The Kewanee Public Library will close at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, and will reopen on Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. before closing again on Dec. 24 and 25. They will reopen on the 26th and close on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 reopening again on Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. The staff appreciates the public’s understanding as they take this time to spend with their families.

Gear up our 150 anniversary

2025 marks the 150th year that the Kewanee Public Library has served our community. To celebrate, they will be having special anniversary events every month throughout the year. Check back with the library in 2025 to see what they have planned.

Kewanee Public library kicked off their anniversary celebrations in November. The first promotion was to let patrons design and submit bookmarks. Stop in December to vote for your favorite. The winning bookmark will be printed and used for the entirety of 2025.

Meet Santa – Dec. 20 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Families are invited to stop in at the library and meet Santa. Bring your camera to capture the moment and take a photo home with you. The library will be closed during this event and they ask that you use the north elevator entrance and take the elevator to the second floor.

Digital literacy class

Due to popular demand the library is bringing back their digital literacy classes. Available topics are Essential Computer Skills, Essential Software Skills, or office productivity skills, and Technology Tools in Daily Life, which teaches practical computer skills. Meetings will be Wednesdays on the lower level and will run from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please call their staff at 309-852-4505.

The Magic of Raina Telgemeir – Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.

Join the library for a night with critically acclaimed comic artist Raina Telgemeier. Raina is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts and Guts, all number-one New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, and has contributed short stories to many anthologies.

New in 2024, The Cartoonists Club is a one-of-a-kind graphic novel from Raina and Scott McCloud. Children’s Librarian Genevieve Grove will join Raina in conversation.

Raina’s accolades include six Eisner Awards, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and many Best-of and Notables lists.

Raina grew up in San Francisco, then moved to New York City, where she earned an illustration degree at the School of Visual Arts. She currently lives and works in San Francisco.

This event will be held on Zoom. Visit kewaneelibrary.org to register or attend their watch party in the Community Room.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.

Chapter Chasers Book Club – fourth through sixth graders

Calling young readers! Students fourth through sixth grade are invited to join the library’s new book club, Chapter Chasers. They will meet Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in the youth room. Students will listen as the newest youth staff member, Chris, reads from Where the Red FernGrows, and will discuss the story as it progresses. Students are welcome to bring drinks and snacks or just enjoy the snacks provided by the library. No registration is required.

Youth Programming

Ring in December with the Dino-vember grand finale event. Join the library on Sat. Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. as they are joined by the T-Rexplorers. The T-Rexplorers Team will showcase authentic dinosaur fossils to share as well as the stories behind them. Stop in early, at 9:45 a.m., for a chance to meet Green Bean the Triceratops. This is a family friendly event, so don’t let the dinosaur fan in your family miss out.

Baby and preschool storytime continues this month. Through Dec. 17, infants through preschool age children and their adults are invited to attend Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m. Stick around afterward for the stay and play sensory play time. If you can’t make it in person, catch their story time live on Facebook at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays. If you’re interested in the music and movement storytime, stop in Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. and get moving.

The library has two drop-in crafts planned this December. Elementary-age children are invited to stop in Dec. 11 and 13 between 2 and 6 p.m. or Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to make their own gumdrop tree. They will also have a special craft on Dec. 12 from 2 -6 p.m., stop in to make a holiday countdown calendar. For preschool aged patrons, stop in Dec. 18 and 19 between 2 and 6 p.m. for a swirl painted ornament craft. To make either of these crafts alongside library staff, stop in at 3:30 p.m. on the weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Throughout winter break, from Dec. 23 through Jan. 4, each day the youth services department will have a new make and take craft to take home with you. Stop by between 2 and 6 p.m. to pick one up while supplies last.

Adult Book Club – Monday, Dec. 16 at 2 and 6 p.m.

This month’s book club will be discussing The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber. As always, there will be two meetings, one at 2 p.m. and another at 6 p.m.
The library staff asks that anyone attending the evening meeting please enter the building through the elevator entrance on the north side of the building on First Street. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the information services desk on the lower level.

Henry County Genealogical Society

As part of their monthly meetings, the Henry County Genealogical Society welcomes a variety of interesting presenters. The meetings are on the fourth Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Due to the holidays, there will not be a December meeting. Meetings will then resume for the new year on Jan. 27.

Creativity at the Carnegie

Do you enjoy knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch or quilting? Come join the library in the Community Room on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. This is an adult group sponsored by the Friends of the Kewanee Public Library. For more information call 309-852-4505.

For more information on any of the above-mentioned programs or to see services that are offered at the Kewanee Public Library, call 309-852-4505 or visit www.kewaneelibrary.org. You can also email the library at reference@kewaneelibrary.org with any questions.