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!