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View our FAQ page for hours and more important information.
All EPL locations will be closed on December 24, 25, and January 1.
On December 31, the Main Library will be open from 2-5 pm and the Robert Crown Library Branch will be closed .
Monday, December 21, 2020 | View in browser
Habari gani. What's the news?
Join the Evanston community in celebrating Kwanzaa, which honors the African heritage of many Americans. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration starting December 26 that focuses on one of seven values each day.
Umoja - Unity; Kujichagulia - Self-Determination; Ujima - Collective Work or Responsibility; Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics; Nia - Purpose; Kuumba - Creativity; and Imani - Faith.
Take a look at our Celebrating Kwanzaa Booklist. For more books about Kwanzaa, check out what Hoopla has to offer.
Kwanzaa Kit: Pick up a Zawadi Craft kit, best for ages 5 and up, at the Robert Crown Library Branch or the Main Library. Available while supplies last. You can also try this Kinara (Kwanzaa Candelabra) Craft!
Check out the Fleetwood-Jordain Theatre's livestream Kwanzaa events, including an unveiling of a Kwanzaa display in Fountain Square on December 26 at 11 am, as well as a virtual celebration on each of the seven days of Kwanzaa. Both events will be live streamed on Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Winter Break Programs: Sign up now!
There's still time to register for these cool programs:
- Write Now! Pen Pal Program: Sign up to receive a handwritten letter mailed to your child around January 2, along with instructions on how they can write a friendly letter and a stamped envelope to send back to us! If your child can't write on their own, have an adult or older child help. We'd love to hear from your child! Register
- Solve a real natural science mystery over winter break! Pick up our Mystery Science Kit for ages 5-13 starting Monday, December 21 at the Main Library or Robert Crown Library Branch. An accompanying video can guide you in your investigations. Kits available while supplies last.
- Miss getting one of our Winter Solstice kits? You can still watch our video to celebrate on December 21.
- Cozy Craft: Needle Felting! Elevate your coziness factor with the ultimate winter craft: needle felting with wool! For kids in 5th grade through teens. Saturday, December 26, 4 pm, Register; or Tuesday, December 29, 3 pm, Register
- Community Understanding Project: a Social Justice Book Club for 4th-6th grades only. We're reading A Good Kind of Trouble. This program was so popular we're offering it again! Monday, December 28, 3:30 pm. Register
- New Year's Community Project! Help us create creative word clouds to share with the community by filling out our Goodbye, 2020; Hello, 2021 questionnaire!
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Zoom Time for Two's kicks off January 12. Kids ages 2-3 can enjoy this four-week storytime series with puppets and songs-- and a parent or caregiver's help. Every Tuesday, January 12-February 2, 10:30 am. Register
Zoom All By Myself is a four-week storytime and craft session designed for kids ages 3-5. Over Zoom, kids can do the craft themselves using the supply list that is emailed the Friday prior to the first session. Every Wednesday, January 13-February 3, 11 am, Register; or 1:30 pm. Register
Parents get storytime too! Want to point your children to excellent books about race and equity? Join us on four Tuesday nights for the Parents After Bedtime Read Aloud Book Club. No preparation required on your part. Parents, enjoy the librarians reading aloud to you for a change. Starting Tuesday, January 26, 8 pm. Register.
Looking for gifts for the holidays or the New Year? Watch this video of Betsy Bird and Brian Wilson talking up the great picture books of 2020! or consult our list of 101 Great Books for Kids, featuring all genres for kids preschool age through 5th grade.
Winter break is a lovely time to curl up with fabulous family films recommended by Mr. Brian!
Need personal book recommendations for your kids? Fill out the Kid's LitMatch form!
Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad
 To those Evanstonians who celebrate Christmas, have a merry one! Enjoy this Poinsettia craft for decorating the tree or this Christmas wreath kids can make themselves. Like all holidays during the pandemic, plans for Christmas are different this year. Check out these suggestions for enjoying a holiday celebration to remember while still staying safe.
Días de Holly Jolly: Join Super Stolie in a bilingual holiday music adventure, complete with sing-alongs, spelling activities, jingle bells, and fun holiday baking. This prerecorded event will be available until December 30.
Some people celebrate December 25 as the first of The 12 Days of Christmas ending on January 6, called Epiphany or Twelfth Day or Día de los Reyes Magos. ¡Feliz Día de los Reyes Magos!
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