All Libraries
Please view each of our locations’ programs below. Call us or email us with questions or concerns.
Illinois Libraries Presents: Babel-On with R.F. Kuang
Illinois Libraries Presents: Babel-On with R.F. Kuang
Wednesday, May 20th
7:00 P.M.
https://bit.ly/ILPKuang
R.F. Kuang’s genre-bending fiction broaches ordinarily serious topics from a satirical and fantastical perspective. Academic yet approachable, Kuang’s work combines history, magic, and classical literary tradition to render powerful critiques of academia, the publishing industry, and even contemporary popular culture.
Her most recent novel, Katabasis, follows two graduate students as they descend into hell after the death of their professor, and the screen rights options to the novel were sold to Amazon MGM Studios for an upcoming TV series before its publication. Kuang’s other bestselling titles include Yellowface, Babel, and The Poppy War trilogy, and she is the recipient of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fiction, and the American Book Award.
Kelly Jensen, an anti-censorship advocate, a senior editor at Book Riot, and writer who has compiled such anthologies as Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World and (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, will be joining Kuang in conversation.
National Library Week
National Library Week
April 19th – 25th
Illinois Valley Road Trip!
Illinois Valley Road Trip!
All April
Area –Wide Libraries in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties will be participating once more. Travel to see the libraries in the region. In honor of America 250 there will be a side quest. Prizes will be given out to patrons who participate in this event. Stay tuned for more information.
Holidays
Holidays
We will be closed Wednesday, December 24th through Friday, December 26th for the Holidays
We will be closed Wednesday, December 31st through Friday, January 2nd for the Holidays.
Hennepin
Reddick Mansion
Reddick Mansion
Saturday, May 16th
11:00 A.M.
Take a tour of the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa, IL. The Reddick Mansion has stood on the corner of Lafayette and Columbus Streets since 1858. It has served as a family home, “witnessed” history being made at the first Lincoln-Douglas Debate, became Ottawa’s public library, and is now a historic site and community center. Located at 100 West Lafayette Street, Ottawa, IL
• Students $10 (Grades 1-12)
• Adults $15
• Children 5 and under no charge
Please call to sign up at Hennepin Library Headquarters 815-339-2038 ext 1
Canning with Confidence UoI Ext.
Canning with Confidence
May 8, 2026 1:00 – 1:45 PM
Canning season is just around the corner. Join Susan Glassman, MS Ed, CHES, Food and Nutrition Educator, for Canning with Confidence, an informative and engaging session on safe home food preservation from University of Illinois Extension.
Whether you are new to canning or have years of experience, this program offers a close-up look at canners and the essential equipment needed for safe food preservation. Participants will learn proper techniques for preserving both low-acid and high-acid foods using water bath and pressure canning methods. Susan will help you build confidence and skill by sharing reliable, research-based resources to guide you toward safe and successful home canning.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/2589132063?pwd=eVB3SWlNVnpQVzAydWU0R2hEdkU5dz09&omn=81988213321
Meeting ID: 258 913 2063
Password: Extension
Cricut Makerspace
Cricut Makerspace
May 5th – 8th
During Library Hours
Come in to learn how to use the Cricut Maker. Crafty Adults welcome! Call ahead to schedule your appointment. Painted Doormats
Holiday Family Photos
Holiday Family Photos
All Week (Pets Welcome)
Monday, December 1st – 6th
Stop by to get photos taken with our holiday backdrop. Pets are welcome to attend.
Cricut Makerspace
Cricut Makerspace
September 8th – 12th
During Library Hours
Come in to learn how to use the Cricut Maker. Crafty Adults welcome! Call ahead to schedule your appointment. Etch Glass. Bring your own glass item.
Putnam County Book Club
Putnam County Book Club
We meet 3rd Wednesday every month either at Hennepin or Granville Library at 6:30 P.M. Come join us and share your ideas. We choose books together and look forward to completing our list for the next year. Looking forward to sharing our enthusiasm for books. Follow us on Facebook.
Homework Helper
Homework Helper
Anytime during Library Hours
Starting in Hennepin this Spring. Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours.
Granville
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Adults
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Adults (Granville Branch)
Tuesday, May 26th, 5:00 p.m.
Adults ages 19 and older are invited to join a hybrid community book club that brings readers together to explore the American Revolution through shared reading, short film clips, and conversation. Each month, participants will view a preview from the PBS documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, along with additional short videos connected to the featured book, followed by an informal group discussion.
The featured title for this session is “A Girl Called Samson,” by Amy Harmon, which tells the story of Deborah Samson, a young woman who defies convention to claim independence and purpose during the American Revolutionary War. Born into hardship, Deborah disguises herself as a man to enlist in the Continental Army, confronting the realities of war while guarding a dangerous secret, and discovering an unexpected love along the way.
The program runs approximately 45–60 minutes and is free and open to the public. Virtual registration is available at: https://shorturl.at/0aaJI. Copies of the book are available at the Granville Branch.
Docs & Dialogue: Joseph Pulitzer – Voice of the People
Docs & Dialogue: Joseph Pulitzer – Voice of the People (Granville Branch)
Tuesday, May 26th, 1:00 p.m.
This documentary explores the remarkable life of Joseph Pulitzer, the Jewish immigrant from Hungary whose name became synonymous with journalistic excellence. Rising from reporter to powerful publisher, Pulitzer was known for his outspoken editorial voice and for newspapers defined by bold visuals, national reach, and financial success.
Set during America’s rapid expansion in the Gilded Age, the film portrays Pulitzer as the nation’s first media titan and a fierce champion of a free press. His 1911 Supreme Court victory, after being sued for criminal libel by President Theodore Roosevelt during the Panama Canal corruption investigation, helped establish lasting First Amendment protections that continue to resonate today. Narrated by Adam Driver, the documentary blends archival footage, reenactments, and expert interviews, with Liev Schreiber as Pulitzer, Tim Blake Nelson as Roosevelt, and Rachel Brosnahan as investigative journalist Nellie Bly.
The film is 1 hour and 25 minutes, not rated and made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Her Story, Our Nation: America250 Women’s Sites in Washington, DC
Her Story, Our Nation: America250 Women’s Sites in Washington, DC (Granville Branch) Tuesday, May 19th, 6:00 p.m.
Women’s history is everywhere in Washington, DC, if curious locals and adventurous visitors know where to look. As the District evolved from a city created to house the federal government into one of the world’s most visited destinations, women emerged as pioneers, shaping a capital rich in feminist culture. Historic houses, hidden alleyways, and neighborhood parks stand as quiet memorials to America’s founding mothers who helped build the nation’s capital. Representatives from A Tour of Her Own, a Washington-based touring company, will guide audiences through key America250-related sites connected to the nation’s founding, highlighting both the women whose stories are marked and those whose legacies remain hidden in plain sight.
The program will be presented in hybrid format, with in-person and virtual options. To attend virtually, register at: https://shorturl.at/dvpLV. The program is free and open to the public.
Docs & Dialogue: Memorial Day Massacre: Workers Die, Film Buried
Docs & Dialogue: Memorial Day Massacre: Workers Die, Film Buried (Granville Branch) Tuesday, May 19th, 1:00 p.m.
The documentary explores a shameful and largely forgotten chapter in American labor and media history, one whose relevance has only grown as union organizing regains momentum after decades of union busting and the decline of American manufacturing.
By reckoning honestly with the 1937 Chicago tragedy, when police killed striking workers and the truth was deliberately obscured, the film illuminates enduring patterns of power: how corporations, the press, and law enforcement can align to suppress worker demands. Nearly a century later, the lessons of the Memorial Day Massacre remain urgent, offering insight into the forces that continue to shape labor struggles in the United States today. The film is 33 minutes, not rated, and made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Tales with Tails – Read to Hobo
Tales with Tails – Read to Hobo (Granville Branch)
Saturday, May 16th, 10:00 a.m.
Participants are invited to bring a favorite book from home, or select one from the library’s collection, and read aloud to Hobo. This relaxed, supportive experience helps build reading skills and confidence while making reading fun. The program is free and open to the public.
Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine
Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine (Granville Branch)
Tuesday, May 12th, 6:00 p.m.
An engaging illustrated lecture, this program explores how a diverse nation came to share a common culinary language. Through forgotten recipes and vivid storytelling, culinary historian Sarah Lohman reveals how eight influential ingredients quietly transformed the way Americans cook and eat. Blending cultural history with original research, Lohman traces each flavor from its earliest appearance in American kitchens to its impact today, introducing memorable figures and moments along the way.
Sarah Lohman is the author of the bestselling books Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine and Endangered Eating: America’s Vanishing Foods. A nationally recognized culinary historian, she uses food history to tell the stories of diverse Americans. Her work has been featured by major national outlets, and she has lectured widely at institutions including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and culinary history organizations across the country.
This program will be presented in hybrid format, with in-person and virtual options available. To attend virtually, register at: https://shorturl.at/bmVeK. The program is free and open to the public.
Docs & Dialogue: Statue of Liberty
Docs & Dialogue: Statue of Liberty
Tuesday, May 12th, 1:00 p.m.
For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has stood as a powerful symbol of hope and refuge for generations of immigrants. In this lyrical, compelling, and provocative portrait of the monument, Ken Burns explores both the history of America’s most enduring symbol and the deeper meaning of liberty itself. Through rare archival photographs, paintings, and drawings, along with readings from contemporary diaries, letters, and newspapers, the film tells the fascinating story of a monument admired around the world.
Drawing on interviews with Americans from all walks of life, including former New York governor Mario Cuomo, the late congresswoman Barbara Jordan, and the late writers James Baldwin and Jerzy Kosinski, The Statue of Liberty examines the nature of freedom and the monument’s enduring significance in American life. The film is 60 minutes, not rated, and made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Tai Chi for Arthritis will be offered on the following dates:
Mondays: April 27 – June 22, (No class on May 25)
Wednesdays: April 29 – June 24, (No class on June 3)
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
If you plan to attend, please register at:
https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/join-the-movement-tai-chi-for-arthritis-and-fall-prevention-1
The class is open to the first 10 registrants.
Putnam
Books and Brunch
Books & Brunch
First Saturday of the month during library hours. Food, Books, and Friends.
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together is a community book club that explores the American Revolution through shared reading, discussion, and film. The adult group, open to participants ages nineteen and older, will meet on Tuesday, February 24th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Granville Branch, with a virtual option available via Zoom.
This month’s selection is “Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America,” by Steven Waldman. In Founding Faith, Waldman debunks myths from both the left and the right about America’s religious origins, revealing how the Founders crafted a new model of liberty that protected faith by keeping government out of it. Through vivid accounts from the colonies to the early presidencies, he shows how this delicate balance between belief and freedom shaped the nation.
Before the discussion, participants will watch a 26-minute preview from the upcoming 2025 PBS documentary “American Revolution,” by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. The preview explores religion and religious diversity in the 18th century, offering insight into how faith helped shape the nation’s early history.
Copies of the book will be available at the Granville Branch beginning in January. For more information, please contact the Library at 815-339-2038. To participate via Zoom, please register via Zoom: https://shorturl.at/L6uCA.
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation, and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Youth
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Youth
Thursday, March 26th, 5:00 p.m.
Youth, ages 8 through 14, are invited to a hybrid community book club that brings readers together to explore the American Revolution through shared reading, conversation, and film. Each month, participants will watch a preview from the PBS documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, along with additional short videos connected to the featured book, before taking part in an informal discussion.
The featured titles for this session are “Ben’s Revolution: Benjamin Russell and the Battle of Bunker Hill,” by Nathaniel Philbrick and “Forge,” by Laurie Halse Anderson. Ben’s Revolution brings the opening days of the American Revolution to life through the eyes of a young boy caught up in the Battle of Bunker Hill, while Forge follows a teenage soldier enduring the brutal winter at Valley Forge and the personal cost of fighting for independence.
The program runs approximately 45–60 minutes and is free and open to the public. To register virtually, please visit: https://shorturl.at/u8coq. Copies of the book are available at the Condit Branch.
Docs & Dialogue: I am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
Docs & Dialogue: I am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (Condit Branch)
Thursday, May 7th, 4:00 p.m.
For more than 45 years, Caroll Spinney delighted generations of children as the performer behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street, and even at age 80, his passion for the work never faded. I Am Big Bird is a warm, intimate portrait of the man inside the iconic yellow suit, featuring rare footage from his early collaborations with Jim Henson and tracing Spinney’s journey from a bullied childhood to cultural icon. As the feathers give way to gray hair, it is the heart and humanity of the man, not the puppet—that leave a lasting impression. The film is 1 hour and 30 minutes, not rated, and made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Docs & Dialogue: Family Recipe – Jewish American Style
Docs & Dialogue: Family Recipe – Jewish American Style (Condit Branch)
Thursday, May 14th, 4:00 p.m.
Brisket! Blintzes! Bagels! Jewish cooks have been adding flavor to the American melting pot since their arrival—but Jewish food is far more than delis and diners. Family Recipe: Jewish American Style invites audiences on a rich historical, genealogical, and culinary journey through the Jewish diaspora and into homes across America. From Iraqi kubbeh to Ethiopian lentils to European kreplach, this program shares
the deeply personal stories and traditions that come together at the Jewish table. The film is 54 minutes, rated G, and is made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Bunco Club
Bunco Club
Wednesday, May 20th
10:00 A.M.
Join Bunco Club at the library third Wednesday every month.
Docs & Dialogue: The Brooklyn Bridge
Docs & Dialogue: The Brooklyn Bridge (Condit Branch)
Thursday, May 21st, 4:00 p.m.
The “Great East River Bridge” was the largest bridge of its era, a technical accomplishment of unparalleled scope, marked by enormous construction problems, equally ingenious solutions and heroic
human achievement. In unexpected and wonderful ways, the Brooklyn Bridge captured the imagination of all Americans, and in the process became a symbol in American culture of strength, vitality, ingenuity and promise. Director, Ken Burns, captures the physical majesty of this greatest of all achievements of the industrial age, the dramatic story of the larger-than-life men who imagined and built it, and the immense charm this granite and steel structure has exerted on generations of city dwellers. The program is 58 minutes, rated G, and is made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Youth
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Youth (Condit Branch)
Thursday, May 28th, 5:00 p.m.
Youth ages 8–14 are invited to join a hybrid community book club exploring the American Revolution through shared reading, conversation, and film. Each month, participants will watch a preview from the PBS documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, along with short videos connected to the featured books, followed by an informal discussion.
The featured title for this session is “The Fighting Ground,” by Avi. Thirteen-year-old Jonathan is determined to fight for independence, even when his wounded father forbids him from joining. When he secretly enlists with a local militia, Jonathan believes he is ready for battle, but over the course of a single day, he confronts the harsh and unexpected realities of war, experiences that will change him forever.
The program runs approximately 45–60 minutes and is free and open to the public. To register virtually, please visit: https://shorturl.at/bXyd4. Copies of the book are available at the Condit Branch.
Magnolia
Homework Helpers
Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Make your own Christmas card(s)
Make your own Christmas card(s)
Tuesday, December 9th
During Library Hours
McNabb
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Teens
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together – Teens (McNabb Branch)
Wednesday, May 27th, 5:00 p.m.
Teens ages 13–19 are invited to participate in a hybrid community book club exploring the American Revolution through shared reading, conversation, and film. Each month, participants will watch a preview from the PBS documentary The American Revolution by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, along with short companion videos connected to the featured book, followed by an informal, guided discussion.
The featured title for this session is “Sophia’s War: A Tale of the Revolution,” by Avi. In this gripping historical adventure, Sophia Calderwood witnesses the execution of Nathan Hale in British-occupied New York and is soon recruited as a spy for the American cause. Disguised as a maid in the household of General Clinton, Sophia uncovers a dangerous plot that threatens the American army. When no one believes her, she must act alone, risking everything to stop the betrayal before time runs out. Rich in suspense and historical detail, the novel reveals just how personal politics can be.
The program runs approximately 45–60 minutes and is free and open to the public. To register virtually, please visit: https://shorturl.at/MH55v. Copies of the book are available at the McNabb Branch.
Docs & Dialogue: Mr. Polaroid
Docs & Dialogue: Mr. Polaroid (McNabb Branch)
Wednesday, May 13th, 5:00 p.m.
Long before the iPhone, another inventive device made it possible to instantly chronicle everyday life: the Polaroid camera. Both the product and the company’s distinctive culture sparked an instant-photography craze and helped shape the model for today’s Silicon Valley tech ethos. The story begins in the fall of 1948 with the debut of the Polaroid Model 95, whose revolutionary ability to deliver a photograph on the spot would transform photography, and eventually the world.
Mr. Polaroid tells the little-known story of the visionary behind the camera, Edwin Land, a Harvard dropout who, decades before the smartphone, imagined “a camera that you would use as often as your pencil or your eyeglasses.” Convinced his company could lead, and even save, the world, Land fueled a saga defined by ambition, brilliance, hubris, and technology, culminating in a billion photographs a year and a rollicking chapter in American innovation. The film is 53 minutes, not rated, and made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public.
Splash of Color: Watercolor Workshop
Join us for a fun, hands-on art activity where participants will create unique Valentine’s Day–themed artwork using watercolors and the wax-resist technique. No experience is necessary — just bring your creativity and enjoy experimenting with color and texture to make a heartfelt masterpiece. This program is free and open to the public, and all supplies will be provided.
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together
Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together is a community book club that explores the American Revolution through shared reading, discussion, and film. The adult group, open to participants ages nineteen and older, will meet on Tuesday, February 24th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Granville Branch, with a virtual option available via Zoom.
This month’s selection is “Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America,” by Steven Waldman. In Founding Faith, Waldman debunks myths from both the left and the right about America’s religious origins, revealing how the Founders crafted a new model of liberty that protected faith by keeping government out of it. Through vivid accounts from the colonies to the early presidencies, he shows how this delicate balance between belief and freedom shaped the nation.
Before the discussion, participants will watch a 26-minute preview from the upcoming 2025 PBS documentary “American Revolution,” by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. The preview explores religion and religious diversity in the 18th century, offering insight into how faith helped shape the nation’s early history.
Copies of the book will be available at the Granville Branch beginning in January. For more information, please contact the Library at 815-339-2038. To participate via Zoom, please register via Zoom: https://shorturl.at/L6uCA.
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation, and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Homework Helpers
Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours on Wednesdays.
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Luck, Laughter, and a Dash of Leprechaun Magic
Luck, Laughter, and a Dash of Leprechaun Magic
Thursday, March 12th
12:30 P.M.
Bring unforgettable charm to your St. Patrick’s Day season with historical presenter, Michelle Gibbons’ whimsical portrayal of a lively female leprechaun, complete with laughter, lore, and a dash of mischief. Her engaging program blends the true history of St. Patrick’s Day with fascinating tales of leprechaun origins, plus hilarious stories from her life as a leprechaun and the chaos that ensues when everyone tries to catch her before she disappears with the pot of gold.
From Royalty to Reality: Princess Diana’s Journey to Empathy
From Royalty to Reality: Princess Diana’s Journey to Empathy
Tuesday, November 18th @ 12:30 P.M.
Even decades after her passing, Lady Diana Spencer, the People’s Princess, remains an icon of grace, compassion, and timeless elegance. From her enchanting royal wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, witnessed by over 750 million people worldwide, to her philanthropic endeavors and unwavering dedication to her family, Diana captivated hearts across the globe.
Step into the captivating world of royalty with historical presenter, Michelle Gibbons, as she brings the indomitable spirit of Princess Diana to life. Through Michelle’s portrayal, audiences will delve in Diana’s remarkable journey-from her noble charity work and royal duties under the watchful eye of Queen Elizabeth II, to her profound love for her children and the enduring legacy she left behind.
Join us as we pay tribute to the extraordinary life and timeless legacy of the People’s Princess, Princess Diana of Wales.