Programs for All-Ages
We try to offer monthly programs for everyone in the community!
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Ongoing programs:
Community PuzzleStop by the library's Book Sale Room all month long to work on this month's Community Puzzle! Put together a few pieces or 100. Work together with your family or work on it solo. It's your choice! New puzzles each month! Book Sale Room 
Face Painting by Miss AngelaStop by and see Miss Angela at the EHS home football games for free face painting sponsored by EPLD! @ EHS Home Football Games |
Special programs:
September is Library Card Sign-Up MonthGet in Your Element this September—sign up for a library card! From borrowing books, ebooks, and museum passes to getting homework help, learning new skills, or attending story time, a library card helps you do more of what you enjoy. Get a library card and dive into a new hobby. Use your library card to tinker in a maker space and spark your creativity. A library card is your most important school supply—it's elemental, really—and everyone should have one Learn more on our Library Card Sign-Up Month page! Friday, September 1 - Saturday, September 30 
Library Card Sign-Up Month Reading ChallengeJoin in the fun with our NEW Library Card Sign-Up Month Reading Challenge! Read 20 days during the month of September to be eligible for the prize drawing! Sign up starting Monday, August 28 in the READsquared app or register at the adult circulation desk and use paper log that you’ll turn in at the end of the month. Learn more on our Library Card Sign-Up Month page! Friday, September 1 - Saturday, September 30 READsquared 
Car Seat Safety CheckGet your car seat inspected and talk to Eureka Police without distractions. And don't forget to visit Miss Angela's activity station! Saturday, September 23 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM @ Sam Leman 
Family Movie MatineeWatch Elemental at the library for Library Card Sign-Up Month! Patrons are welcome to bring your own snacks as well! Please note that grown-ups must stay with kids for the duration of the movie. Wednesday, September 27 | 1:00 PM Program Room 
Book Challenges on the Rise: Support Your Freedom to Read“Freedom to Read” is a fundamental American right: your right to choose the ideas, information, and cultural experiences that are right for you and your family. That right is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. And your public library supports that right by providing free and open access to all. Book bans infringe on that right. When people demand that libraries remove books, they deny you and others the right to choose. Those demands are happening at an unprecedented rate. The American Library Association (ALA) reports more book challenges in 2022 than any previous year. This Banned Books Week webinar, moderated by syndicated columnist Heidi Stevens, will share how to effectively support intellectual freedom. We will examine the current state of book challenges, Illinois’ legislative response, and the implications of censorship on communities with this panel of experts:
This presentation is co-hosted by multiple Illinois libraries. Register online: http://bit.ly/IllinoisF2R Monday, October 2 | 7:00 PM Zoom 
Food, Family, and Folktales:
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Programs for Kids
Story times and other fun programs are held each month throughout the year.
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Ongoing Programs:
1000 Books Before KindergartenJoin our fun and easy reading program! We invite you to participate in our free reading program which encourages you to read 1,000 books with your child before kindergarten! We have prizes too! Find more info on our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten page! Free program open to any child that has not yet started Kindergarten. Registration required! 
Wow, It's Wednesday!Wow, It's Wednesday crafts are back! Stop by the library each week to get your take and make kit! View the tutorial video at 2:00 pm on Facebook and Instagram! Wednesdays | 2:00 PM Free program. 
Storytime at the LibraryA fun time to learn and listen! All ages welcome! Stay for playtime afterward! Tuesdays | 10:00 - 10:30 AM Outdoor Pavilion* *weather permitting 
Toddler TimeWe use this time to focus on early literacy practices. We talk, sing, read, listen, dance and practice sharing. Stay and play if your schedule allows. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 10:00 - 10:30 AM Ages 0 - 24 months. Children's Library 
Second Saturday LEGO Pop-UpThe LEGO tables will be set up for building and creating! 2nd Saturdays | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Children's Library 
Toddler Play TimePlay time is valuable for many reasons! It is one way children can learn language and literacy skills. They learn about language through play time as the activities help them put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing and making. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 10:00 - 11:00 AM Ages 0 - 24 months. Children's Library |
Special Programs:
DIY Art TablesWe will have tables with art supplies set-up. Stop by and get creative! Wednesday, September 27 - Saturday, September 30 | All day! Children's Library 
Pumpkin StorytimeMiss Angela will have storytime with pumpkin stories and a pumpkin craft. All ages welcome! Friday, September 29 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM Children's Library 
Reading BuddiesJoin our 6-week after school reading program for K-4th grade! Sign up in the children's library. Tuesdays - Thursdays, starting October 3 | 3:30 - 4:00 PM Children's Library 
Fun Friday StorytimeJoin Miss Angela for a special Fun Friday Storytime at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka! Kids of all ages welcome! Friday, October 6 | 10:00 - 10:30 AM @ AC Home of Eureka 
DIY Art TablesWe will have tables with art supplies set-up. Stop by and get creative! Wednesday, October 25 | All day! Children's Library 
Dress-Up StorytimeMiss Angela will be hosting a special Dress-Up Storytime at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. Kids of all ages welcome and costumes encouraged! Friday, October 27 | 10:00 - 10:30 AM @ AC Home of Eureka |
Programs for Teens
The library offers several monthly and annual programs for middle-school and high-school aged youth.
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Ongoing Programs:
Teen Book ClubDrop in to discuss new books and share what you've been reading. Donuts provided! Monday, September 25 | 7:30 AM @ Eureka High School 
Library VolunteersHelp Miss Angela make crafts, work on projects, and other library work. Stop by anytime between 5:00 - 7:00 PM to volunteer. Sign up in the children's library! 4th Mondays | 5:00 - 7:00 PM Ages 10+. Children's Library |
Special Programs:
Find the Librarian Bitmoji!Starting in October, High School students are invited to Find the Librarian Bitmoji holding a book on the YA bookshelves! Winners will receive a gift card to Huck's, Casey's, Michael's, or Faire Coffee. All October long! Grades 9 - 12. YA Book Area 
Manga MondayManga Monday is a new program for High School students! It's a night to talk about your favorite manga, find manga at the library, make origami, and eat Japanese candy. Monday, October 16 | 7:00 PM Grades 9 - 12. Children's Library 
MS Art: Watercolor LandscapesLocal artist Jen Johnson will be teaching a series of art classes for middle school students at EPLD. Spots are limited for this free program and registration is required! Made possible by the Sun Foundation's Community Arts Access Grant - in collaboration with the Illinois Art Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Monday, October 23 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM Grades 5 - 8. Registration required! Children's Library 
DIY Embroidery StationHave you ever wanted to try embroidery? Stop by the DIY Embroidery station to try different stitches with the supplies provided, check out embroidery books, and make a bookmark to take home. Wednesday, October 25 | All day! Grades 9 - 12. Magazine Room |
Programs for Adults
Educational and social programs are held throughout the month.
View the recordings of our hybrid programs on our YouTube channel!
View the recordings of our hybrid programs on our YouTube channel!
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Ongoing Programs:
Book ClubBook Club meets the first Thursday of every month! Book Club is has a participant limit of 12, and is currently full. Please fill out the contact form if you would like to be considered when a spot opens up. 
Mystery Book ClubJoin us for Mystery Book Club the second Monday of every month! October theme: reading a book-in-common - When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain Monday, October 9 | 10:00 AM Free program. Program Room & Zoom 
Share Your StoryShare Your Story is back at a new day and time! This program is a fun and casual way to tell stories about our lives. We come together, reminisce, share a story, and listen. One goal of the program is to record our stories for our loved ones. Coffee and donuts will be served. Please contact Angela Roberts if you have any questions. October topic: Where were you born? Tell us about your hometown. Thursday, October 12 | 9:00 AM Program Room 
Program in a BagEvery month there will be a new themed bag with a craft, book list, and other activities! September's Program in a Bag: felt leaf wreath Pick up starting Thursday, September 28. *First-come, first-served. While supplies last.* |
Special Programs:
Lighthouses of Michigan & the Great LakesWhen you think of lighthouses do you think of the East or West coasts? Did you know that Michigan, which has more freshwater coastline than any other state, also has the most lighthouses (over 120)? This Illustrated Lecture focuses on the Lighthouses of Michigan (Lake Michigan). These lights have guided ships to safe harbors for more than a century and a half. Join Laura Keyes as she shares their history, their beauty, and their surprising stories. Laura Keyes graduated from UW-Madison with a Master’s Degree in Library Studies, and has been presenting on historic topics for over ten years. She enjoys researching literary symbolism, and is contracted to write a book on that subject. In her non-existent spare time, Laura is a wonderful baker and accomplished vocalist. Learn more about Laura on her website and Facebook! Tuesday, September 26 | 6:00 PM Registration required before 4:00 PM on Monday, September 25! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309.467.2922 ext. 1. 
Social Security & Medicare 101This program is ideal for anyone desiring updated information on Medicare Parts A-D or Medicare Supplements. This program is for educational purposes only and no specific company's plan details will be shared. Saturday, September 30 | 9:30 AM Registration required before 4:00 PM on Friday, September 29! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309.467.2922 ext. 1. 
ILP: Chills & Thrills with Stephen Graham JonesStephen Graham Jones joins us to talk scary stories, horror and more with horror expert Becky Spratford. Jones is the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians and Don’t Fear the Reaper, and a prolific author of more than 25 books spanning genres. He received an NEA Fellowship and won several awards including: the Ray Bradbury Award from the Los Angeles Times, the Bram Stoker Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, the Jesse Jones Award for Best Work of Fiction from the Texas Institute of Letters, the Independent Publishers Award for Multicultural Fiction, and the Alex Award from American Library Association. He is the Ivena Baldwin Professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder. Wednesday, October 4 | 7:00 PM Register online here: https://bit.ly/ILP_StephenGrahamJones Zoom NOTE: If you will not be able to watch the program live, please register above to receive an email with the link to watch the recording! Find more info about this and all of our Illinois Libraries Present programs on our ILP page! 
HydrangeasMaster Gardener Gretchen Strauch will be here to talk about Hydreangeas for the final Master Gardner program of 2023. Gardeners often have questions about what kind they have, when to prune, how to change color, etc. If we talk about them now maybe we can eliminate some of the hydrangea questions next spring! Monday, October 9 | 6:00 PM Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309.467.2922 ext. 1. 
Friends of EPLD Fall Bus TripWe are thrilled to announce that the Friends of the Eureka Public Library's Fall Bus Trip is back! This year's trip to the Chicago Premium Outlet Mall and Louis Joliet Mall has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 10. Seats are limited, so sign up today! Tuesday, October 10 Bus leaves: 7:45 AM | Bus returns: 8:00 PM Cost: $55 per person. Registration is required and space is limited! Chicago Premium Outlet Mall & Louis Joliet Mall Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309.467.2922 ext. 1. 
An Evening with Friends of Woodford County IL Feral CatsCommunity cats, feral cats, stray cats – call them what you will, but we've got them all over Woodford County...now what? Join us for an evening with our local TNR organization, Friends of Woodford County IL Feral Cats, and learn about the important work the volunteers are doing in Eureka & beyond. FOWCIFC will be accepting donations of bags of cat food. Monday, October 16 | 6:00 PM Registration required before 4:00 PM on Friday, October 13! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309.467.2922 ext. 1. 
Comfort Food MakeoversJoin U of I Extension Educator, Jenna Smith, as she demonstrates some simple swaps of ingredients to enjoy comfort foods while making a change to healthier cooking. Take home a recipe book with new ideas for meals, and taste a recipe made during the class. Feel confident making small changes! Tuesday, October 24 | 6:00 PM Registration required before 4:00 PM on Monday, October 23! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309.467.2922 ext. 1. 
Carle Health WellmobileThe Carle Health Wellmobile will be at EPLD for free blood pressure, cholesterol/blood glucose, & pulse oximetry screenings. An 8 - 12 hour fast is required for the cholesterol/blood glucose portion of the screening. It is also recommended to drink 16 ounces of water or more before the stop. Please take prescription medications as prescribed. Friday, October 27 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM Free program. Program Room |
Groups
Community groups that meet monthly at the library!
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In-person programs:
Heart of Illinois KnittersLooking for a daytime knitting and handcraft group? Stop in and join this informal group of crafters and enjoy each other’s company as you work on your own project. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month. Not able to make it at 10? Feel free to stop by anytime before noon. Open to patrons of all ages and abilities! 1st Tuesdays | 10:00 AM Program Room 
Woodford County Sewing GuildThe Woodford County Neighborhood Group of the Central IL Sewing Guild meets at the library every third Tuesday of the month starting at 10:00 AM! If you have any questions or wish to attend the meeting via Zoom, please contact Carol Luginbuhl (rclug@outlook.com). 3rd Tuesdays | 10:00 AM Program Room 
Dementia Education & Support GroupThe AC Home of Eureka's Dementia Education & Support Group meets at EPLD on the 4th Thursday of each month. This group is open to all members of the community. 4th Thursdays | 6:30 - 8:00 PM Program Room Group organized by: Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka |
Online programs:
Writer's CircleHave you thought about becoming an author, would like to write down your family’s stories, or simply love to express yourself through writing? Join this informal writer’s group to share your ideas and writings. Members offer positive support, feedback when requested, and incentive to keep writing. This group is currently meeting via Zoom on the third Thursday evening each month. For more information, please contact Brenda Troth by phone (309.261.1625) or email (brendareptile@gmail.com). 3rd Thursdays | 6:30 PM Online |
Printable calendar of the current month:
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Save the Datefor our upcoming programs!10/3 | Reading Buddies begins! 10/4 | Illinois Libraries Present: Chills & Thrills with Stephen Graham Jones [online] 10/9 | Hydrangeas 10/12 | Share Your Story 10/16 | An Evening with Friends of Woodford County IL Feral Cats 10/17 | Illinois Libraries Present: Food, Family, & Folktales - A Conversation with Grace Lin [online + watch party] 10/24 | Comfort Food Makeovers 10/27 | Carle Health Wellmobile If you would like to present a program at Eureka Public Library District, please visit our Program Proposal page. | ||