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Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge, cartoon Capybara reading on beach scene

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 1/19 - 1/24
All locations
Program Type:
Reading Challenge
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Reading Challenge
Event Details:

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge, cartoon Capybara reading on beach scene

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 1/26 - 1/31
All locations
Program Type:
Reading Challenge
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Reading Challenge
Event Details:

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Catholic Schools Week/visit from Seton

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 9:30am - 11:30am
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
storytime

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

A flyer that says, "Elementary Afterschool Activity" "January 13&15: National Hat Day, January 20&22: National Penguin Day, January 27&29: Pony Bead Crafts. 3:30-4:30 pm, Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown, Thursdays at Southwest."

Elementary After School Activity @ Watts-Midtown

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making pony bead crafts!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making pony bead crafts!

The cardboard head of a cat resembling the feline from the movie "KPop Demon Hunters" appears on a brown carpet background.

KPop Demon Hunters Cat Craft

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join us for a fantastic feline craft: make a wall hanging inspired by Derpy from "KPop Demon Hunters." We'll provide the cardboard head, so come ready to paint!

Full
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us for a fantastic feline craft: make a wall hanging inspired by Derpy from "KPop Demon Hunters." We'll provide the cardboard head, so come ready to paint!

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

 Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs. 

For ages 0 - 5 years old. 

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

 Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs. 

For ages 0 - 5 years old. 

MagiKids_Magic the Gathering cards, learn how to play at your library

MagiKids (Learn Magic the Gathering and get free cards!)

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age, Teen

This program is brought to you by MagiKids! 

Attendants will be able to open several packs of Magic the Gathering cards, built their decks, and learn how to play. The best part is they will get to keep the cards they choose! 

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

This program is brought to you by MagiKids! 

Attendants will be able to open several packs of Magic the Gathering cards, built their decks, and learn how to play. The best part is they will get to keep the cards they choose! 

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

parent and toddler playgroup

Winter Toddler Playgroup

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Downtown Children's Story Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregiver.  Toys and activities will be set out from  10 am to noon at the Downtown Library, Children's Room.  

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Children's Story Area
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregiver.  Toys and activities will be set out from  10 am to noon at the Downtown Library, Children's Room.  

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

A flyer that says, "Elementary Afterschool Activity" "January 13&15: National Hat Day, January 20&22: National Penguin Day, January 27&29: Pony Bead Crafts. 3:30-4:30 pm, Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown, Thursdays at Southwest."

Elementary After School Activity @ Southwest

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making pony bead crafts!

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making pony bead crafts!

Blonde haired woman sitting in a green chair reading a blue book to five small children

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Sew Much Fun Encore - Sewing 101

Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Sew Much Fun, the library is providing an encore of its Sewing 101 Class.

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Sew Much Fun, the library is providing an encore of its Sewing 101 Class.

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge, cartoon Capybara reading on beach scene

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 2/2 - 2/7
All locations
Program Type:
Reading Challenge
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Reading Challenge
Event Details:

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

A flyer that says, "Elementary Afterschool Activity" "February 3rd and 5th: Valentine's Day Cards, Feb. 10th and 12th: 2016 memes, Feb 17the and 19th: Escape Room, Feb 24th and 26th: Board Game day. Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown, Thursdays at Southwest."

Elementary After School Activity @ Watts-Midtown

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

The cover of the book " The first cat in Space Ate Pizza"

Kids Graphic Novel Book Club

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
School Age

A new book club for kids! The first Tuesday of every month we will be discussing a fun graphic novel! 

Read the book beforehand and talk about your favorite parts with others! 

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

A new book club for kids! The first Tuesday of every month we will be discussing a fun graphic novel! 

Read the book beforehand and talk about your favorite parts with others! 

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

 Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs. 

For ages 0 - 5 years old. 

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

 Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs. 

For ages 0 - 5 years old. 

A man resembling Abraham Lincoln posed in front of an American Flag.

An Afternoon with President Lincoln

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
America 250, Presentation, Performance
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

Meet 16th President of the United States and Illinois's favorite son, Abraham Lincoln! Mr. Lincoln will speak about his life and the impact he made on our country.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: America 250, Presentation, Performance
Event Details:

Meet 16th President of the United States and Illinois's favorite son, Abraham Lincoln! Mr. Lincoln will speak about his life and the impact he made on our country.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Outreach Skip A Long - Milan - Preschool Visit

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 9:45am - 10:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach, Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Miss Ranell will visit Skip a Long preschool for storytime. 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Outreach, Storytime
Event Details:

Miss Ranell will visit Skip a Long preschool for storytime. 

parent and toddler playgroup

Winter Toddler Playgroup

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Downtown Children's Story Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregiver.  Toys and activities will be set out from  10 am to noon at the Downtown Library, Children's Room.  

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Children's Story Area
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregiver.  Toys and activities will be set out from  10 am to noon at the Downtown Library, Children's Room.  

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.