Community Calendar

Gambling generates more revenue than spectator sports, theme parks, cruise ships and recorded music combined. Las Vegas casinos bring in an average of 5 billion dollars of revenue in a year. With all that money flying around it might occur to someone to cheat. It has, they do, and John P. Hopkins will show you some of the ways that it's done.

John presents a fascinating and often hysterical look at crooked card games, dice hustles, pickpockets, prop bets, and con games. He will give you an inside peek at these scams with actual demonstrations. Through John, you will meet advantage players, dips, and con artists such as George Devil (who worked the Mississippi River boats for over forty years), Elijah Skaggs, "Titanic Thompson" and Madame Mustache.

See the dazzling art of the “advantage” card player and the ace pick pocket. Get an inside look at some of the classic swindles such as “3 Card Monte”, “The Old Army Game” and “Short-Change Routines.” Find out the secrets of rigged carnival games and learn the truth behind the phrases, “You can’t cheat an honest man” and “There’s no such thing as a free lunch!”

This program is free and open to all; no registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

We are delighted to host an evening of cultural songs, both traditional and new compositions, after-hours in the library’s main lobby!

Aboud Agha was born in Syria and immigrated to Boston Mass at the age of twelve. He is an accomplished performer and composer of Arabic and Middle Eastern music. Aboud is a master of the Oud (Middle Eastern lute) and of many vocal styles from this part of the world. He has a master’s degree in musical performance from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in ethnomusicology from UCLA in California. He now teaches at the American University in Dubai.

Aboud has performed his music solo, in ensembles and with orchestras in America, Europe and the Middle East. He returns to visit the Midwest this summer after a concert at the library of congress in Washington D.C. Click here to see Aboud’s many Instagram posts.

Aboud will be accompanied on percussion by DeKalb native Sven Oscar Hansen. Sven was born to Norwegian immigrants in the American Midwest, where he raised four children and owned a greenhouse and florist shop. Sven has lived and studied in Norway and India and is a certified yoga teacher and sound healer. He creates and performs events incorporating music, poems, and sound healing. Sven has studied Vedic science and holds a degree in world literature from Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. He lives in DeKalb Illinois.

The evening also includes a brief discussion of this ethnic music and their interpretation of it. There will be an opportunity after the show to meet and chat with the artists.

This concert is free and open to all. Doors will open at 6:00 and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Enjoy our Award-Winning Farmers Market every Sunday at The Dole Mansion from 10am - 2pm!

Fantastic Variety of Farmers, Food Purveyors, Artisans, Food-Trucks, Live Music, Brunch Beverages and Complimentary childrens entertainment! Free Face Painting and Balloon Creations! Plus Roaming Characters ready to delight and take photos with! Come on out and spend a few hours with us for a Sunday Funday experience!!!

The Forest City Rainbow Chorus is proud to announce its 2025 fall concert, “Songs of Peace and Protest,” taking place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church

This soul-stirring performance invites audiences on a powerful musical journey, embracing themes of justice, hope, and resilience. With the guiding message “Let’s move the world toward a brighter, better tomorrow,” the concert will feature a compelling blend of anthems, ballads, and songs that have echoed through generations of activism and change.

As Rockford’s vibrant and inclusive LGBTQIA+ community choir, the Forest City Rainbow Chorus is a celebration of diversity in all its forms. With members of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences, the Chorus creates music that uplifts and unites—serving as a beacon of love, acceptance, and pride through song.
“Songs of Peace and Protest” promises an evening of heartfelt harmonies, thought-provoking lyrics, and the transformative power of community.

Prepare for swoon-worthy reads and lively conversations with fellow romance lovers! We meet each month to discuss our latest romantic read-- sharing thoughts, feelings, and favorite moments along the way. From steamy westerns and eerie sci-fi love stories to sweeping historical romances, our carefully chosen selections span the full spectrum of the genre. Whether you're a longtime romance reader or just starting to explore, you'll find your perfect match here!

September: Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
October: That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
November: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

Books are available in Adult Services. No registration is required. This book club is intended for adults.

For additional information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

Improve your knowledge of English and become more comfortable speaking in everyday situations. Practice basic English grammar concepts in conversation, learning how to ask and answer questions, expanding your vocabulary, and learning to understand the sounds of spoken English.

This class is intended for adult participants at a low intermediate level of speaking English or higher, but all are welcome to attend.

On September 2 this class will be held in the Bilder Family Meeting Room.

This program requires registration. There will be limited seats for unregistered patrons.

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

Microforests, also known as tiny forests or Miyawaki forests, are dense, native woodlands planted in small urban spaces. These fast-growing, biodiverse ecosystems have a significant impact on local climate. In addition to cooling, microforests sequester carbon at a higher rate than conventional forests due to their high planting density and rapid growth. This helps remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. They also improve air quality by filtering pollutants, and their dense root systems help manage stormwater runoff, reducing the strain on urban drainage systems during heavy rain.

Join us to explore how these compact green spaces can make a huge difference in creating cooler, healthier, and more resilient communities. Don't miss this chance to discover the power of planting small!

This program is intended for adults. It does not require registration.

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

Want some practical tips on how to rid your property of invasive tree species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle? Join Sarah Michehl from The Land Conservancy to learn how to control these species, as well as native tree and shrub replacement recommendations. Also, attendees will learn about the Conservation@Home program and how our local native flora can make a difference to the ecological health of McHenry County.

Dave’s program, The Story of Christopher Columbus and His Famous Ships, includes some history, some storytelling by Dave, some humor, and of course some controversy. The three famous ships will also be on display, as well as some artifacts related to the history of this famous explorer. Was Columbus a true genius of the seas, or just the luckiest guy ever to sail the earth? Come hear his story and decide for yourself.

Dave Dini is a modeler and member of the Stateline Area Modelers (SAM) Club from Durand, Il. Dave’s special interest is wooden ships, and over the years he has built 1/64 scale wooden models of Columbus’s three famous ships that he used to discover the New World. Dave welcomes questions and discussion at the end of his talk.

David Bingaman and Bob Logsdon, Lowden Gallery, Sept 1 - Oct 31

David Bingaman:

David Bingaman began his photographic journey in 1973 when he bought a Nikon camera and then backpacked throughout Europe and North Africa. Since that time, he has developed his skill in capturing landscapes as well as other natural and portrait subjects.

David lives on the Rock River in Dixon, IL with his wife Sarah where he pursues Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, and amazing sunsets. He also travels extensively in the U.S. as well as Africa and South America to capture interesting subjects.

He has displayed his work at many area galleries and won numerous awards including Best Landscape Award at the Franklin Grove Harvest Festival, Best of Photography at the Grand Detour Arts Festival, First Place in Digital Photography at The Woodlawn Arts Academy, and Best of Show at the About Face and the Winter Scenes and Holiday Dreams Exhibitions at TNPS.
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Bob Logsdon:

Bob Logsdon is an accomplished landscape photographer, residing in Grand Detour, Illinois. Bob is an extensive traveler who documents his traveling experience in his pictures. It is through photography that Bob introduces the viewer to his endless and challenging imagination