PROGRAM CALENDAR
Programs for All-Ages
We try to offer monthly programs for everyone in the community!
Ongoing programs:
U of I Extension Master Gardener Plant ClinicApril - September, on the third Monday of every month the University of Illinois Extension Woodford County Master Gardeners will be at EPLD! Bring your gardening questions, landscape problems, and unidentified plant and insect samples to the library and get free information and advice. Third Mondays | 4:30 - 6:00 PM Free program. Outdoor Pavilion* *weather permitting |
Special programs:
Dive into Reading | 2023 Summer Reading ProgramDive into Reading with Eureka Public Library! Read just 2 hours per week during the 6-week program to earn prizes/entries into prize drawings. Summer Reading is not just for kids, it's open to patrons of ALL AGES! NEW FOR 2023: our Summer Reading Program is on the READsquared app! Register online or fill out an offline registration form. Registration begins Monday, May 15! Dive into Reading starts Thursday, June 1! Summer Reading Kick-Off PartyLet's kick off our 2023 Summer Reading Program, Dive into Reading, with a fun party for patrons of all ages at the library! We'll have music from Freight Train Mike, treats, games, face painting, prizes, and more! Feel free to bring your lawn chairs for a comfy place to sit and enjoy the evening! Sponsored by the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. Thursday, June 1 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM Free program. Outdoor Pavilion & Library Lawn* *Rain date: Tuesday, June 6 Tiny Art ContestTo enter, register at the adult circulation desk (starting June 1!) and pick up a Tiny Art Kit. Use the kit to show what "Dive into Reading" means to you. All submissions are due by 5 pm on Friday, July 14, 2023. All contest entries will be put on display from July 17 - 31 for our Tiny Art Show and members of the community will vote on their top three favorites. Thursday, June 1 - Friday, July 14 Free program. Registration required! Family Movie FridayFeel free to bring your own blanket (or beach towel!) to spread out on the floor and/or snacks to watch a fun family movie at the library in the air conditioning! Please note that grown-ups must stay with kids for the duration of the movie. Friday, June 9 | 2:00 PM Friday, July 7 | 2:00 PM Free program. Program Room |
Programs for Kids
Story times and other fun programs are held each month throughout the year.
Ongoing Programs:
Birthday Book ClubJoin the EPLD Birthday Book Club! It's fun and easy! During your birthday month, stop in the library and let us know it's your birthday!
Free program for children of all ages. 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! Play in the PavilionStay after Storytime to Play in the Pavilion! Each week will have different fun activities! Select weeks will feature special guests: the Eureka Police Department, the Peoria Art Guild, and more! Starts June 6! Tuesdays (except July 4) | 10:30 - 11:00 AM Free program. Outdoor Pavilion* *weather permitting |
Special Programs:
Makerspace MayMakerspace May will be a month full of creative possibilities for kids all ages. Stop by the children's library to make cards, paper art, draw, color, build with LEGO, K'nex, blocks, puzzles, and so much more! New supplies added each week! Monday, May 1 - Wednesday, May 31 Free program. Children's Library Tic-Tac-Toe ChallengeTo be eligible for the grand prize drawings at the end of the Summer Reading Program, complete the weekly tic-tac-toe challenge! Each week, there will be a new challenge card, so simply chose the challenges you’d like to complete and turn in the card for a chance to win a deluxe art kit, gift cards, or LEGO set. Weekly challenges start June 1! Free program. Children's Library MS Lunch & Learn: Financial LessonsCountry Financial Advisor David Hoffman will be here for a lunch & learn financial program. Come learn about investing, managing, and saving money! Lunch will be served at 11:30 AM. Friday, June 2 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Free program. Grades 7 & 8. Registration required! Children's Library Reading BuddiesBring your own stuffed animal buddy and have fun reading. Practice sight words and reading in the library's pavilion! Reading tents will be set up for those that just want to read a book to their buddy. Wednesdays, June 7, 21, 28 & July 12 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM Free program. Outdoor Pavilion* *weather permitting MS Library VolunteersVolunteers will be working on craft preparations, library work, labeling books for Reading Buddies, and more. Speak with Miss Angela for more information on other volunteer opportunities throughout the summer! Thursday, June 8 & Monday, July 3 } 4:00 - 5:00 PM Grades 5 - 8. Registration required! Children's Library Voices from the Forest w/ Forest Park Nature CenterWild animals use sound to send messages to one another. Learn about animal sounds and how to decode them. The naturalist will use activities, artifacts, and have a live animal encounter Wednesday, June 14 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM Free program. Eureka Lake Park Pavilion MS Crafting & Pizza PartyParticipants will make a space bounty hunter helmet using craft knives, hot glue guns, glue, duct tape, cardboard, and scissors for this complex project. Pizza wll be served at 12:00 PM. Thursday, June 15 | 12:00 - 2:00 PM Free program. Grades 5 - 8. Registration required! Children's LIbrary |
Programs for Teens
The library offers several monthly and annual programs for middle-school and high-school aged youth.
Ongoing Programs:
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Special Programs:
Sync FREE Audiobooks for TeensAimed at Teens 13+, SYNC 2023 will give away two paired audiobook titles a week, starting April 27 and ending August 2! Get the Sora K-12 reading app from OverDrive in advance of the program, from the Apple or Google App Store. Check out our SYNC page for more info and the schedule. Have questions? They have a very detailed F.A.Q. page! Thursday, April 27 - Wednesday, August 2 Two new free audiobooks each week! Ice Tie-DyeWe'll use tie-dye powder and ice to make very cool tie-dye tote bags at the library! All supplies provided. Space is limited! Wednesday, June 7 | 2:00 PM Free program. Ages 13 - 17. Registration required! Library Lawn Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. Art at the Bodega @ EPLD: Turtle Watercolor Ceramic PlateJoin us for this fun, easy, and versatile ceramic project. Follow step-by-step instructions to make a beautiful Watercolor Sea Turtle piece. Art at the Bodega staff will be sharing some fun techniques to create all of the details! You can pick up your project 7 days from the date of the class and it will be 100% food safe, or you can use it as decoration! Tuesday, June 13 | 10:00 AM Cost: $40. Ages 13+. Registration required! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. Art at the Bodega @ EPLD: Fused Glass MushroomLearn the fundamentals of fused glass art to create beautiful and whimsical glass mushroom yard stakes for your garden or yard. Participants will source unique combinations of colored glass, their choice of patterned glass and enamel powders, and various other embellishments to create one-of-a-kind designs. No prior experience is required! Your piece will be ready for pickup in approximately 14 days. Thursday, June 29 | 5:30 PM Cost: $40. Ages 13+. Registration required! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. |
Programs for Adults
Educational and social programs are held throughout the month.
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. |
Special Programs:
Deer Resistant PlantsKeeping your beautiful garden safe from deer is as simple as choosing the right plants. Master Gardener Gretchen Strauch will discuss some of the prettiest annuals, perennials, bulbs, and shrubs that deer don't eat. Monday, June 12 | 6:00 PM Free program. Registration required before 4:00 PM on Friday, June 9! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. Art at the Bodega @ EPLD: Turtle Watercolor Ceramic PlateJoin us for this fun, easy, and versatile ceramic project. Follow step-by-step instructions to make a beautiful Watercolor Sea Turtle piece. Art at the Bodega staff will be sharing some fun techniques to create all of the details! You can pick up your project 7 days from the date of the class and it will be 100% food safe, or you can use it as decoration! Tuesday, June 13 | 10:00 AM Cost: $40. Ages 13+. Registration required! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. History of Eureka LakeWe will explore why the city created the lake in 1941, improvements made to the property over the years, and recreational use of the lake and property. We will also touch on the tragic drownings which led to swimming being prohibited and the Eureka Rescue Squad being created. Thursday, June 15 | 6:00 PM Free hybrid program. Registration required before 4:00 PM on Tuesday, June 13! Program Room & Zoom To join us in-person: Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. To join us on Zoom: Register online! Art at the Bodega @ EPLD: Fused Glass MushroomLearn the fundamentals of fused glass art to create beautiful and whimsical glass mushroom yard stakes for your garden or yard. Participants will source unique combinations of colored glass, their choice of patterned glass and enamel powders, and various other embellishments to create one-of-a-kind designs. No prior experience is required! Your piece will be ready for pickup in approximately 14 days. Thursday, June 29 | 5:30 PM Cost: $40. Ages 13+. Registration required! Program Room Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922 ext. 1. |
Groups
Community groups that meet monthly at the library!
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. Open to patrons of all ages and abilities! First 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 Thursday of the month starting at 10:00 AM! If you have any questions or wish to attend the meeting via Zoom, please contact Robin Staudenmeier (erstauden@gmail.com). Third Thursdays | 10:00 AM Program Room |
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). Third Thursdays | 6:30 PM Online |