Community Calendar

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.

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin did far more with electricity than flying a kite in a storm? His experiments with electricity were groundbreaking. He even invented many of the electrical terms we still use today, like charge and conductor.

In this month’s Family Fun Science, we’ll honor the contributions of the first internationally great American scientist, Benjamin Franklin. We’ll learn about the science Franklin discovered: circuits. We'll even build a circuit connected by a key.

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

The program is limited to the first 30 children to arrive.

For additional information, please email Laura at lauraw@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
​
I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

Enjoy a staff guided hike and learn how you can contribute to science by participating in the City Nature Challenge! We will take a slow pace as we notice all the living things along our trail and use the free app iNaturalist to help us identify plants. The event will begin with a brief indoor presentation, followed by a group wander on the trails to practice identifying spring ephemeral plants.

What is City Nature Challenge? It’s a worldwide community science effort to capture pictures of plants, animals, and fungi to map the biodiversity of our cities. All posts made on iNaturalist, a free app and website, count toward our city team’s total in the competition between more than 400 cities. When you participate, you connect with and learn about nature while contributing to scientific research worldwide! City Nature Challenge is organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and California Academy of Sciences. The Rock River Valley team is organized by Severson Dells Nature Center.

This event is free and your RSVP is appreciated. The event is designed for ages 8 and older, but all people are welcome. Trails are unpaved and may be muddy. If we could offer accommodations to support your visit, please contact info@natureattheconfluence.com or call 815-200-6910. RSVP on our website: https://natureattheconfluence.com/event/beginner-plant-identification-hike/

Vicki Peterson, founding member of the groundbreaking pop-rock band The Bangles (“Eternal Flame,” “Walk Like An Egyptian”), joins forces with John Cowsill, longtime drummer and vocalist for The Beach Boys and a founding member of the beloved family band The Cowsills. Together, they present Long After The Fire, their debut Americana album featuring previously unreleased songs written by John’s late brothers, Barry and Bill Cowsill. These gems, blending Everly Brothers-style harmony with Roy Orbison-esque storytelling, are a heartfelt tribute to the lasting power of music and family.

This intimate performance offers more than just incredible music. It’s a behind-the-scenes journey into the songs, the stories, and the lives behind the legends. You'll hear new tracks from the album as well as unforgettable classics from The Bangles and The Cowsills, delivered by two artists whose legacies helped shape the American soundscape.

Make Your Night at the Opera House Even More Special: Enhance your evening with our Marquee Access Experience for an additional $15! Enjoy early entry and a reserved area before the show and during intermission, complete with your own bartender and bento box of snacks that can be taken to your seat. It’s the perfect way to relax, mingle, and elevate your visit in comfort and style. Spots are limited for this exclusive offering, secure yours while they last!­­­­­­­­­­­­

Look for the add-on ticket in the checkout!

TICKETS: $40.00 A Seats | $35.00 B Seats (Including Fees)

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

Enjoy a three-day motorcoach trip from NIU to Shipshewana, Indiana Countryside Amish Adventure. Motorcoach transportation, 2 nights lodging, 4 meals, guided tour of Indiana's Amish country, Amish homestead dinner, visit Nationally recognized Shipshewana Trading Place & downtown Shipshewana.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

Join us each month for a fun and relaxed art or craft class designed especially for older adults. Each session features a simple, hands-on project — no experience necessary! Come enjoy creativity, conversation, and the satisfaction of making something to take
home. Class costs range from $10-25 depending on project.

April Project: Pages From a Pulp: A Handmade Paper Workshop
Create beautiful handmade paper and transform it into personalized mini books
or greeting cards in this fun, hands-on workshop.