Community Calendar

Two hundred million years ago, a fearsome predator ruled the ancient seas, and a remarkable discovery in a crumbling cliff face is about to bring it back to life. Join Sir David Attenborough as he follows the fascinating detective story behind the discovery of an Ichthyosaur, a fish lizard older than the dinosaurs themselves. Combining the best characteristics of reptiles and mammals, these extraordinary creatures could regulate their own body temperature, possessed astonishingly acute eyesight, and were built for speed, formidable hunters in every sense. From the challenging extraction of the fossils to a stunning 3D reconstruction of the creature, Attenborough pieces together evidence from animals across the world to reveal how this ancient sea dragon truly lived.

This program is free and open to the public. It is approximately 53 minutes, rated PG and made possible through Kanopy.

Come One, Come All!
Books on First once again is sponsoring "Find Waldo Local" in Dixon, all the month of July. Based on the children's Where's Waldo books in which we seek and find Waldo and friends in various locations around town and the world within the pages, children from anywhere can seek and find Waldo in 25 locations around Dixon, IL, including the Parks District building, the Next Picture Show art gallery, Discover Dixon Main Street Chamber of Commerce HQ and other fun places including of course, Books on First.
We have lots of prizes for those participating, those seeing Waldo in at least 10 spots and those becoming eligible for entry into drawings for Where's Waldo books as well as contributed prizes from There's Fun Inside and more. Get involved in a Dixon-wide search for Waldo and experience the Local Small Businesses all around town. The hunt ends in a "Bye, Waldo" party on Saturday, 1 August!

Absolute Science hosts a hands-on, family-friendly science performance featuring dramatic foam experiments, fun physics demos, and interactive magic for all ages!

This show will even make your hair stand up! You will experience items disappearing in clear liquids with refraction oil and see the power of a Van De Graaff generator. But no show is complete without foam. LOTS of foam. With the foam experiment, children become stars.

This program is funded by the Friends of the DeKalb Public Library. It is free and open to families. No registration is required.

For more information, please contact Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Long before there were keyboards, young girls in colonial America picked up needles and thread to practice their letters, numbers, and stitches, and the samplers they left behind offer some of the most intimate glimpses into early American life we have today. This hands-on program begins with a brief introduction to the history of the sampler — what it was, who made it, and what it tells us about girlhood and daily life in 18th century America. Participants will then create their own burlap sampler using simple embroidery techniques inspired by that tradition, taking home a small piece of needlework history all their own.

Part of our America250 commemoration, this program invites you to connect with the past through the simple, timeless act of making something by hand. This free program is open to the public and recommended for ages 10 and up. All materials will be provided.

Long before screens and video games, children found joy in simple, clever pastimes that required nothing more than skill, balance, and a little friendly competition. Join us for a two-hour colonial game day featuring five games popular in 18th century America, all of which are as fun today as they were 250 years ago.
Try your hand at Hoops & Sticks, Graces, Hopscotch, Cup and Ball, and Checkers, and see which games you enjoys most. Adults are more than welcome to join in the fun! This free program is open to the public.

Before Madison Avenue, there was Chicago. At the turn of the 20th century, a remarkable confluence of immigrant entrepreneurs, creative mavericks, and freedom-seeking African Americans transformed the way America eats, shops, and thinks, and this documentary tells that story with wit, insight, and no small amount of nostalgia.

The City That Sold America reveals how Chicago gave the world fast food chains, soap operas, late night talk shows, Kleenex, and toothpaste, along with beloved icons like Tony the Tiger, the Jolly Green Giant, and the Pillsbury Doughboy. It also uncovers the origins of product placement, market research, and conscious branding, practices that still shape our daily lives today. A fascinating look at the city that quietly changed everything, and the bold, inventive people who made it happen. This free program is open to the public. It is approximately 68 minutes, rated PG and made possible through Kanopy.

Come One, Come All!
Books on First once again is sponsoring "Find Waldo Local" in Dixon, all the month of July. Based on the children's Where's Waldo books in which we seek and find Waldo and friends in various locations around town and the world within the pages, children from anywhere can seek and find Waldo in 25 locations around Dixon, IL, including the Parks District building, the Next Picture Show art gallery, Discover Dixon Main Street Chamber of Commerce HQ and other fun places including of course, Books on First.
We have lots of prizes for those participating, those seeing Waldo in at least 10 spots and those becoming eligible for entry into drawings for Where's Waldo books as well as contributed prizes from There's Fun Inside and more. Get involved in a Dixon-wide search for Waldo and experience the Local Small Businesses all around town. The hunt ends in a "Bye, Waldo" party on Saturday, 1 August!

It’s the fifth year of Stories & a Stroll with the DeKalb County Forest Preserve! Just like in years past, the DeKalb Public Library children's librarians will lead a short nature-themed story time, and then naturalists with the DeKalb County Forest Preserve will take us on an approximately 40-minute guided hike. This month’s hike is by a pond and wetlands at Afton Forest Preserve.

There are no bathrooms at Afton, so please plan ahead!

There is no registration required for this program. Families with children of all ages are welcome. Afton Forest Preserve is located at 13600 Crego Road DeKalb, IL 60115.

Please email lauraw@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350 with any questions.

Lean into your creative side and practice drawing wildlife step-by-step while learning about native species. This weekly series is geared for ages 6 through adult. Paper, pencils, and crayons provided. Bringing your own drawing supplies is encouraged! No session on June 19th or July 3rd.

Celebrate America 250 with a totally groovy blast from the past. Get ready to twist, swirl, and splash some serious colors! We will turn ordinary white bandanas into wearable masterpieces. Gather the family and let’s make a beautiful mess together.

White bandanas will be provided for dying or bring a new, white, cotton T-shirt of your own.

Do not wear your Sunday best, things are about to get messy and magnificent! You will be taking your tie-dye creations home, sealed in a plastic bag, with further instructions for rinsing and washing.

This event will be held outdoors. In the case of inclement weather, it will be moved inside to the Story Time and Activity Room. Intended for children ages 5-13. No registration is required.

For additional information please contact Stormy at stormye@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3310.