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Tuesday, April 28, 2026

May 2026






May is "Get Caught Reading" month, and what better place to get caught reading than at the library!

Check out our various displays and our shelves to find your next adventure.


The theme for this year's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together. The goal is to highlight the role of AANHPI communities by sharing their stories and reflecting on their contributions to American History.


For further reading, check our catalog



Children's programming is on hold in May as we prepare for Summer Reading.




Sign up for Summer Reading begins May 11th!


We are getting prepped for all kinds of fun events, so stay posted to our socials to see what's going on when.





Create a Scent and Memory Garden with us on May 20th from 4:00-7:00 PM. Patrons will receive 3 pots and can choose from a selection of plants. Open to adult patrons, supplies are limited, and registration is required. Sign up either in person or by calling us at 815-284-7261, from May 4th to May 15th




In some circles, April 30th is considered May Eve. This is said to be when Fairies will gather on hilltops to battle each other over crops. Or it could be to cause mischief and mayhem, as fairies are wont to do. This is a night for people to remain indoors. Spreading yellow May flowers, such as marigolds and primroses, across window ledges and along the threshold, and placing branches from a rowan or willow tree above the door, is suggested for added security against a fae invasion. May 1st brings us Beltane, or May Day, which was a festival of fire and flowers, the midpoint between Spring and Summer.
For more information on May Eve and May Day, you can check out these links:










This stunning compendium explores the history & mythology of fairies and offers information on how/where to find these magical beings. From boggarts and pixies to weeping women, water nymphs, moon maids, and more, this book organizes fairies by habitat and offers tips on how to seek out the mystical beings in our midst. Complete with interactive elements like quizzes ("Which Type of Fairy Are You?"), crafts ("Build Your Own Fairy Garden" and "Make Your Own Fairy Potion"), and recipes ("Brew Your Own Fairy Tea"), there's endless fun to be had while on the search for fairy folk.




Fairies are all around us - you just need to look carefully and you'll see signs of them everywhere. Written and compiled by the esteemed botanist Professor Arbour, prepare to be amazed as we discover everything there is to know about the natural history of fairies.



Join sisters Selene and Gaia on a magical adventure to celebrate the 8 festivals of the Pagan Wheel of the Year.


Party with ghosts at SAMHAIN, decorate a tree with forest animals at YULE, dance with elves and fairies on BELTANE, and enjoy some midsummer fun at LITHA!


Bursting with beautiful illustrations and 40 engaging activities, this book invites young readers to experience nature's magic all year long. Families can enjoy crafting, baking and celebrating together, from carving pumpkins and making wish trees to baking bread and making leaf prints.


This is the perfect way to make every pagan festival feel extra special!


Support your library by joining the Teen Advisory Board at Dixon Public Library. This group will meet once per quarter to discuss a variety of library-related content. This includes ideas for teen programming, library strengths and improvements, media trends, and more. Snacks are included! The next meeting will be on Monday, May 4th. Join today to earn volunteer hours and have your voice be heard.




Book Groups:

This month, Monday Mysteries will meet on the 18th due to Memorial Day. The goal for this month is to read a mystery written by a local (give it a 150-mile radius) author, for example: Julia Buckley, Julie Hyzy, Terri Reid, Shannon Bailey, Alex Bledsoe, Kathleen Ernst, and Annelise Ryan. Meeting time is at 1:30 p.m.

In recognition of Short Story Month, Literary Merits gets to read a short story collection of the patron's choice. Books to look for include: "The Souvenir Museum": stories by McCracken, Elizabeth, "You Like It Darker": stories by King, Stephen, "Seasonal Work": stories by Lippman, Laura, and Table for Two": fictions by Towles, Amor

It's a choose-your-own month for orbital, where you can pick your own book to read, so long as it's a part of the Sci-Fi genre.

Suggested Titles:



Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots: The Boys meets My Year of Rest and Relaxation in this smart, imaginative, and evocative novel of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, told with razor-sharp wit and affection, in which a young woman discovers the greatest superpower--for good or ill--is a properly executed spreadsheet.



Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow and Reds like him, are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

 


"Four years ago, two girls went looking for monsters on Bodmin Moor. Only one came back... Lee thought she'd lost Mal, but now she's miraculously returned. But what happened that day on the moors? And where has she been all this time? Mal's reappearance hasn't gone unnoticed by MI5 officers either, and Lee isn't the only one with questions. Julian Sabreur is investigating an attack on top physicist Kay Amal Khan. This leads Julian to clash with agents of an unknown power - and they may or may not be human. His only clue is grainy footage, showing a woman who supposedly died on Bodmin Moor. Dr Khan's research was theoretical; then she found cracks between our world and parallel Earths. Now these cracks are widening, revealing extraordinary creatures. And as the doors crash open, anything could come through."-- From publisher's description.




Tuesday, March 31, 2026

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!


















Thursday, February 26, 2026

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. 



 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:







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



















Monday, February 2, 2026

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










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!






















May 2026

May is "Get Caught Reading" month, and what better place to get caught reading than at the library! Check out our various displ...