April 2026

Welcome to April at the Library,

A month to enjoy all things prose,

to celebrate beauty in diversity,

and hopes to see how a garden grows.

The 19th begins Library week.

Monday for your right to read,

Tuesday is for the workers there,

Wednesday for the Outreach needs,

Thursday is to share support,

And "Find Your Joy" says Mychal Threets

Thanks to the Master Gardeners of Lee County, we have plenty of free seeds available!

EVENTS

Youth Department

-Tot Tales will be meeting on April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

-Raising Readers will meet on April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

On April 14th there will be a birth to 5 screening with ROE from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Join us on April 23, for a Family Bingo Event from 2:45-4:45!

When visiting the Youth department, be sure to check out some of our latest additions, such as an upgraded kitchen and farmers market stand!

Adults:

No craft available for April, but please check back in May for the take-and-makes!

March 2026

Happy National Reading Month!

The goal for this month is to create not just a habit, but a love and enjoyment of reading for everyone. 25 million children in the U.S. lack proficient reading skills. Recent NAEP scores show that 31% of fourth-graders and 30% of eighth-graders are at the expected proficiency level.  54% of Adults in the U.S. read below a 6th-grade level; 21% of U.S. adults are functionally illiterate; and 40% of U.S. adults didn't open a book last year.  773 million adults and youth lack basic literacy skills worldwide. 

https://nces.ed.gov/

https://yougov.com

 A great way to cultivate a love for reading is by celebrating the different observations, birthdays, holidays, and heritages that occur each month.

March is a month full of celebrations. It's Women's History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Red Cross Month, National Craft Month, and MS Awareness Month.  There are also several literary celebrations on top of it being National Reading Month, beginning with Read Across America Day, which is celebrated on Dr. Seuss' birthday, March 2nd.

There's also National Grammar Day on the 4th, National Write Your Story Day and Pi Day on the 14th, Freedom of Information Day on the 16th, World Storytelling Day on the 20th, World Poetry Day on the 21st, and Tolkien Reading Day on the 25th.

Check out our catalog to find books highlighting these events:

Women's History

Irish-American Heritage Month

Fiction

Children's Storytime Hours:

Raising Readers: March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Tot Tales: March 4th,11th, 18th, and 25th  from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Join us for some family fun with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, on March 19th from 2:45-4:45

• "Amber Winslow's life has taken a serious turn for the worse. When an impulsive decision forces her to flee her former life carrying nothing but the clothes on her back, she heads to the sunny state of Arizona...and to the luxury accommodations of her grandmother's retirement community. But as soon as she sneaks her things into Seven Ponds-a place she technically doesn't qualify for and definitely can't afford-she finds that her Grandma Jade is about to be arrested for murder. With the help of the other retirees and her grandma's true crime podcast friends, Amber must work to find the real killer"--. Provided by publisher.

Monday Mysteries will meet on March 23rd at 1:30 to discuss "Murder Runs In the Family" by Tamara Berry

This month, Literary Merits will venture forth into the 7 Seas to see what treasure or tragedy awaits by diving into the history of Pirates.  

Meetup is on March 24th at 2:00 to discuss the Nonfictional History of Pirates.

Orbital book group will meet on March 24th at 6:00 to discuss what happens inside the libraries of Science Fiction and Fantasy 

 Craft Month wouldn't be complete without Take-and-Make Crafts. Stop in at the adult circulation desk for a kit to make your own wooden bookmark.  Only 25 kits are prepped, so it's a limit of 1 person while supplies last.

The first week of March is Read and Ebook week! If you haven't yet, you can explore what e-books we have to offer via Libby, Biblioboard, and The Palace Project

February 2026

                         

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that doesn't mean the library will be short on events!

In the Children's department, we're making an Olympian effort to ensure that stories are being read aloud and not just on World Read Aloud Day, February 4th, but throughout the weeks, months, and the entire year! Raising Readers storytime for ages 3-5 meets on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Tot Tales (ages 18 months - 3 years) meets on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

Join us

February 7th to celebrate "Take Your Child to the Library Day!" From 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., we will have Valentine-themed crafts and a fun photobooth to capture the fun! No library card in necessary, and this event is free!

Fo

Here's some news for you to peruse,

Thursday, February 19th

From 2:45 to 4:45

We will set the scene

For a Seuss-themed family event

That just has to be seen!

Parents are encouraged to stop in the youth department on Thursday, February 12th, from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 am to see what Birth to Five Illinois has to offer for children and families in our community.

For Teens ages 14-18: Do you like snacks? Are you in need of earning some volunteer hours? Would you like to share your ideas about what programs you'd like to see for teens? Want to discuss library things or join in on some fun activities? Did we mention snacks? If so, we hope you attend our First Teen Advisory Board Meeting on Monday, February 9th, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. If you are interested, please email our Young Adult Librarian, Brianna, at brianna.lenox@dixonpubliclibrary.org or give the library a call at (815) 284-7261.

Book Groups

Monday Mysteries will be meeting on Monday, February 23rd, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristin Perrin

Literary Merits meets up on February 24th at 2:00 p.m. for a discussion about James by Percival Everett

Orbital's meetup will be on February 24th, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Hench by Natalia Zina Walschotts

100 years ago, in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson created what was known as "Negro History Week" which brought Black history to the schools. This was a week where the achievements and heroism of Black people were to be shared and celebrated. This week became Black History month 50 years ago, in 1976. You can read more on Dr. Carter Woodson and the history of Black History here: Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future: The Continuing Importance of Black History Month

The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers by Daniel, Cheryl McKissack: Traces six generations from slavery to industry leadership, chronicling the McKissack family's enduring legacy in architecture and construction, highlighting their resilience, innovation, and contributions to landmark American projects amid ongoing challenges of racial discrimination and structural inequality.

Black History is Your History by Cassidy, Taylor: "With sparkling wit and humor-and lots of fun pop culture references-digital content creator Taylor Cassidy (creator of TikTok sensation "Fast Black History") takes readers on a journey through the Black history that she wishes she was taught in school. Weaving together research and personal anecdotes that illuminate each trailblazer's impact on her own life, Taylor paints a vibrant picture of twelve figures from Black history whose groundbreaking contributions shaped America as we know it today. From activists like Claudette Colvin and Marsha P. Johnson to literary giants Zora Neale Hurston and Maya Angelou, fashion designer Patrick Kelly, Olympic Gold medalist Tommie Smith, and more, this one-of-a-kind collection makes Black history relatable, relevant, and inspiring, so modern readers can recognize themselves within its pages. By the end, you'll want to proudly proclaim: "Black history is my history!""--. Provided by publisher.

Inventions to Count On: A Celebration of Black Inventors by Miroballi, Dana Marie: "From ice cream scoopers to extendable fire truck ladders, the inventions of Black innovators have changed history. Through playful art and rhyming text, readers follow a bustling modern family as they get ready for a beloved relative's 100th birthday. Woven into their activities are ten inventions that positively impact their daily lives-and ours! Both a clever counting book and a celebration of Black history, Inventions to Count On shines a light on forgotten pioneers like Alice H. Parker, who received a patent for her innovative home furnace design, as well as famous inventors like James West, who developed the tiny microphones used in current cell phone technology."--book jacket flap

February is Library Lover's Month, and if you stop by the Circulation desk in the adult department, you can fill out a card telling us why you love the library. Selected answers will be displayed on our entryway window!

Check out our display for American Heart Month and grab a flier from Sauk Valley CPR

The new American Heart Association cookbook by American Heart Association

Mayo Clinic on high blood pressure

Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure

February 26th is "Tell a Fairy Tale Day," and in Library Land, that means February must be Fairy Tale month!

Check out our display and see if you can find your favorite fairy tale.

Craft bags will not be out in February.  Extra time is needed to get them ready, and they will be out for March.  However, we do have a ready supply of coloring pages and plenty of puzzles you can take home from our puzzle exchange!

The Library will be closed on Monday, Febraury 16th in recognition of Presidents Day.

Don't forget to check out our e-resources for e-books, audiobooks, movies, and television!

Omni Libraries/Libby

Biblioboard

The Palace Project

Kanopy

January 2026

Our January displays are up and fully stocked with books perfect for starting off a new year.

We have whiteout conditions on display highlighting books with white covers.  You can get a jumpstart on a new hobby or slide back into an old one with our selection of books that celebrate National Hobby Month.  Get a "new" year of reading started with our display of books with "new" in the title.  Did you know that Isaac Asimov was such a legendary author that his birthday, January 2nd, is celebrated as National Science Fiction Day? We’ve got Sci-Fi on display this month, ready to take you "To Infinity and Beyond!"

It's also National Soup Month, and while Campbell's may have started that tradition back in 1984, you don't have to settle for canned soup when you make your own with the help of our selection of cookbooks. 

Did you know that the creator of the Campbell's Soup Kids, Grace Drayton, was an illustrator and cartoonist who also created the  "Dolly Dingle" paper dolls? https://www.historyinthemargins.com/2025/04/21/grace-drayton-illustrator-and-creator-of-an-american-icon/

A new year of programs is about to begin!   Starting the week of January 19th, the Youth Department will host a Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Tales for Tots, for ages 18 months through 3 years on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.   We have some fun family events lined up on January 22, February 19th, March 19th, and April 23rd, all from 2:45-4:45 p.m.

We are accepting entries for Kid Librarian of the Month.  Children in grades 2-6 are encouraged to apply.  We pick one name per month to be our Kid Librarian, and that child gets to design their own display of favorite books.  Their picture and their display will be shared.  You can call the library for more information or stop in the youth department to pick up an application.

Our YA department is home to the Mystery Question box.  Respondents were asked to pick between two options.  Last year's top answered questions were:  Mario vs. Luigi, binge watching television vs. one episode per week, and pancakes vs. waffles.  Questions are updated weekly.
 

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Introducing your newest e-reader. Palace allows you to access more of your library’s e-books and audiobooks in one place. Additionally, enjoy thousands of free titles on the Palace Bookshelf, which are yours to keep for as long as you’d like. Download the Palace app for Android or Apple iOS (in your app store) today!

 Don't forget you can stream movies and television with the library thanks to Kanopy!   Follow this link to see how Kanopy is offering to help you with your New Year's resolutions.  https://www.kanopy.com/en/category/51546

Mario vs. Luigi, binge watching vs. one episode per week and pancakes vs. waffles

Hear a crash? Or a bang? Or a clang? Rest assured it's most likely not a ghost in the basement.  It is, however, some much needed renovation. 

We are currently undergoing asbestos abatement. The area under renovation is completely sealed off during this process to ensure the safety of patrons and staff, but it might get a bit noisy at times. Thank you for your patience!

 

December 2025

Hello All! I know it's been a while since the last post, but never fear, DPL's Off The Shelf is still here!  It's been quite a busy year, and I wanted to just share some of what we have going on in December.

First of all, we must talk about books. We've added quite a few to the shelves this year, and if you need a "Holiday Read," here's a list of our latest Holiday titles. 

In no particular order we "present" to you:

"And To All A Good Bite" by Rosenfelt, David

"Christmas at the Women's Hotel: a Biedermeier Story" by Lavery, Daniel M.

"The Christmas House: An Amish Christmas novella" by Lewis, Beverly

"The Christmas Ring" by Kingsbury, Karen

"The Christmas Stranger" by Evans, Richard Paul

"A Ferry Merry Christmas" by Macomber, Debbie

"Five Golden Wings" by Andrews, Donna

"The Gingerbread Bakery" by Gilmore, Laurie

"Gingerbread Danger" by Flower, Amanda

"Good Spirits" by Borison, B. K.

"Holiday Ever After" by Grace, Hannah

"Holiday Romance" by Walsh, Catherine

"My Beloved: a Mitford novel" by Karon, Jan

"O, Deadly Night" by Delany, Vicki

"On a Midnight Clear: a 3-in-1 Christmas novella collection"

"Santa's Holiday Spectacular" by Michaels, Fern

"The Secret Christmas Library" by Colgan, Jenny

"Snow Kissed" by Thayne, RaeAnne

Follow this link to browse our other holiday titles.

 When you come into the library, be sure to check out what we've got on display this month.

If Digital is what you are looking for we are pleased to announce that the Dixon Public Library is live on The Palace Project.  Palace allows you to access more of your library’s e-books and audiobooks in one place. Additionally, you can enjoy thousands of free titles on the Palace Bookshelf, yours to keep for as long as you’d like. Download the Palace app for Android or Apple iOS (in your app store) today!

      

We also invite you to explore the Dixon Public Library's video collection via Kanopy! You can install Kanopy on your device or by visiting Kanopy.com. Then just follow the prompts to find the Dixon Public Library, and enter your library card number to create your account! For further assistance, you can always come in or give the library a call.

A seasonal favorite is right around the corner!  Join us Thursday, December 11th, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for Storytime with Mrs. Claus! We will also have cookies, crafts, and face painting in the youth department.

Our Fiber Arts Meet-Up is new this year and participation has been enthusiastic. The meet-up  takes place every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. No supplies are needed to join. 

 

For those who prefer to do solo-crafting, we also offer monthly Take-and-Make Crafts. Those however are in a limited supply and are first come first serve.

 This year, thanks to the United Way of Lee County, a Mini-Food Center has been installed behind the library and is open 24/7.   For those able to give, donations of items such as canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, pasta, rice, canned meats, cereal, cheese, eggs, yogurt, and fresh produce are always welcome. Any questions about the Mini-Food Center should be directed to United Way of Lee County (815) 284-3339.

To go along with the Mini-Food Center, the Dixon Public Library has been growing our own microgreens to share with the pantry.  Our hydroponic station and microgreens can be observed by the back entrance of the children's department.  Here you can find more information about microgreens and even some recipes.  We just ask that you don't touch. 

Til' next year,

Happy Reading!