LIVE MUSIC * GIANT BUBBLES * ICY TREATS!
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Bee Creative! Summer Finale |
Sun., Aug. 13, from 12–3 pm | ENJOY LIVE MUSIC, giant bubbles, and free icy treats—at the Bee Creative Summer Reading Finale. Featured entertainers include Wildwood String Band sharing bluegrass tunes (12–1 pm) and New Souls performing soul, R&B, funk, and hip-hop (1:30–3 pm) on the lawn. Art stations will be set up under tents outside. Don’t miss balloon creations, face painting, and caricature artist Dan Wild. You can also pick up your prizes. Let’s celebrate together!
Made possible with support from the Library Friends. |
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>> Watch a performance by local favorites Brandon Washington, Cii La’Cole, and Mike Ingram of New Souls. Go to Facebook videos »
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“Maestro of Musical Mystery” Brendan Slocumb Visits Oct. 12 |
WE ARE THRILLED to host Brendan Slocumb as our next Great Authors at the Library speaker on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 pm. His bestselling books include The Violin Conspiracy, a Good Morning America Book Club selection, and the much-anticipated Symphony of Secrets. Both are book club favorites. This “maestro of musical mystery” (New York Times) is also an accomplished violinist and dedicated music teacher. The New York Times applauded his writing in Symphony of Secrets: “The arc of the story mirrors the sensation of listening to an unfamiliar piece of classical music and thinking ‘This is nice’ as it starts, then suddenly finding yourself rapt, then thrilled, then, by the end of the journey, entirely astonished.”
>> PBS News Hour interview with Brendan Slocumb |
Virtual Visits with Authors, including Colson Whitehead |
IN ADDITION to the Great Authors series, we are excited to announce a new partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a coalition of 209 public libraries. This series offers virtual visits with high-profile authors, including Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead (Sep. 6), horror author Stephen Graham Jones (Oct. 4), and psychotherapist and writer Lori Gottlieb (Dec. 6). Fans of Colson Whitehead will remember his visit here in 2018, when he spoke to a packed house. His talk was unforgettable! |
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Mother Goose on the Loose |
“MOTHER GOOSE” Dana Antonelli visits area daycare centers and preschools every month to share stories and songs and give out books. Since the start of the Mother Goose on the Loose literacy initiative, we have gifted a total of 23,000 books to children from birth to 6 years old in our community! Dana delighted young fans with a hand drum (above) at Next Generation School during a recent visit. Photo by Nena Rohaidzam.
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Pick Up “Bee Creative” Prizes! |
JOIN 3,700 community readers for the all-ages Bee Creative! Summer Reading Challenge (ends Aug. 15). It’s not too late! Prizes include books, rainbow pencils for kids, plus restaurant coupons and a cool tumbler for teens. Adult readers can win grand prize gift baskets (up to $350 value), with a Samsung Galaxy tablet, restaurant gift certificates, and swag from local businesses. Sign up » |
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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes hands-on workshops where you can learn about streaming services, how to find podcasts, Cloud file storage, and getting to know your E-Library, including ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music. Our evening Tech Workshop on August 14 is designed to help you get started with digital file storage. Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help! |
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For anyone already comfortable using a computer, instructor Liza Wynette will be teaching Intro to Digital Drawing: Adobe Illustrator (Aug. 21) as part of our Specialty Tech series featuring creative tools. Sign up to reserve your spot. |
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Job Seekers & Entrepreneurs |
LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! Find out how to make a great first impression and create lasting connections at Networking 101 (Aug. 22), led by Career Librarian Cat Purcell.
Career Workshops »
8/1 · Career & Job Help | Drop-in Hours, 11 am–1 pm
8/22 · Networking 101, 6:30 pm
8/24 · Interview Basics, 7 pm
Business Workshops »
8/3 · Telling Your Story | Insights & Mindful Leadership, 12 pm
8/8 · City of Champaign Equity & Engagement | DPI Information Session, 9 am–12 pm
8/9 · VIRTUAL: Taking Your Brand Offline & Into the Real World, 10 am
8/23 · VIRTUAL: The Art of Visual Storytelling, 2 pm
• Thursdays: Consult with SBDC Director Madeleine Wolske in Launch Business Center, drop in 12–3 pm. |
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FriendShop Bookstore Sales |
DURING AUGUST, educators get 50% off 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. Open Wednesday through Saturday, from 12–3 pm.
Monthly Sales
8/9–12 · Half-Price Sale for Members
8/23–26 · Tag Bag Sale, take home a bag of books for just $1 |
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AT THE DOUGLASS BRANCH, we recently hosted Lesley Deem, director of the University of Illinois Pollinatarium, as part of the Bee Creative! Summer Series. One young participant (above) turned out to be an expert on butterflies—and an avid reader. She enjoyed taking home her beaded butterfly creation and newly potted flowers. |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ADULTS
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Coffee and a Craft: Tissue Paper Letter
Thu., Aug. 10, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
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Friday Night Jam Sessions
Fri., Aug. 25, from 6–8 pm
Fourth Fridays at the Douglass Branch
Sign up to perform »
For adults & teens |
Project READ Tutoring
Drop in Fridays, from 9:30–11:30 am |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
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FOR TEENS
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Teen Lounge
Every day after school starting August 14
3–4:30 pm
LOOKING for something exciting to do after school? Middle and high school students can stop by the library for activities and fun. Meets at Main Library in the Robeson Pavilion. |
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays
@ Douglass Branch |
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Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays, 10 am |
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
11:15 am
• Mon., Aug. 28, at Douglass Branch
• Wed., Aug. 30, at Main Library |
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DID YOU KNOW? New Releases hit the library shelves every week on Tuesday morning. Reserve your copy now 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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