Upcoming @ The Library
October is PACKED with free events and activities at Centralia Regional Library District!
Events
Illinois Libraries Present
Chills & Thrills with Stephen Graham Jones
Wednesday, October 4, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Stephen 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.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.
Local Author Shelia Cisco Book Reading & Signing
Saturday, October 14, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Local Centralia author, Shelia Cisco, will read her new book, Sir Gregory Groundhog of Essex County, at the Centralia Regional Library District! After reading the story, she’ll be signing copies of the book so you can bring home the tale of Sir Gregory to enjoy at any time.
Teen Reading Club
Saturday, October 14, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Join Centralia Regional Library District’s new Reading Club for teens! This club is a laid-back, bring-your-own-reading-content type, with snacks and activities. There is no required reading, but suggestions are always given for guidance. Reading doesn’t even have to be from a book, but if you are reading a book, it doesn’t have to be a traditional, physical novel–all reading is welcome here, be it magazines, fanfiction, shampoo bottle labels… whatever you like to read, we’ll talk about it!
Book Club for Adults
Tuesday, October 17, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
This month we are reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood:
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now…
If you are not yet a member, be sure to fill out a member form, especially if you want us to hold a copy of the book for you!
Illinois Libraries Present
Food, Family, and Folktales: A Conversation with Grace Lin
Tuesday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Join Newbery and Caldecott honoree and New York Times bestselling Grace Lin for an engaging conversation about her journey to become an award-winning author and illustrator. Learn about her latest middle grade book, Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods, a beautifully written full-color book that explores the whimsical myths and stories behind your favorite American Chinese food, and learn how you can draw your own stories. Evanston Public Library Children’s Librarian, Brian E. Wilson, joins Grace in conversation.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events.
Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale
Saturday, October 21
Members Only Sale: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
General Public: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fit as many books, DVDs, and more into a Friends of the Library bag for only $5!
Join the Friends of the Library for $10 (annual rate) and get early access to the sale. This sale is in the Monken Activity Room on the Library’s second floor, accessible by elevator and stairs.
Get Ready for the 2024 Great American Eclipse!
Monday, October 23, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On April 8, 2024, another total solar eclipse will be happening and Centralia has a front row seat! Get ready to view this incredible event by coming to one of our monthly workshops leading up to the date of totality. You’ll learn just what exactly an eclipse is and why they happen, how to safely view one, and how to photograph it without ruining your eyes or your camera. There will also be arts and crafts.
Books for Treats™ Sponsored by the Friends of the Library
Friday, October 27, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. or when all books are gone
Trick or Treat! without the tricks and with Books for Treats™. Youth ages birth through 6th grade will be able to pick out their own “treat” from tables of books marked by age groups. Youth will also receive a bag for their “treats” courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Costumes are encouraged but not required and all youth under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Campfire Scares
Saturday, October 28, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Bring your scariest stories as we take turns passing a flashlight around the campfire to tell them. There will be s'mores treats. Bring a friend to tell a story together! This event is for ages 12-18 and is held in the Monken Activity Room (accessible by elevator).
Activities
5th Annual Library Crawl
The Annual Library Crawl is a unique event organized by the public libraries of Illinois Heartland Library System as a fun way to introduce patrons to the libraries of the IHLS service area. Patrons visit area libraries throughout the month of the crawl and get a passport stamp at each library they visit. This year, 158 libraries are participating in the crawl and we’re one of them! To get your stamp at Centralia Regional Library District, just come on up to the front desk and ask about the crawl. You’ll also get a commemorative button while supplies last. You can print your own passport at home or come into the library to get a copy. See how many other IHLS libraries you can visit this month!
Design-a-Button Kits for Teens
Design your own button with these reusable button blanks! Pop off the back, insert anything you’d like, push the back back on, and voila! Your very own button. Just pop the back off again to change the design. One kit per teen while supplies last in the second floor youth department (accessible by elevator).
To learn more about our programming, visit our website.
Keep the activities going 24/7 with on-demand art and craft classes from Creativebug, free with your library card!