Putnam County Public Library District
Branch Locations and Hours

All Libraries


Please view each of our locations’ programs below. Call us or email us with questions or concerns.

Illinois Libraries Presents: Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig

Illinois Libraries Presents: Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig

Tuesday, January 13th 7 P.M.

Jonathan Eig is the bestselling author of six books, including his most recent, Pulitzer Prize-winning King: A Life. Vividly written and exhaustively researched, it is the first major biography in decades of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.―and the first to include recently declassified FBI files. In this revelatory new portrait of the preacher and activist who shook the world, Eig gives us an intimate view of King, who masterfully employed peaceful protest in the streets but was rarely at peace with himself. From the classroom to the pulpit to the streets of Birmingham, Selma, and Memphis, Eig dramatically re-creates the journey of a man who recast American race relations and became our only modern-day founding father―as well as the nation’s most mourned martyr.

Eig began his writing career at age 16, working for his hometown newspaper, The Rockland County Journal News (N.Y.). He studied journalism at Northwestern University, and went on to work as a reporter for The New Orleans Times-Picayune, The Dallas Morning News, Chicago Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.

According to his parents, his greatest claim to fame is that his name once appeared in a Jeopardy! question. Eig lives in Chicago with his wife and children and shares office space with the laundry machines.

Mark Bazer will join Jonathan in conversation. The host of The Interview Show, Bazer also frequently moderates events for Chicago Humanities and is a contributing writer for Chicago magazine.

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.

Library Closed

We will be closed Monday, January 19th for the Holidays.

Hennepin

Cricut Makerspace

Cricut Makerspace

January 6th – 10th

During Library Hours

Come in to learn how to use the Cricut Maker. Crafty Adults welcome! Call ahead to schedule your appointment. Burlap Snowflake Garland

New Year’s Open House

New Year’s Open House

Tuesday, December 30th

All Day

Stop by the library to enter in our raffle. Food and drinks will be provided.

Bingo Party

Bingo Party

Tuesday, December 23rd

1 – 5 P.M.

We will have bingo at the library and be offering prizes to winners. Food and drinks will be provided.

Iced Cookies and Hot Chocolate

Iced Cookies and Hot Chocolate

Friday, December 19th 12 – 5 P.M.

We will have sugar cookies to decorate and hot chocolate available all afternoon.

Silent Book Club

Silent Book Club

Select Thursdays

All Day

Looking for a comfortable space to read in silence we have the space for you! We will provide warm drinks for you.

Elf on the Bookshelf

Elf on the Bookshelf

All Month

Can you find the Elf on our bookshelves? Hidden throughout the library all month long. Find him and get a prize.

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.

Pet Food and Supplies Drive

Pet Food and Supplies Drive

All Month

We will be collecting any pet supplies and donating to a local shelter for pets in our area.

Granville

Illinois Centennial Soil Archive

Illinois Centennial Soil Archive
Tuesday, January 13th, 6:00 p.m.

Ever wonder how our soil has changed over the last 100 years? Discover the incredible story behind the University of Illinois Soil Lab’s Centennial Soil Archive Project. A key piece of Illinois’ agricultural heritage is a world-class, one-of-a-kind soil sample archive collected when local soils were first surveyed. As early as 1899, soil types across the state were mapped by sampling fields to three-foot depth and characterizing the distinct soil layers. Predecessors had the foresight to keep records of sampling locations and to store these soil samples on the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus.

Learn how this historical treasure helps us understand everything from the impact of farming practices to the effects of climate change. Participants will also learn about the resampling efforts going on across the state and how you can get involved. This program is free and open to the public.

Movie Matinee: Horatio’s Drive

Movie Matinee: Horatio’s Drive
Tuesday, January 13th, 1:00 p.m.

In the spring of 1903, Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson accepted a fifty-dollar bet that he could drive across America—something no one had ever accomplished. Setting off from San Francisco in a 20-horsepower Winton touring car, he began a daring and unprecedented journey. With only 150 miles of paved roads in the entire country, no gas stations, and few reliable maps, most people believed the automobile had no future. Yet Jackson’s determination and adventurous spirit would prove them wrong and change history forever.

Horatio’s Drive tells the remarkable story of America’s first transcontinental road trip—a lively adventure filled with flat tires, muddy backroads, unexpected challenges, and the simple joys that define every great journey. Jackson’s optimism and perseverance became as vital as the gasoline powering his car, turning a wild gamble into an unforgettable feat. Both humorous and heartwarming, this documentary celebrates one man’s curiosity, courage, and the early days of America’s love affair with the open road.

The film runs approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes, is rated G, is free and open to the public, and is made possible through Kanopy.

Movie Matinee: Polar Extremes

Movie Matinee: Polar Extremes
Tuesday, January 6th, 1:00 p.m.

Renowned paleontologist Kirk Johnson leads an extraordinary NOVA journey through deep time to uncover the surprising history of Earth’s polar extremes. Tracing clues left behind in unexpected fossils—from beech trees in Antarctica to redwoods and hippo-like mammals in the Arctic—Johnson reveals how these frozen frontiers have dramatically transformed over millions of years.

Polar Extremes transports viewers from towering ice sheets miles thick to warm, subtropical forests that once flourished at the poles, uncovering the sweeping climate shifts that have shaped our planet. Along the way, the film provides powerful context for understanding Earth’s changing climate today—and what it may mean for our future. The film runs approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes, is not rated, free and open to the public, and is made possible through Kanopy.

Enchanted Winter Wood Art Workshop

Enchanted Winter Wood Art Workshop
Tuesday, January 6th, 4:00 p.m.

In this hands-on art workshop, participants will use oil pastels to draw a striking white birch tree, then bring the background to life with vibrant watercolor washes. A sprinkle of salt adds a touch of magic, turning the paint into shimmering “snow crystals” and creating a beautiful winter wonderland scene.

Movie Matinee: James McNeill Whistler: The Case for Beauty

Movie Matinee: James McNeill Whistler: The Case for Beauty (Granville Branch)
Tuesday, December 30th, 1:00 p.m.

James McNeill Whistler was more than an artist—he was a performance in himself. With razor-sharp wit, impeccable style, and a flair for controversy, he turned the art world into his personal stage. Yet behind the bravado stood a true innovator whose fierce commitment to artistic freedom helped usher in modern painting and paved the way for abstraction. Best known for Portrait of the Artist’s Mother, Whistler’s work holds its place alongside masters like Velázquez and Rembrandt. Through vivid dramatizations, striking visuals, and expert commentary, this film delves into the genius and contradictions of a man who transformed conflict into creativity and left a lasting mark on the art world.

The film runs 56 minutes, is rated G, is free and open to the public, and is presented through Kanopy.

Movie Matinee: The First Silent Night

Movie Matinee: The First Silent Night
Tuesday, December 23rd, 1:00 p.m.

The First Silent Night is a heartwarming film that celebrates the enduring legacy of one of the world’s most cherished Christmas carols. For nearly two centuries, “Silent Night” has been sung across the globe—translated into more than 300 languages, performed by renowned artists and orchestras, and treasured on countless holiday recordings. Its gentle melody and message of peace have offered comfort in times of both joy and hardship, uniting people of all ages and backgrounds in the true spirit of Christmas.

Join acclaimed actor Simon Callow as he journeys to the Austrian village of Oberndorf and the historic city of Salzburg, tracing the carol’s humble beginnings and timeless meaning. Through music, history, and heartfelt narration, The First Silent Night reveals how this simple song of hope has illuminated hearts and homes around the world for generations. The film runs approximately 54 minutes, is rated G, and is free and open to the public, made possible through Kanopy.

Gingerbread Lane Workshop 

Gingerbread Lane Workshop (Granville Branch)
Tuesday, December 16th, 4:00 p.m.
Registration Required; limited to 20 participants

Beginning with pre-assembled “gingerbread” houses made from graham crackers and royal icing, families can dive straight into decorating. All materials are provided, along with simple instructions and basic decorating tips to help spark creativity.

Designed especially for children ages five and up (with a parent or guardian), this hands-on workshop encourages imagination, family fun, and festive flair. Participants will take home their own beautifully decorated “gingerbread” house and discover creative ways to add candy trees, snow people, walkways, and even larger additions for more elaborate designs. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required, as space is limited to 20 participants.

Register: https://forms.gle/kCwnEjRzc1DM2Xvx9.

Putnam

Books and Brunch

Books & Brunch
First Saturday of the month during library hours. Food, Books, and Friends.

Movie Matinee: Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America

Movie Matinee: Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America
Thursday, December 18th, 4:00 p.m.

Frederick Law Olmsted helped define landscape architecture as both a profession and an art, partnering early in his career with Calvert Vaux. Widely considered the most influential figure in the field, Olmsted co-designed Central Park, led preservation efforts at Yosemite and Niagara Falls, designed the U.S. Capitol Grounds, planned Boston’s “Emerald Necklace,” and developed park systems across the country. His visionary parkway network in Buffalo—the first integrated system of its kind—is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Believing parks were essential to city life, Olmsted pioneered an early “environmental ethic,” recognizing the importance of public green spaces long before modern conservation movements emerged.

Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America celebrates his lasting legacy through vivid imagery and insightful storytelling, revealing how his designs continue to shape communities and inspire urban planning today. The film runs approximately 57 minutes, is rated G, free and open to the public, and made possible through Kanopy.

Movie Matinee: Agatha Christie’s England

Movie Matinee: Agatha Christie’s England
Thursday, January 8th, 4:00 p.m.

Step into the world of mystery and imagination with Agatha Christie’s England. Born in the seaside town of Torquay, Christie drew endless inspiration from the landscapes, communities, and colorful personalities around her. Over a career spanning more than fifty years, she transformed these influences into some of the most beloved and enduring crime stories ever written.

This charming documentary invites viewers on a literary journey across England, exploring the picturesque settings that shaped Christie’s life and appear throughout her timeless novels. From coastal retreats to quiet village lanes, discover the real-world places where intrigue, wit, and unforgettable characters were born. The film runs approximately 45 minutes, is rated TV-14, is free and open to the public, and is made possible through Kanopy.

Magnolia

Homework Helpers

Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Christmas Movie

Christmas Movie with snacks

Tuesday, December 23rd

During Library Hours

McNabb

Sleepy Bear Craft

Sleepy Bear Craft
Wednesday, January 14th, 4:00 p.m.

Participants will learn about hibernation through Mystery Science, then create their own cozy hibernating bear in this fun, hands-on craft workshop.

Snowflake Wonders Art Workshop

Snowflake Wonders Art Workshop
Wednesday, January 7th, 4:00 p.m.

In this hands-on art workshop, participants will be introduced to Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley — the nature enthusiast who, in 1885, became the first person to photograph a snowflake. Bentley’s groundbreaking images revealed the intricate beauty of snow crystals and confirmed that no two are alike. After watching a short film about his life and discoveries, participants will celebrate his curiosity and creativity by designing their own delicate snowflakes using oil pastels, watercolor, and salt.

Homework Helpers

Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours on Wednesdays.

Standard

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.

Putnam County Public Library District| 815-339-2038 |info@putnamcountylibrary.org