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Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | View in browser
Join the Evanston Public Library as we mark 150 years of service by participating in the 150 Years Summer Reading Challenge for children from birth to rising 5th graders. Come to the Main Library, Robert Crown Branch Library, or meet us outdoors at parks and events around Evanston this summer and:
- Pick up an activity card.
- Complete the 5 activities
- Turn in your card at either Evanston Library location and receive a free book!
- Compete a second card and get a prize!
All participants will be entered into weekly prize drawings and a Grand Prize drawing at the end of the Challenge! We will even have a special activity card for our very youngest patrons.
Summer Reading Kick Off Party Join us at the Evanston Public Library Robert Crown Branch to welcome the start of our summer reading program! Sunday, June 11, 1 pm, Reading Garden, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
District 65 Summer Reading Bingo! Are your kids going for BINGO this year with your District 65 summer reading? We've got the whole list here to review so you can reserve whichever book is next in your child's quest. We'll have the Spanish lists soon!
Also, here's the bingo link to both bingo cards if you still need it!
Need some ideas for the reading activities on your Summer Reading Card? Get some great new-to-you titles off these Illinois Kid's Choice award lists:
Why the Sky is High Live Storytime! With local artist Geraldine Martinez-Benz, we'll experience a folktale from the Philippines and make and learn about a Jeepney (Philippine bus) and how they're part of the Philippine culture. Learn a few Filipino words too! Saturday, May 27, 2 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: Register.
Family Storytime and Craft! Join us for stories, songs and a fun craft. Great for working parents. Books appropriate for ages 3-7; all are welcome. Wednesday, June 7, 6:30 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Jammie Time (pre-K to grade 2) Let us do your bedtime reading for you! Visit the library in your jammies, bring your favorite stuffy, and listen to stories, sing songs, and have fun. All family members welcome. Thursday, June 8, 6:30 pm, Children's Room, Main Library: More Information.
Singsong (ages 1 and up) Join Miss Jess for a fun, once a month, drop-in set of songs! Hear her play multiple stringed instruments! Stay until the end for a chance to strum Miss Jess' instruments! Saturday, June 10, 9:30 am, Garden Gates, Main Library: More Information.
Instrument Petting Zoo (all ages) Join members of Sigma Alpha Iota Evanston Alumnae as they share their instruments and love of music with us! Children and their families will learn about the instruments of the orchestra and get a chance to try them out. Children who stay and try them all will earn a prize! Sunday, June 25, 2 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: More Information.
Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids (grades 3-5) This month we will be discussing Rob Harrell's graphic novel, Batpig #1: When Pigs Fly. Stop by the children's desk to pick up a copy to read beforehand. Must be an Evanston resident or attend school in District 65 to participate. Saturday, May 27, 11 am, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
Word Rangers Writing Club (grades 3-5) Come to the library to discuss writing, find new story inspiration, grow your creative writing skills, and meet others who share a passion for writing! Sunday, May 28, 2 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
DIY Japanese Woodblock Prints Celebrate AAPI month by creating your own woodblock print! Take inspiration from the Edo period style or your own imagination! Sunday, May 28, 2 pm, Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
Tween Roleplaying Club (grades 3-5) Come explore faraway fantasy lands for treasure and triumph through a variety of tabletop roleplaying games. Here, we will teach participants how to make characters, roleplay, keep track of stats and have a great time playing and exploring new worlds through a variety of games. Saturday, June 3, 4 pm, Multiple Rooms, Robert Crown Branch Library: Register.
Dime Dance Off (all ages) Join EPL and Mr. Marcus from Dime Dance for another evening of hip-pop and other grooves! The library will be there to support with free book giveaways and swag and some craft activities for the really little ones once they tire themselves out! Friday, June 9, 5 pm, Brummel Park: More Information.
Creative Writing Open Mic (grades 2-6:) Young poets and storytellers are invited to share their poetry, writing, or other spoken word piece in a safe and supportive setting! Spectators also welcome. Each child may share for a maximum of 3 minutes. Sunday, June 11, 2 pm, Garden Gates, Main Library: Register.
Shavuot is a Jewish Holiday celebrated 7 weeks after Passover. The holiday commemorates the gift of the Torah to the Jewish people. In Israel, this is also the time when the grain harvests wind down and the fruit harvest begins! So it is a celebration of the First Fruits, too. Many people decorate their homes with flowers and eat delicious fruit. Because the Torah says that Israel is "flowing with milk and honey" some Jewish people enjoy celebrating by eating dairy foods!
Memorial Day can be an exciting beginning to the summer to some and a more somber days to others. It is a day where we honor those who have died in US wars. Which ever way your family decides to celebrate the holiday, we hope that your day brings you peace and joy.
Here a few things you can do to honor Memorial Day:
Pride Month is a celebration of our LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more: Nonbinary and Pansexual) community! Celebrated every June, Pride Month is a great time to show your family's support for LGBTQIA+ friends, family, community members and library employees! Join us as we celebrate our diverse community:
First, use these booklists to find a great book for your child:
Then, come to our fun events:
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DIY Mini Pride Floats Pick Up Tiny float, big celebration! Pick up a kit with everything you need to make your own pride float or join us for a drop in and make it here. Sunday, June 4, All Day, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
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DIY Mini Pride Float Drop In Tiny float, big celebration! Join us as we have snacks, listen to music and make mini Pride floats! Thursday, June 8, 4 pm, Multipurpose Room, Robert Crown Branch: More Information.
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Drag Queen Storytime! Celebrate PRIDE month, by joining us for a fun filled family story time with the fabulous Coco Sho'Nell! Saturday, June 24, 11 am, Reading Garden, Robert Crown Branch Library: More Information.
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Drag Queen Bingo! Celebrate PRIDE month, by joining us for a fun filled family friendly game of BINGO with the fabulous Coco Sho'Nell! Stay and play for the chance to win some fun prizes! Saturday, June 24, 3 pm, Community Meeting Room, Main Library: Register.
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