Community Calendar

The deadly siege at the United States Capitol in 2021 exposed the consequences of widespread anger and baseless conspiracy theories. At the same time, the disappearance of more than 2,000 newspapers nationwide has revealed a direct link between the decline of trusted local news and the rise of dangerous misinformation. As reliable sources vanish, many communities are left without accurate, independent reporting, deepening a national misinformation crisis.

News Matters explores this cause-and-effect relationship by examining the erosion of America’s newspaper industry and its implications for democratic institutions. The film follows the high-profile effort to save The Denver Post, highlighting the broader struggle to preserve local journalism at a time when its role in American democracy is increasingly at risk. The film is 1 hour, and 24 minutes , not rated and made possible through Kanopy. This program is free and open to the public.

Participants will design a striking shamrock silhouette with chalk pastels, learning blending techniques in this hands-on project perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. All supplies will be provided. The program is free and open to the public, and is geared for adults, and youth ages eight and older.

Learning English can be difficult, and pronouncing the words correctly is a real challenge. In this six-week workshop you’ll learn to pronounce consonant and consonant blend sounds, practice hearing and saying the 20 vowel sounds of English, and learn how to pronounce common prefixes and suffixes.

This program is for adults. Registration is required.

For more information or to register, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

Participants are invited to enjoy a creative, hands-on craft workshop decorating miniature wooden birdhouses. Designed for adults and youth ages eight and up, this program includes all supplies. Attendees will have the chance to personalize their birdhouses, perfect as charming tabletop décor or whimsical additions to a fairy garden. The program is free and open to the public.

Do you love talking about movies? Are you a fan of movies from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s? This is where you belong. Movie trivia, lemonade, coffee and popcorn served.

This Friday we watch A League of Their Own (1992). As America's stock of athletic young men is depleted during World War II, a professional all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker Walter Harvey (Garry Marshall). Competitive sisters Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty) spar with each other, scout Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) and grumpy has-been coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) on their way to fame. Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell co-star as two of the sisters' teammates.2h 8m.

This movie is intended for adults. It is rated PG. Registration is not required. This program is sponsored by Garlisch Automotive Services and is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

There are different types of regional candies across the US. Learn about certain candies; and more importantly taste them! At the end of the tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to vote and decide which candy you liked the best.

This program is for tweens and teens in grades 6-12. Registration is not required, but the tasting is first come, first served as supplies are limited.

This program is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation’s anniversary throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Steven at stevenm@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3400.

Coyotes are one of the most misunderstood species in Illinois and the U.S. They conjure up mixed feelings of fear, anger, and, for some, wild beauty. There are many stories about coyotes, and some circles believe them to be the jokester of the wild. Many of these feelings depend on who you are, where you live, and even what you do for a living.

Coyotes are blamed for many things they do and do not do in our spaces. They nonetheless receive the award for the most likely to succeed, despite the human population. We have all but paved the road for the coyote’s historical expansion.

Come and learn more about this incredible animal and what you can expect from them in your neighborhood. Wild Neighbors: Coyotes will be presented by Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Peggy Anesi.

*Registration is required! To register, click here: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/wild-neighbors-coyotes

The free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will again be available at the DeKalb Public Library and is for people with low to moderate incomes. AARP Foundation Tax -Aide volunteers will be available by appointment most Saturdays from February 7 through April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Be sure to bring a photo ID and all necessary tax documents, as well as last year’s return forms.

Please sign up for an appointment by contacting Frances at (815) 991-9418.

For more information, please contact the reference desk at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150 or at reference@dkpl.org.

Participants are invited to bring a favorite book from home, or select one from the library’s collection, and read aloud to Hobo. This relaxed, supportive experience helps build reading skills and confidence while making reading fun. The program is free and open to the public.

Join us as we celebrate the diverse and talented authors of McHenry County. Local authors will be on hand to display and discuss their latest work. Whether you’re a book lover, aspiring author, or simply curious about the literary scene in McHenry County, this is an event you won’t want to miss! A list of participating authors with be available starting March 4 on our website.
Date: Saturday/March 21
Time: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Are you a local author? Would you like an exhibit table at our Local Author Showcase? If you live in Woodstock, McHenry County, have a close connection to the community, or have books set in McHenry County, consider being part of our Local Author Showcase. Self-published authors welcome. Contact katieb@woodstockil.info or carriez@woodstockil.info for an application and more information. Deadline to register is February 27.