 2 pm* · Sign up
• Teen Lounge, 3 pm
• Gwendolyn Brooks Magnetic Poetry Kits, 4 pm @ Douglass Branch
• Joint Book Discussion | Cover-to-Cover and Table Talk Book Clubs: Sisters in Arms by Kaia Anderson, 6:30 pm @ Douglass Branch
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Tax Help, 9 am–4:30 pm* · Sign up
• Ready, Set, Read!, 9:45 and 10:30 am
• The Studio at the Library | Daily Tours!, 10 am
• FriendShop Bookstore: Members’ Half-Price Sale, 1–4 pm
• DIY Kids | Tech Toys, 4 pm @ Douglass Branch
• Crafty Adults | Blackout Poetry, 6 pm* · Sign up starting April 1
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Tax Help, 9 am–4:30 pm* · Sign up
• Make & Take for Preschoolers, 10 am
• The Studio at the Library | Daily Tours!, 10 am
• Mastering Instagram Reels with Scott Clanin, 10 am
• Babies Love Books, 10:30 am @ Douglass Branch
• SBDC Office Hours in Launch Business Center, 12–3 pm
• FriendShop Bookstore: Member’s Half-Price Sale, 1–4 pm
• Coffee and a Craft | Plastic Canvas Keychain, 2 pm @ Douglass Branch
• Teen Lounge, 3 pm
• Family Fun Night | Magnetic Poetry Kids, 6:30 pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Tax Help, 9 am–4:30 pm* · Sign up
• Project READ Tutoring, drop in 9:30–11:30 am
• The Studio at the Library | Daily Tours!, 10 am
• Toddler Tales, 10:30 am @ Douglass Branch
• Professional Headshot Sessions, 11 am–1 pm* · Event full
• FriendShop Bookstore: Members’ Half-Price Sale, 1–4 pm
• Teen Lounge, 3 pm
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Ride MTD for free with your Champaign or Urbana library card!
• Tax Help, 9 am–4:30 pm* · Sign up
• The Studio at the Library, open Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• The Studio at the Library | Daily Tours!, 10 am
• FriendShop Bookstore: Members’ Half-Price Sale, 1–4 pm
• LEGO Club, 3 pm, age 5 and up
*Some events require registration.
EXHIBITS
• “Space! The Milky Way, Two Ways” – Art installation by Adriane Binky Donley at both locations.
• The Art Connection: Schools to Library – Artwork by 40+ Champaign Unit 4 School District students, curated by their art teachers. On view in the Children’s area and FriendShop Bookstore. Curators:
—Amy Cunningham, Westview Elementary School
—Amy Lozar, South Side Elementary School
—John Odum, Carrie Busey Elementary School
The FriendShop Bookstore is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.
Get your own library T-shirt ($25): Available in adult, youth, toddler, and baby sizes. Place your order online and pick up at the library, or we can ship anywhere. Printed locally. Order shirts and sweatshirts »
