Story Time
2026-04-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)

Project Next Generation
2026-04-09 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-04-23 15:30 - 17:00, 2026-04-30 15:30 - 17:00

Friends of the Library Meeting
2026-04-09 18:00 - 19:00

*PROGRAM CANCELED*Little Ones Story Time
2026-04-10 10:00 - 10:30

Teen Fun Night: Not Yo Average Easter Eggs
2026-04-10 17:00 - 19:00

From New York to the Heartland: The Orphan Train Experience in Illinois
2026-04-11 10:30 - 12:00
The library is partnering with Illinois Humanities to host Illinois Road Scholar, Jamie Poorman, as she discusses “From New York to the Heartland: The Orphan Train Experience in Illinois.”
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a remarkable and heart-wrenching chapter of American history unfolded as thousands of children embarked on a journey from the crowded streets of New York City to new lives in rural communities across the nation. This was the Orphan Train Movement, a unique initiative that left a lasting impact on the children themselves, as well as on the communities that welcomed them. The movement would last for 75 years and impact an estimated 250,000 children.
We will explore the beginnings of this movement, the organizations involved, and the journeys taken by the children. We will then examine Illinois’ unique relationship with this movement. Finally, we will take an in-depth look at the lives of a handful of orphan train riders who arrived in Illinois in 1884 – their pasts, their journey to Illinois, and their lives after their journey west. Audience members will be invited to share stories of orphan train riders in their families if they would like.

Chess Club
2026-04-12 14:00 - 16:00

Crime Lovers Book Club
2026-04-13 18:00 - 19:00

Lawyer in the Library
2026-04-14 14:00 - 16:00
Stop by the library as a local lawyer hosts a session of Lawyer in the Library! This initiative allows for free 20-minute meetings to assist you with legal coaching, document review, referrals to additional community services, and legal questions. Just bring any paperwork that relates to your legal matter. There are no fees or pre-registration, but time slots fill up fast as it is first-come, first-serve.⁠ You may sign up IN PERSON ONE HOUR before the first session begins.

Board Meeting
2026-04-15 17:00 - 18:00

Dungeons & Dragons
2026-04-17 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-01 16:30 - 19:30

Kids Joyful Collage Creations
2026-04-20 15:00 - 16:30

Book Craft for Adults
2026-04-20 18:00 - 19:00

Sips & Stars
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00

Teen Lo-fi Lab
2026-04-22 15:30 - 16:30

Thursday Night Book Discussion
2026-04-23 18:00 - 19:00

Little Ones Story Time
2026-04-24 10:00 - 10:30, 2026-05-01 10:00 - 11:00

Summer Soundcheck on the Library Lawn
2026-04-24 18:00 - 20:00

The Cake Share
2026-04-26 13:30 - 14:00
Beginning at 1:30 PM, drop into the library with a cake — homemade or store bought — to share and then enjoy a taste of cake during Chef Lori Parrett’s cake discussion. *Cake not required to enjoy presentation*

The Frosted Republic – How Illinois Taught America to Celebrate in Cake
2026-04-26 14:00 - 16:00
The library is proudly partnering with Illinois Humanities to host a discussion by Illinois Road Scholar, Lori Parrett. She will be discussing “The Frosted Republic – How Illinois Taught America to Celebrate in Cake.”
Cake is more than dessert; it’s a reflection of who we are and how we celebrate. The Frosted Republic traces Illinois’ surprising role in shaping America’s sweet traditions—from Wilton’s early classrooms in Roseland, to Duncan Hines’ Chicago food guides, to Sara Lee’s Downers Grove bakery that made celebration accessible to every freezer aisle. Together, these stories reveal how Illinois became a quiet engine of cultural joy, teaching the nation to express love, resilience, and creativity through buttercream, boxed mixes, and pound cakes.
Chef Lori Parrett leads audiences through this history as both pastry chef and storyteller, blending archival research, lived experience, and visual demonstration. Using slides, vintage imagery, and a few edible artifacts, she invites participants to see cake decorating as both craft and cultural record—evidence of migration, ingenuity, and the art of making do. Warm, interactive, and grounded in Illinois history, The Frosted Republic reminds audiences that every piped rose and every slice shared tells a story about who we are and how we celebrate together.

Lego Club
2026-04-28 15:30 - 16:30

Family Play Lab
2026-04-28 18:00 - 19:00
