National Library Week
National Library Week
April 19th – 25th
All Libraries
Please view each of our locations’ programs below. Call us or email us with questions or concerns.
Illinois Libraries Presents: Voice, Culture, and Human Connection
Illinois Libraries Presents: Voice, Culture, and Human Connection
Thursday, April 16th
7:00 P.M.
https://bit.ly/ILPCristinaHenríquez
Join critically acclaimed, bestselling author, Cristina Henríquez, for a compelling conversation about her work. Henríquez’s newest book, The Great Divide, is a moving exploration of the people who lived, loved, and labored during the construction of the Panama Canal. Named a New York Times’ Editors’ Choice selection and TIME Magazine “100 Must-Read Books of 2024,” The Great Divide explores history and adversity in a place very special to her – her father’s homeland of Panama.
Henríquez has also authored The Book of Unknown Americans, The World in Half, and Come Together, Fall Apart, all to significant acclaim. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Best American Short Stories 2018, and she is a recipient of the 21st Century Award given by The Chicago Public Library Foundation. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Iowa Writer’s Workshop, and lives in the Chicago suburbs with her family. Carmen Álvarez will join Henríquez as moderator. Álvarez is an advocate for libraries and Latinx representation in the publishing industry. Her work has appeared in Glamour, Elle, and Vogue and she has a social media presence surpassing 180k followers across platforms.
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
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
Spring Book Sale
Spring Book Sale
Thursday, April 23rd – 25th
We will have our doors open for our annual spring book sale. Items on tables only are for sale. Donations accepted.
Owen Lovejoy Tour
Owen Lovejoy Tour
Saturday, April 18th
10:00 A.M.
Take a tour of the Owen Lovejoy Museum in Princeton, IL. Please call the Hennepin Library Headquarters 815-339-2038 ext 1 ahead of time to be included in the tour. There is a $5 fee for taking the tour.
National Cheeseball Day!
National Cheeseball Day!
Friday, April 17th
Stop by the library for National Cheeseball day!
Guided VR Experiences
Guided VR Experiences
Starting March 26th – April 17th
Patrons can come in during library hours and explore Virtual Reality Experiences with our new devices: Meta and Merge VR.
The Journey Back: Mobile Virtual Reality Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
The Journey Back: Mobile Virtual Reality Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Public Viewing Monday April 20th – Saturday, May 2nd
During Library Hours
Returning for a second year! Discover the power of virtual reality to enhance Holocaust education through 360-degree immersive technology. “Walk” with Holocaust Survivors through childhood hometowns and concentration camps as they share their stories of survival, creating an unforgettable experience. 5 films will be featured.
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.
Granville
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.
Hidden History of the First Ladies
Hidden History of the First Ladies
Tuesday, May 5th, 6:00 p.m.
Discover the pivotal contributions of the women who shaped and led the nation from the heart of Washington, D.C. This presentation highlights the remarkable, often untold stories of America’s first ladies, from Martha Washington to Helen Taft, whose unpaid and undefined role nonetheless left a lasting mark on the country. The program explores sites around the White House, the iconic Willard Hotel, and historic residences connected to figures such as Dolley Madison and Jacqueline Kennedy, sharing memorable anecdotes and powerful stories of resilience, influence, and leadership that bring these women, and their legacy, vividly to life.
The program will be presented in hybrid format, with in-person and virtual options. To attend virtually, register at: https://shorturl.at/mveXI. The program is free and open to the public.
Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Grocery List Show
Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Grocery List Show
Tuesday, May 5th, 1:00 p.m.
The Grocery List Show explores international grocery stores and the immigrant communities they serve across the U.S., hosted by former Top Chef contender Chrissy Camba. Across five episodes set in Chicago, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, the series blends neighborhood history, cultural storytelling, and cooking as Chrissy and her guests shop local markets, meet store owners, and prepare meals together, celebrating global food traditions as a powerful way to connect, learn, and understand one another.
The film is 60 minutes, not rated, and is made possible through Independent Lens. The program is free and open to the public.
May Day Paper flowers Make and Take
Friday 1-May Day Paper flowers Make and Take
Docs & Dialogue: Fire in the Heartland: The Kent State Story
Docs & Dialogue: Fire in the Heartland: The Kent State Story Tuesday, April 28th, 1:00 p.m.
This documentary examines the events leading up to the May 4th, 1970, shooting of unarmed students by the Ohio National Guard at Kent State University, which left four students dead and thirteen wounded. Told through firsthand accounts, the film places the tragedy within the broader civil rights and anti– Vietnam War movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
The shootings sparked the largest student strike in U.S. history, spreading to more than 3,000 campuses nationwide. Just ten days later, police killed two students at Jackson State College in Mississippi, an event that received far less national attention. The film traces how years of organized activism, racial injustice, opposition to the Vietnam War, and inflammatory political rhetoric created the conditions for these acts of state violence.
Featuring more than twenty personal testimonies, Fire in the Heartland offers an intimate look at a pivotal moment in American history and provides critical context as campus protests and state responses once again shape national conversations. The film is 56 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
Saturday, April 25th, 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.
Stories Without Barriers: Free Audiobooks Through NLS
Stories Without Barriers: Free Audiobooks Through NLS
Tuesday, April 21st, 6:00 p.m.
Representatives from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) will present an informational program highlighting free, accessible audiobook services available to eligible individuals. The program is designed for those who experience temporary or permanent visual or physical challenges that make reading standard print difficult, as well as for caregivers, family members, and service providers. Participants will learn how eligible patrons can receive free access to audiobooks, a simple, easy-to-use audiobook player, and audiobook materials provided at no cost through NLS.
This program is free and open to the public and is in celebration of National Library Week.
Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Librarians
Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Librarians
Tuesday, April 21st, 1:00 p.m.
Presented through Independent Lens as part of the Indie Lens Pop-Up series, The Librarians explores the growing national debate over intellectual freedom and the role of public libraries in American democracy. When Texas lawmakers begin reviewing lists of challenged books, librarians find themselves on the front lines of an intensifying cultural conflict. The film examines mounting pressure on libraries, particularly around materials addressing race and LGBTQIA+ themes, while placing today’s controversies in historical context. The 84-minute screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion with representatives from the Humankind Initiative in Ottawa. The discussion, expected to last approximately 30 minutes, will offer attendees an opportunity to reflect on the film’s themes and engage in thoughtful dialogue about education, public institutions, and the freedom to read.
This program will be offered both in person and virtually. Those planning to attend virtually are encouraged to register in advance at: https://shorturl.at/XDBc6. The program is free and open to the public and is in celebration of National Library Week.
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.
Docs & Dialogues: Free for All: The Public Library
Docs & Dialogues: Free for All: The Public Library
Thursday, April 23rd, 4:00 p.m.
Free for All: The Public Library tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today’s librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free, and the doors are open to all. The film is 1 hour and 25 minutes, not rated. The program is free and open to the public and is in celebration of National Library Week.
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.
Citizen Science Month @ the Library
Citizen Science Month @ the Library
April 1st to April 30th
April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.
Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.
Docs & Dialogue: Will’s Book: Shakespeare’s First Folio
Docs & Dialogue: Will’s Book: Shakespeare’s First Folio
Thursday, April 16th, 4:00 p.m.
This fascinating film tells the story of one of the greatest rescues in cultural history. In 1623, two former colleagues of William Shakespeare—John Heminges and Henry Condell—undertook the extraordinary task of preserving their friend’s work by collecting his plays into a single volume known as the First Folio.
The First Folio preserved 18 plays that had never been printed before, including Macbeth, Twelfth Night, and The Tempest. It was also the first book to organize Shakespeare’s plays by genre and includes an engraved portrait believed to be one of the most authentic likenesses of the playwright. Presented by Shakespearean scholar Emma Smith, the film explores Heminges’ and Condell’s fear that Shakespeare’s words might fade after his death. Featuring performances by Mark Rylance, Stephen Fry, Roger Allam, and others, the documentary brings to life the enduring legacy of Shakespeare’s work and the remarkable effort that saved it. The film is 58 minutes, rated PG, and is made possible through Hoopla.
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.
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
Docs & Dialogue: Banned Together
Docs & Dialogue: Banned Together
Wednesday, April 22nd, 5:00 p.m.
Banned Together is a powerful documentary that follows three teenagers fighting to reinstate 97 books removed from their school libraries. What begins as a local challenge quickly grows into a national
movement, as the students confront book bans, curriculum censorship, and the forces shaping public education today.
Featuring banned authors, First Amendment advocates, legal scholars, and elected officials, the film offers an urgent look at who decides what young people are allowed to read, and why it matters. The film is 1 hour and 32 minutes, not rated, and is made possible through Kanopy. The program is free and open to the public and is in celebration of National Library Week.
Citizen Science Month @ the Library
Citizen Science Month @ the Library
April 1st to April 30th
April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.
Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.
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.
Standard
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.