Allerton Public Library eNews - February 2023

In This Newsletter

▪	What's Happening This Month

▪	Looking Forward to March

For more information about events/activities, please visit the calendar on our website.

Winter Reading Awards

Our winter reading challenge continues until February 28th. If you haven't started it yet, come to the library to pick up a paper Book Log or download one from our website!
We have new shelving in the library dedicated to all the award-winning books based on reading level. Lists of award-winning books are also available at the front desk and downloadable on our website.
This challenge is open to all ages! Reading just one book will earn you a prize. Read 5 and receive a $20 gift card to Hartfield Books!

Monthly Take and Makes

Take and Makes will be released on the following schedule:
1st week of the month: Kids
2nd week of the month: Teen
3rd week of the month: Adults
4th week of the month: Taste of Spice

Lap Time, Story Time and Play Time

These programs for babies and toddlers will start the second week of January and run until May!
Lap Time Wednesdays, 9:30-10:00 AM Ages 0-2
Story Time Thursdays, 10:00-10:30 AM Ages 2-5
Play Time Fridays, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM All Ages

After School Art

This after school program is open to all school-age children. We'll explore different mediums of art and create fun projects to take home! Register for After School Art on Eventbrite.

AARP Tax-Aide

AARP will offer their tax support services for free at the library from February through mid-April. Tax services will be available on Thursday afternoons from 5:00-7:00 PM and Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Call the library to schedule your appointment with an AARP tax volunteer. This service will run through mid-April.

Finishing Space: For All Crafters & Hobbyists

Finishing Space takes place on the first Tuesday of each month. Join us on February 7th at 10:00 AM! Finishing Space is a gathering area for people to start something new, finish a craft project, and socialize with other like-minded creatives! Bring your own supplies and projects to Finishing Space.

Local Author Talk with R.A. Simpson

Monticello's local author Roger Simpson will join us on Tuesday, February 7th to discuss how he self-published his novel. There will be a Q & A session as well as a sneak peek at Roger's newest writing.

Illinois Libraries Presents: Saying Yes to Your Story: A Conversation with Kwame Alexander

Illinois Libraries Presents a monthly Zoom conversation with notable authors! This month we'll hear from award-winning author Kwame Alexander about his journey toward publication. Register for this Zoom event here!

Senior Life Solutions

This information session is about the Senior Life Solutions program at Kirby Medical Center. The program is for adults 65 and over who may be facing mental health struggles. If you or your loved one is coping with loss, loneliness, life transitions or other mental health concerns, come to this session to learn more about how Kirby Senior Life Solutions can help you.

Super Saturday: Valentine Cookie Decorating

On Saturday, February 11th at 10:00 AM, we'll be decorating cookies for Valentine's Day in our program room! Families and people of all ages are welcome to attend.

Bingo

Bingo will take place on Monday, February 13th at 2:00 PM.

Adult Movie Matinee

On Tuesday, February 14th we'll screen Marry Me in our program room at 2:00 PM. Snacks will be provided.

Learn Together, Grow Together Nonfiction Book Group

Our book group for nonfiction readers meets February 15th at 6:00 PM. The book of the month is Solito by Javier Zamora. All are welcome to join!

Crafternoon

Crafternoon with Laura will take place on February 16th, and we'll be making a Valentine Wish Jar. Register on Eventbrite for this program here.

PJ Story Time with Sleeping Beauty

Champaign-Urbana Ballet is coming to visit us for a special story time, and Sleeping Beauty will read a book in full costume! Kids are welcome to wear their pajamas to this "sleepy" themed event. After the story, Sleeping Beauty will teach us a few dance steps. This event is open to all ages!

Spring into Fiction Book Group

Our fiction book club will meet on February 22nd at 2:00 PM to discuss Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. All are welcome to join!

Jigsaw Puzzle Competition

Do you enjoy jigsaw puzzles? Put your skills to the test in a competition against others!

Gather a team of up to 4 family members or friends and join in a friendly competition to see who can put together a 500 piece puzzle before others complete theirs! The first to finish will win a prize.

The event will begin at 2pm and will end when the first team finishes their puzzle. If no one finishes by 4pm, the winner will be the team closest to finishing!

Registration is required for the puzzle competition. Teams can have between 2-4 members. There is a limit of 6 teams total. Register your team here.

Tech Time with Megan

This spring we're offering a new instructional program series with our librarian Megan.
Did you know that your Allerton Public Library Card provides you with access to hundreds of thousands of items? Join us to learn how to access those items from the comfort of your own home. For the second session of “Tech time with Megan”, we will explore Hoopla, Libby and Cloud Library. These 3 electronic resources are available to you with your library card. These resources give you access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, television shows, movies and more. If you have access to a Roku, you can also use Hoopla on whatever device you are using with your Roku. All you need is a valid APLD library card and some time to explore. Looking forward to seeing you on February 28th at 10 AM in the program room. Until then, happy reading!

ILP: The Weird and Wonderful World with Mary Roach

Nonfiction author Mary Roach will speak for Illinois Libraries Present in March! Register for this online event here. Before her March 1st conversation, check out her books Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, and Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law.

Local Author Talk with Nick Nichols

In this program, Mr. Nichols will discuss his two published books, Men of Monticello and The Monticello Veterans History Project.

Book Sale

We'll be holding a used book sale from March 30th to April 2nd in our program room. There will be a large selection of juvenile, YA and adult books available! Stay tuned for more information.

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