Monthly Library Newsletter
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November 2025 Newsletter
Wednesday, November 5th
Adult Craft Night: Pumpkin Pie Garland at 6 pm –
Join us at the library on November 5th at 6 pm for November’s Craft Night! This month we’ll be making Pumpkin Pie Garlands! Registration is limited – call 217-243-5435 ext 235 or email Ali at ajones@jaxpl.org to register. We hope to see you there!
Saturday, November 8th
Encore Family Craft: Pumpkin Pie Garland at 2 pm –
Couldn’t make it to Wednesday’s craft class? Not to worry! Join us on Saturday, November 8th at 2 pm for our Encore Family Craft! 6th graders to Adults are welcome! Registration is limited – call 217-243-5435 ext 235 or email Ali at ajones@jaxpl.org to register!
The Jacksonville Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th for Veterans Day.
Wednesday, November 12th
Adult Book Club: Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis at 6 pm –
Join us on November 12th at 6 pm for our November Page Turners Book Club meeting. This month we are reading Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis. All are welcome! Books are available for check out at the Circulation desk!
Friday, November 14th
Lego Club from 2:30 – 5 pm –
Calling all builders! This month’s Lego Club meeting is coming up! Join us at the library on October 10th to show off your Lego skills. Stop in anytime between 2:30 and 5:00 pm. This month’s challenge: build your favorite forest critter!
Saturday, November 15th
Wicked Sing-Along at 2 pm –
Join us for a special movie sing-along event on Saturday, November 15th at 2 pm where we’ll be watching “Wicked”! Rated PG for some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive material.
Sunday, November 16th
Music Under the Dome: Tom Irwin and Amy Battles at 4 pm –
The Jacksonville Public Library is pleased to host Tom Irwin and Amy Battles as our next musical guests on Sunday, November 16th at 4 pm. All are welcome, we hope to see you there!
Tuesday, November 18th
Kenji Lopez-Alt: A Journey Through Food and Science via Zoom at 7 pm –
Join award-winning cookbook author, New York Times food columnist, and Serious Eats director J. Kenji López-Alt for an evening of cooking insights, techniques, and foodie exploration. Please Call the Jacksonville Public Library at 217-243-5435 to register.
Wednesday, November 19th
Adult Game Night: Card Games at 6 pm –
Get ready for another night of fun at the Jacksonville Public Library! Join us on Wednesday, November 19th at 6 pm for Adult Game Night! This month’s theme is CARDS GAMES! Bring your favorite card game, whether it be Uno, Phase 10, or something else! Admission is free!
Friday, November 21st
Pokémon Perler Beads from 2 – 5 pm –
Drop by the library any time between 2 and 5 PM on Friday, November 21st to make your favorite Pokémon!
Tuesday, November 25th
Pajama Storytime at 6:30 pm –
Put on your favorite PJs and stop by the library on Tuesday, November 25th at 6:30 pm for a special Pajama Storytime!
The Jacksonville Public Library will close at 6 pm on Wednesday, November 26th and remain closed on the 27th and 28th for Thanksgiving.
We wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 29th
Sensory Sensitive Storytime at 10 am –
This month on Saturday, November 29th at 10 am, JPL is offering a monthly storytime program that caters specifically to neurodiverse children or those with sensory processing challenges, but all families are welcome to attend. This program is best suited for ages 3-7.
D&D Club from 4 – 6 pm
Well met, traveler! The Jacksonville Public Library is looking for brave adventurers to join our party!
Group 1 meets: November 7th
Group 2 meets: November 21st
Our current session of D&D Club is full! Check our social media for updates or email Blaine at blainecoultas@gmail.com with questions regarding future sessions.
Teen Advisory Board – What do you want to see at your library? Join TAB to help us make the library a better place for teens! In November, we’ll be meeting on the 13th at 5 pm! Please email Courtney at clangdon@jaxpl.org or Brittany at boverby@jaxpl.org with questions!
Mindful Movement – Grab a towel and join Jeannie Hemphill for a mindful movement class. Learn the basics of mindful movement with an introduction to balance, finger/wrist exercises, shoulder rolls and more. As long as there’s enough interest, this class will continue so don’t hesitate to stop by! This month classes will be held on November 10th and 17th from 4:30 – 5:30 pm in the meeting room.
Storytime – Join us for stories and a craft every Wednesday morning at 10 AM and every Wednesday afternoon at 3PM unless otherwise posted!
Baby Storytime – Join us at the library every Friday at 10 AM for Baby Storytime! This program, for caregivers and babies 0-24 months, is designed to encourage baby’s early literacy skills through stories, songs, rhymes, and movement.
There will be no Baby Storytime on November 28th.
October 2025 Newsletter
Wednesday, October 1st
Adult Craft Night: Air Dry Clay Gnomes at 6 pm –
Stop by the library for the October craft night! This month we are making Halloween air dry clay gnomes! Registration is limited – please call 217-243-5435 ext 235 or email ajones@jaxpl.org to register. We hope to see you there!
Wednesday, October 8th
Adult Book Club: “The Sanatorium” at 6 pm –
The Jacksonville Public Library Page Turners will be discussing “The Sanatorium” by Sarah Pearse at this month’s Adult Book Club meeting on Wednesday, October 8th at 6 pm. Never been to a meeting before? No problem! All adults are welcome!
Friday, October 10th
Lego Club from 2:30 – 5 pm –
Calling all builders! This month’s Lego Club meeting is coming up! Join us at the library on October 10th to show off your Lego skills. Stop in anytime between 2:30 and 5:00 pm. This month’s challenge: build something spooky!
Saturday, October 12th
Encore Family Craft Class at 2 pm –
Sad you missed last night’s craft? No worries! There will be an encore family craft date on Saturday, October 11th at 2pm. Children 6th grade and up and adults may register – registration is limited to call or email to sign up today!
The Jacksonville Public Library will be closed on Monday, October 13th for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Wednesday, October 15th
Crisis Center Foundation: Domestic Violence 101 at 6 pm –
Join the JPL and The Crisis Center Foundation in Jacksonville on October 15th at 6 pm for Domestic Violence 101: What you can to to recognize the signs and what you can do to prevent it. Admission is free – we hope to see you there!
Tuesday, October 21st
Paint & Sip for Teens at 6 pm –
Join us for a Halloween Teen Paint & Sip on Tuesday, October 21st at 6 pm. Drinks will be provided. For grades 6 – 12. We hope to see you there!
Beyond the Screen: A “Wicked” Conversation with Marissa Bode via Zoom at 7 pm –
Prepare for a magical evening as Illinois Libraries Present welcomes actress Marissa Bode. Bode made her feature film debut as Nessarose in Academy Award-winning blockbuster, Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu. Please Call the Jacksonville Public Library at 217-243-5435 to register.
Wednesday, October 22nd
The Return of Dead People of Illinois at 6 pm –
Join us again on October 22nd at 6pm to hear from John Lynn, for The Return of Dead People from IL! Searching for dead people in all the right places, this ”underground” presentation explores hundreds of Illinois cemeteries to find interesting graves and headstones, intriguing lives and deaths, and lots and plots of funny names.
Thursday, October 23rd
The History of Public Reading in Jacksonville at 6 pm –
Presented by Morgan Historical Society and Chad Boehlke, Public Historian. Thursday, October 23rd at 6pm. Stay tuned for more details!
Saturday, October 25th
Sensory Sensitive Storytime at 10 am –
This month on Saturday, October 25th at 10 am, JPL is offering a monthly storytime program that caters specifically to neurodiverse children or those with sensory processing challenges, but all families are welcome to attend. This program is best suited for ages 3-7.
Wednesday, October 29th
Ravens and Tombstones: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe at 7 pm –
Join us on Wednesday, October 29th at 7 pm for Ravens and Tombstones: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe. With Halloween almost upon us, who better to spend an evening with than that master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe? In the 90-minute program, using Poe’s poetry to explore his life and times, Robert Seufert portrays Poe and Sherri Mitchell assumes the role of Poe’s beloved wife and muse, Virginia Clemm. Admission is free – all are welcome!
D&D Club from 4 – 6 pm
Well met, traveler! The Jacksonville Public Library is looking for brave adventurers to join our party!
Group 1 meets: October 24th
Group 2 meets: October 17th
Our current session of D&D Club is full! Check our social media for updates or email Blaine at blainecoultas@gmail.com with questions regarding future sessions.
Teen Advisory Board – What do you want to see at your library? Join TAB to help us make the library a better place for teens! In October, we’ll be meeting on the 9th and 23rd at 5 pm! Please email Courtney at clangdon@jaxpl.org or Brittany at boverby@jaxpl.org with questions!
Storytime – Join us for stories and a craft every Wednesday morning at 10 AM and every Wednesday afternoon at 3PM unless otherwise posted! There will be no Storytime on October 15th.
Baby Storytime – Join us at the library every Friday at 10 AM for Baby Storytime! This program, for caregivers and babies 0-24 months, is designed to encourage baby’s early literacy skills through stories, songs, rhymes, and movement.
September 2025 Newsletter
The Jacksonville Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 1st for Labor Day.
Wednesday, September 3rd
Adult Craft Night: Pumpkin Coasters at 6 pm –
Join us on Wednesday, September 3rd at 6 pm for our September Adult Craft Class! This month we’ll be making DIY pumpkin coasters!Registration is limited! Call 217-243-5435 ext 235 or email ajones@jaxpl.org to register!
Sunday, September 7th
Music Under the Dome: Barry Cloyd at 4 pm –
Join us under the Rotunda at the Jacksonville Public Library on Sunday, September 7th at 4 pm for the first performance of a new Music Under the Dome Season: Barry Cloyd!
Wednesday, September 10th
Adult Book Club: The Seven 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle at 6 pm –
The Jacksonville Public Library Page Turners will be discussing “The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton at this month’s Adult Book Club meeting on Wednesday, September 10th at 6 pm – please join us for a fun evening of great conversation!
Friday, September 12th
Lego Club from 2:30 – 5 pm –
Calling all builders! This month’s Lego Club meeting is coming up! Join us at the library on September 12th to show off your Lego skills. Stop in anytime between 2:30 and 5:00 pm. September’s challenge is to build your dream job!
Saturday, September 13th
Encore Craft Class: Pumpkin Coasters at 2 pm –
Couldn’t make it to our Wednesday craft night? No problem! Join us on Saturday, September 13th at 2 pm for our Encore Craft Class! Our September craft is DIY pumpkin coasters! Registration is limited! Call 217-243-5435 ext 235 or email ajones@jaxpl.org to register!
Tuesday, September 16th
Teen Craft Night at 6 pm
Stay tuned for more details!
Finding Clues: Then and Now with Steve Burns via Zoom at 7 pm –
Steve’s back, and not for the kids, but for you! Please Call the Jacksonville Public Library at 217-243-5435 to register.
Wednesday, September 17th
Author Event: Larry Kuster at 6:30 pm –
Join us on September 17th at 6:30 pm for a special author event with local author, Larry Kuster as he discusses his new book – Fred Francis: A Prairie State Genius. There will be a book book discussion then a signing to conclude the program. Admission is free!
Wednesday, September 24th
Gone On Vacation with Sylvia Shults at 6 pm –
Join award-winning paranormal reporter Sylvia Shults for a look at the darker side of your summer vacation! Come along as she takes you on a supernatural road trip to the world’s most haunted zoos, museums, and amusement parks – where animals, zookeepers, curators, and thrill-seekers from the past continue to linger into the present.Wednesday, September 24th at 6 PM. Admission is free – hope to see you there!
Saturday, September 27th
Sensory Sensitive Storytime at 10 am –
This month on Saturday, September 27th at 10 am, JPL is offering a monthly storytime program that caters specifically to neurodiverse children or those with sensory processing challenges, but all families are welcome to attend. This program is best suited for ages 3-7.
D&D Club from 4 – 6 pm
Well met, traveler! The Jacksonville Public Library is looking for brave adventurers to join our party!
Group 1 meets: September 5th
Group 2 meets: September 19th
Our current session of D&D Club is full! Check our social media for updates or email Blaine at blainecoultas@gmail.com with questions regarding future sessions.
Teen Advisory Board – What do you want to see at your library? Join TAB to help us make the library a better place for teens! In September, we’ll be meeting on the 11th and 25th at 5 pm! Please email Courtney at clangdon@jaxpl.org or Brittany at boverby@jaxpl.org with questions!
Storytime – Join us for stories and a craft every Wednesday morning at 10 AM and every Wednesday afternoon at 3PM unless otherwise posted!
Baby Storytime – Join us at the library every Friday at 10 AM for Baby Storytime! This program, for caregivers and babies 0-24 months, is designed to encourage baby’s early literacy skills through stories, songs, rhymes, and movement.