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