LIVE MUSIC * FUN GAMES * PETE THE CAT
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Summer Reading Kickoff Party! |
Sun., May 21, from 12–3 pm | YOU’RE INVITED to an all-ages community celebration to kick off the Bee Creative! Summer Reading Challenge (May 15–Aug 15). Enjoy live music on the front porch—including indie rock band, Retro Via (12–1 pm) and Afro D & Global Soundwaves, a hip hop/jazz/funk band (1:45–3 pm). You’ll get to try watercolor painting, play giant Jenga, and take home fun giveaways. Our special guests will be Mother Goose and Pete the Cat! |
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Local bands Afro D & Global Soundwaves (top) and Retro Via (below) will be performing at the kickoff party on May 21. |
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Summer Sessions Outside in the Park for Friday Night Jams |
Fri., May 26, from 6–8 pm | Douglass Branch | ARE YOU A PERFORMING ARTIST? We want to give you the chance to shine. Just bring your talent, materials, and instruments—we’re going to JAM!
We meet fourth Fridays, after hours at the Douglass Branch Library. You’ll have a chance to connect with other performers and try something new. Open to instrumentalists, singers, producers, DJs, and spoken word artists. No required scores, cadences, or lyrics. Starting this month, we will meet outside in Douglass Park when the weather is welcoming.
>> Sign up to perform—or just drop by to listen!
Made possible with support from the Champaign County Community Coalition, Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, and the Champaign County Mental Health Board. |
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Sat., May 6, from 10 am–1 pm
Main Library & Douglass Branch
IT’S A SUPER DAY for free comic books! Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with crafting, a fun photo booth, and a virtual visit with comics writer Stephanie Williams—author of Wakanda and Nubia: Queen of the Amazons. Stop by the Main Library (10 am–1 pm) to make a comic-themed tote or Spider-hero mask, grab a few comics, and stay for a comic industry speaker. We will have a photo booth for your superhero or villain needs, so costumes are encouraged!
>> Watch the live braodcast of our Virtual Visit with Stephanie Williams (10 am)
>> Stop by the Douglass Branch for more free comics and fun crafts! |
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LIKE GARDENING? Stop by two Tuesdays in May at 10 am for coffee, socializing, and a chance to learn something new from gardening aficionados, including the C-U Herb Society (May 2, Herb Lore) and St. Louis–based Marcella Hawley (May 9, Therapeutic Gardening). |
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Sat., May 27, at 11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm | LAUGH OUT LOUD as nationally known family entertainer Chris Fascione brings children’s stories to life with high-spirited energy and humor. Chris creates colorful characters through his winning combination of acting, comedy, mime, juggling, and audience participation. Three show times to choose from! |
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ENJOY WRITING? Hone your skills and connect with other writers at the library. This month local author John Milas will share his expertise on Publishing Fiction in Literary Magazines (May 3). Milas’s debut novel, The Militia House (Henry Holt), will be released this summer. Stop by May 17 at 7 pm for our next Writer’s Lounge. Hope to see you there! |
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Business & Career Workshops, Networking Opportunties |
LOOKING FOR A JOB or launching a business? We can help! Find out tips for effective (and fun!) networking at this month’s Networking 101 workshop (May 2), then stop by to practice and get a backstage tour of the library at Let’s Network | Community Meetup & Library Tour (May 11). This month’s presenters include David Gray, president of McKinley Toastmasters (May 23), and Madeleine Wolske, director of the Small Business Development Center (May 25).
Career Workshops »
5/2 · Career & Job Help | Drop-in Hours, 11 am – 1 pm
5/2 · Networking 101, 6:30 pm
5/11 · Let’s Network! | Community Meetup & Library Tour, 6:30 pm
Business Workshops »
5/2 · Networking 101, 6:30 pm
5/3 · VIRTUAL: How to Respond to Online Reviews, 10 am
5/11 · Let’s Network! | Community Meetup & Library Tour, 6:30 pm
5/23 · The Critical Leadership Skill, 7 pm
5/25 · VIRTUAL: Website Design Basics, 10 am
5/25 · Navigating Entrepreneurship, 12 pm |
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Open Wednesday–Saturday, 12–3 pm
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DURING MAY, save 50% off children’s and teen books at the FriendShop Bookstore (elevator to lower level). Most items are $2 or less—and children’s items are priced at only 50¢. The store is staffed by volunteers, so every purchase directly benefits the library. Now open Wednesday through Saturday, from 12 to 3 pm!
May Sales & Special Sunday Hours
5/7 · Special Sunday Hours, 2–5 pm
5/10–13 · Half-Price Sale for Members
5/21 · Special Sunday Hours, 12–3 pm
5/24–27 · Tag Bag Sale |
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The Studio Expansion Project |
THE LIBRARY is expanding, building an 8,000 sq. ft. space on the lower level, called The Studio. The design includes a makerspace, computer lab, gaming area, and recording studios. This innovative area will be utilized for library programs, including hosting teens after school, and is scheduled for completion this summer. Sketches and project updates » |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR ALL AGES
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Free Comic Book Day!
Sat., May 6, from 10 am–1 pm
*Free comics
*Make & Take superhero-themed crafts
*Costumes are welcome!
@ Main Library & Douglass Branch |
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Opening Reception for “The Art Connection”
Sun., May 7, at 3 pm
Artwork by 40+ students:
• Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
• Centennial High School
• Central High School
FriendShop Bookstore
Lower level, Main Library |
Bingo Blast
Sun., May 14, from 2–4 pm |
Bee Creative! Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Sun., May 21, from 12–3 pm
*Live music
*Make & Take watercolor painting for all ages
*Giant games
*Fun giveaways |
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Coffee and a Craft: Quilled Paper Flower Frame
Thu., May 11, at 2 pm
@ Douglass Branch |
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Money Matter$ | Common Cents for Raising Financially Responsible Children
with Carrie Eisenmenger
Thu., May 18, at 7 pm
Event details » |
Project READ Tutoring
Fridays, May 5, 12, 19, 26
Drop in 9:30–11:30 am
Tutor Training for Project READ
Fri., May 26, at 10 am
Sign up with Project READ » |
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Gale Courses Start Monthly |
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Table Talk Book Club
Tue., May 9, at 6:30 pm
Meet to select books for the next season. |
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Cover-to-Cover Book Club: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Thu., May 11, at 1:30 pm |
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FOR TEENS
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STOP BY after school to enjoy Teen Lounge at the Main Library. Offered every day after school from 3 to 4:30 pm. On early dismissal days (May 1 & 15), Teen Lounge meets from 1 to 4:30 pm. Last meeting on May 25. |
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LEGO Club
Sat., May 13, at 3 pm
For age 4+ |
Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
For school-age kids
5/4 · Star Wars!
5/11 · Greyt Readers
5/18 · Watercolor Art |
DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
@ Douglass Branch
5/3 · Slime Time
5/10 · Tech Toys
5/17 · Geoboard Creations
5/24 · Minute to Win It Games
5/31 · Felt Octopus |
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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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LIBRARY CLOSED
Both locations will be closed on Monday, May 29. Book returns are always open. |
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