Community Calendar

Have you ever wanted to paint the night sky? In this hands-on workshop, participants will create their own galaxy painting using acrylic paint and simple sponging and spattering techniques to build layers of color, depth, and stars. No art experience necessary — just a willingness to be creative. All supplies provided. This free program is open to ages 10 and up. No registration required.

Join us for a virtual live tour of America's Founding at the National Constitution Center, bringing one of history's most pivotal stories directly to you. In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, this immersive exhibit traces the full arc of the nation's birth: from the earliest sparks of revolution to the creation of the documents that would define a new country. Rare original artifacts and interactive experiences bring the debates, struggles, and ideals of the founding era to life in vivid detail. Don't miss your chance to walk through history from wherever you are and explore the stories and ideas that shaped a nation and still resonate today.

The tour is free and open to the public. It will be presented with in-person and virtual options. To attend virtually, register at: https://forms.gle/SJUboNeFST9E3TXe9.

In this hands-on fiber art workshop, participants will create their own yarn wall hanging using lark's head knots, a simple technique that works beautifully at any skill level. With endless possibilities in color, shape, and design, you'll craft a piece that is uniquely your own, whether bold and vibrant or soft and understated. All supplies provided. This free program is open to the public. Recommended for ages 9 and up. No registration required.

From prestigious museums and blockbuster films to video games and toys, dinosaurs have always fascinated us. But why? Why Dinosaurs? follows dino-obsessed teen James Pinto and his filmmaker father on a globe-spanning journey to find out. Along the way, they interview world-renowned paleontologists, dig up 150-million-year-old bones, track down the filmmakers behind Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, and encounter dinosaur fanatics of every walk of life, including the owner of the world's largest dinosaur toy collection.
This free program is open to the public. It is approximately 57 minutes, not rated, and made possible through PBS.

What does it mean to be American? Join us for a hybrid community book club exploring that question through the lens of the American Revolution. The evening opens with a screening of Hamilton's America, a PBS Great Performances documentary that brings history to life through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda's award-winning musical, followed by an informal group discussion.

This month's featured title is Hamilton and Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship by L.M. Elliott. Drawing from historical journals and letters, New York Times bestselling author L.M. Elliott weaves a richly detailed tale about the extraordinary Peggy Schuyler, the sister who has always existed in the shadows of the fiery Angelica and sweet Eliza, and her unlikely friendship with Alexander Hamilton. Set against the chaos of the Revolutionary War, Peggy finds herself navigating Loyalists and Patriots, spies and traitors, and carefully coded letters, all while her bravery and intelligence are tested at every turn. Perfect for fans of the hit musical Hamilton.

Copies of the book are available at the McNabb Branch. This free program runs approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and is available in-person and virtually via Zoom. To register for Zoom, visit: t.ly/Vco6x.

What does it mean to be American? Join us for a hybrid community book club exploring that question through the lens of the American Revolution. The evening opens with a walkthrough of the U.S. Constitution by Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, followed by an informal group discussion.

This month's featured title is This Is Our Constitution by Khizr Khan. Born and raised in Pakistan with few of the fundamental rights Americans hold dear, Khan immigrated to the United States and became a citizen deeply passionate about the Constitution's guarantees and protections. In this book, he invites young readers on a personal journey through America's founding document, not merely a piece of parchment, but a living promise of our deepest democratic values. Copies of the book are available at the Condit Branch. This free program runs approximately 45 minutes and is available in-person and virtually via Zoom. To register for Zoom, visit: t.ly/nrYvS.

Join us Friday, August 28, for an afternoon of wine, raffles, prizes, shopping, & socializing in celebration of gardening, community, and the joy of the season. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a master naturalist, a 4-Her, this garden social fundraising event supports all Illinois Extension Unit 3 programs in Lake and McHenry County.

Event Details
Event Admission — tickets can be purchased for $35 per person in advance on our website.

Raffle and Door Prizes — purchase tickets for a chance to win some great themed prizes.

Live Demonstrations — seasonal planter building.

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.