The Kewanee Public Library’s Summer Reading Program has begun and will run through July 13.  Those wishing to register should stop by the service desk for information.  Online registration is also available by downloading the Beanstack app for both Android and iOS.  Don’t miss out on the chance to win prizes for reading.

Pride Book Club

In honor of Pride Month, the Kewanee Public Library Pride Committee will hold a special book club in June.  Much like their usual Adult Book Club, this book club will be held at two different times, but they are switching it up a little.  

While each meeting will read the same book, Cold by Mariko Tamaki, the meetings will be for two separate age groups.  Adults will meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 and young adults are invited to join in on Thursday, June 27 at 4 p.m.  Both meetings will be held in the Community Room.  

Books are already available to pick up at the main floor circulation desk. You can also access the audio version through Hoopla. The library staff hopes to see you there! 

Those planning to attend Pride Fest on June 9, are being asked to stop by and see the library. Library staff will be at Northeast Park with games, a giant bubble station, including a how-to STEM kit for attendees to take with them, a few small prize drawings, and more.

Drink Umbrella Wreath Craft – June 4 from 4 – 6 p.m.

Bring some summer color to your front door with a Drink Umbrella wreath. Adults, ages 18 and up, are invited to join in on Tuesday, June 4, where they’ll learn how to make their own wreath. Registration is required as seats are limited, so don’t miss the chance and sign up today.

My Father’s War – The History, The Story, and the Music of WWII – June 5

Join the library and discover the stories of the servicemen and women, regular people who put it all on the line to fight during World War II. Ron Eckberg will be at the library on June 5 at 6 p.m. to share details he’s drawn from his father’s accounts and detailed research while digging into the details and meaning of popular wartime songs.

Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man Party – June 20 at 2 p.m.

The Youth Services Staff invite the public to join them on June 20 to celebrate Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series.  There will be games, activities, some take home goodies and a prize drawing.

Most Haunted Locations in Illinois with Chad Lewis – June 20 at 6 p.m.

Prepare for a scare! Popular paranormal presenter, and author of the book The Illinois Guide to Haunted Places, Chad Lewis will be at the library to entertain attendees with tales of Illinois’ most haunted locations.  

Youth Programming

Babies to pre-K age children are invited to join the youth staff for songs, action rhymes, stories and games, during their story time. Each week during the summer the library will hold two story times, one on Tuesdays and one on Wednesdays, with both at 11:15 a.m.  This session will run through July 30.  

If the weather’s nice, you may even catch us out on the front lawn.  Stick around after story time and help decorate the sidewalk for a sidewalk chalk creativity session.

Throughout Summer Reading, the library staff will be keeping things interesting with different Grab and Go kits each week.  Through June 8, stop in to pick up the first of the summer, Pipe Cleaner Anemone craft kits.  

From June 10-22, the library will offer Squid Windsocks ready to create at home.  

June 24 through July 6, the library will provide everything you need to create an Ocean Animal Mosaic. And to close out the summer, you’ll get the chance to create Shark Gliders. Stop in and grab one while supplies last.

In addition to the Grab and Go kits, the library will be holding several in-house crafts. For the PreK crowd, they will be offering a different craft every other week from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

June 12-15, we will be making CD Fish. June 26-29, staff will demonstrate to attendees how to make painted sting ray, and July 10-13, they’ll finish out the series by creating Turtle Suncatchers.  

The library will also be hosting Make It Mondays, from noon to 2 p.m., which will feature a new craft each week.

Young Adult Programming

Staff didn’t forget about the Young Adult groups. They have in-house crafts, grab and go’s, and they’ve brought back their Photography Club for the summer.  In June, stop in to grab an Ocean Wood Beat Tassel kit or attend the Decoupage Sand Dollar Ornament which the library will be holding at two different times. Join them on June 10 or 14, both at noon.  The Photography Club will have its first meeting on June 5 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.  The second meeting will be on June 21 at the same time. 

Adult Book Club – Monday, June 17 at 2 and 6 p.m.

The next meeting date of the Adult Book Club is June 17 where the group will be discussing The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Richardson.  As always, they will hold two meetings, one at 2 p.m. and another at 6 p.m.; youths are invited to attend whichever time works the best.  

The library 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.  We hope to see you there!

Henry County Genealogical Society

As part of their monthly meetings, the Henry County Genealogical Society welcomes a variety of interesting presenters. The meetings are the fourth Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Room.  

The next meeting is June 24.  Steve Kastroff will be here to tell us about the Civilian Conservation Corps – Camp Annawan.

Creativity @ the Carnegie

Do you enjoy knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch or quilting?  Come and join the staff at the Kewanee Public 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 those who would like to enjoy the comradery of others while creating their own fiber projects.  

The next meeting will be June 11.  For more information, stop by or give them a call at (309) 852-4505.

For more information on any of the above-mentioned programs or to see what services are offered at your library, call (309) 852-4505 or visit them on the web at www.kewaneelibrary.org. You can also email the library at reference@kewaneelibrary.org with any questions.  

“We appreciate your continued support.”