July 2026

 

It's "beach read" season once again! 

Don't be fooled by that marketing phrase; a "beach read" does not necessarily mean it takes place at a beach.  A beach read generally consists of light, fluffy themes. An easy escape that is quick to read while on vacation, whether you are at the beach, camping, or just staying at home.

 

Sandwich: a novel by Newman, Catherine

• While on her family's yearly escape to Cape Cod, Rocky, sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, relives the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers, coming face-to-face with her family's history and future and accepting she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

Pink Sand Summer by Evans, Chassity

• "On a pink-sand island where everyone knows your story, one summer brings Lucy face-to-face with the love that once broke her and a man who makes her question what comes next." -- Publisher marketing.

The Someday Garden by Poston, Ashley

• "The new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip. When Sophie Drear plans her escape to coastal Maine for the summer-for a temporary job revitalizing the storied grounds at Lilymoor House-she doesn't expect to fall in love. But she does: With the beguiling land, the fragrant flowers, and the towering hedge maze. With the quirky staff and the enigmatic woman who owns the place. And then, the door appears. Never in the same place twice, it leads her to a secret, and unfinished, garden with a frustrated thundercloud of a man trapped inside. This mysterious garden is not the only sign that the future of Lilymoor is unstable: the foliage resists Sophie's careful nurturing, vines threaten to strangle the hedges, and the manor's owner has wild ideas about who will take over when she retires-including her inconveniently attractive nephew who is also there just for the summer. Despite herself, Sophie has come to care for the residents of Lilymoor just as much as she cares for its grounds. With the help of one man on the outside of the secret garden, and one man on the inside, she might be the only person who can figure out exactly what Lilymoor needs to bloom once more"-- Provided by publisher.

July is Anti-Boredom month, and what better way to beat boredom than with a book or two or three...

    

Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self by Zomorodi, Manoush

Unlock Your Imagination

The Book of Outdoor Games : 50+ Unplugged Activities for Kids & Families by Philpott, Emily

We're ready to celebrate the 250th birthday of America this July with a display featuring books like

Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick

We The People by Jill Lepore

Duty, Honor, Country & Life: A Tribute to the American Spirit by William H. McRaven.

                                                                   EVENTS:

Another program for the adults!  Join us on Thursday, July 2nd from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm for Rock Painting.  This event takes place a day before International Drop a Rock Day, when people leave painted rocks in public places for others to find.

The Dixon Public Library, along with The Next Picture Show, present: Passport to Illinois Art Exhibition, celebrating the spirit of America through the lens of local creativity! Showcasing original artwork that captures the essence of Americana: heritage, landscapes, community, patriotism, and the stories that define us. Exhibition Dates: June 15, 2026 - July 31, 2026

The Summer Reading Program continues until July 17th, so

don't forget to keep us updated on your reading progress!

Check our website to stay updated on all the events happening in our children's department.

BOOK GROUPS:

Monday Mysteries

July 27th at 1:30pm: Choose your own culinary mystery.

Literary Merits

July 28th at 2:00pm: Choose a book turned into a movie

Orbital

July 28th at 6:00pm: Choose your own epic fantasy

The Library will be closed on July 3rd and 4th

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

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!

Presidents Day

Believe it or not, President's Day is not just a day to get a great deal on a new mattress. Aside from all those delicious ads promising great deals the day is actually one for the Presidents.

President's Day falls on the 3rd Monday of February. Originally instituted on February 22, in celebration of Washington's birthday, it was later moved and set as a federal holiday in commemoration of all the U.S. Presidents. 

https://ch.usembassy.gov/holiday-calendar/presidents-day-honoring-u-s-presidents-washington-lincoln/

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/presidents-day

https://www.escalontimes.com/209-living/presidents-day-actually-goes-by-another-official-name/

 

Joe Biden: the life, the run, and what matters now by Osnos, Evan

-- The New Yorker Former vice president Joseph R. Biden Jr. has been called both the luckiest man and the unluckiest--fortunate to have sustained a fifty-year political career that reached the White House but also marked by deep personal losses and disappointments that he has suffered. Yet even as Biden's life has been shaped by drama, it has also been powered by a willingness, rare at the top ranks of politics, to confront his shortcomings, errors, and reversals of fortune. As he says, "Failure at some point in your life is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable. "His trials have forged in him a deep empathy for others in hardship--an essential quality as he addresses Americans in the nation's most dire hour in decades. Blending up-close journalism and broader context, Evan Osnos, who won the National Book Award in 2014, draws on his work for The New Yorker This portrayal illuminates Biden's long and eventful career in the Senate, his eight years as Obama's vice president, his sojourn in the political wilderness after being passed over for Hillary Clinton in 2016, his decision to challenge Donald Trump for the presidency, and his choice of Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. Osnos ponders the difficulties Biden will face if elected and weighs how political circumstances, and changes in the candidate's thinking, have altered his positions. In this nuanced portrait, Biden emerges as flawed, yet resolute, and tempered by the flame of tragedy--a man who just may be uncannily suited for his moment in history

Joe Biden: a life of trial and redemption by Witcover, Jules

Distinguished political columnist and veteran Washington correspondent Jules Witcover brings us an honest, meticulously researched, and up-to-date biography of one of America’s boldest vice presidents: Joe Biden. A fascinating portrait of an outspoken man of courage and strength who rose up from working-class roots and has persevered over numerous personal and professional setbacks, Joe Biden is a classic political Cinderella story that gives readers a close-up look at this sometimes explosive and controversial politician and his role in the Obama White House.

Promise me Dad: a year of hope, hardship, and purpose by Biden, Joseph R.

A deeply moving memoir about the year that would forever change both a family and a country.

The heart of a great nation: timeless wisdom from Ronald Reagan by Reagan, Ronald

"With a foreword from Senator Marco Rubio, a stirring collection of Ronald Reagan's most inspiring speeches, offering his timeless wisdom and guidance for our day. In his 1989 farewell address, Ronald Reagan said, "I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation--from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in principles that have guided us for two centuries." The Heart of a Great Nation brings together Reagan's most powerful speeches, as relevant to our chaotic world as they were when he first gave them. In a period of our country's history consumed by economic stagnation, national instability, and the looming threat of communism, Reagan spoke directly to the hearts of everyday Americans. His wisdom on matters of family, freedom, and nationhood helped guide the country back to its founding principles and ushered in an era of prosperity and national pride. Today, as we find our country treading similar ground, Reagan's wisdom speaks to us once again, offering guidance to everyone looking to navigate the present and remember of the legacy of this great nation--which can one day be reclaimed"-- Provided by publisher.

The presidents: noted historians rank America's best--and worst--chief executives by Lamb, Brian

Offers a complete ranking of United States presidents from best to worst based on their leadership skills, moral authority, and ability to persuade the public.

The hardest job in the world: the American presidency by Dickerson, John

In this eye-opening book, John Dickerson draws on history and contemporary times to show why we need to reevaluate how we view the presidency, how we choose our presidents, and what we expect from them once they are in office. Think of the presidential campaign as a job interview. Are we asking the right questions? Are we looking for good campaigners or good presidents? Once a candidate gets the job, what can they do to thrive? Drawing on research and interviews with current and former White House staffers, Dickerson defines what the job of the president actually entails, identifies the things that only the President can do, and analyzes how presidents in history have managed the burden. What qualities make for a good president? Who did it well? Why did Bill Clinton call the White House "the crown jewel in the American penal system"? And what lessons can we draw from past successes and failures? Ultimately, in order to evaluate candidates properly for the job, we need to adjust our expectations, and be more realistic about the goals, the requirements, and the limitations of the office."-- Provided by publisher.

Accidental presidents: eight men who changed America by Cohen, Jared

"The strength and prestige of the American presidency have waxed and waned since George Washington. Accidental Presidents looks at eight men who came to the office without being elected to it. It demonstrates how the character of the man in that powerful seat affects the nation and world. Eight men have succeeded to the presidency when the incumbent died in office. In one way or another, they vastly changed our history. Only Theodore Roosevelt would have been elected in his own right. Only TR, Truman, and LBJ were re-elected. John Tyler succeeded William Henry Harrison who died 30 days into his term. He was kicked out of his party and became the first president threatened with impeachment. Millard Fillmore succeeded esteemed General Zachary Taylor. He immediately sacked the entire cabinet and delayed an inevitable Civil War by standing with Henry Clay's compromise of 1850. Chester Arthur, the embodiment of the spoils system, was so reviled as James Garfield's successor that he had to defend himself against plotting Garfield's assassination; but he reformed the civil service. Andrew Johnson, who succeeded our greatest president, sided with remnants of the Confederacy in Reconstruction. Theodore Roosevelt broke up the trusts. Calvin Coolidge silently cooled down the Harding scandals and preserved the White House for the Republican Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression. Truman surprised everybody when he succeeded the great FDR and proved an able and accomplished president. Lyndon B. Johnson was named to deliver Texas electorally. He led the nation forward on Civil Rights but failed on Vietnam. Accidental Presidents adds immeasurably to our understanding of the power and limits of the American presidency in critical times"-- Provided by publisher.

Presidential misconduct: from George Washington to today

The only comprehensive study of American presidents' misconduct and the ways in which chief executives and members of their official families have responded to the charges brought against them, this new edition is designed to serve the same purpose as the original 1974 report: to provide the historical context and metric against which the actions of the current administration may be assessed.

The other Madisons: the lost history of a president's Black family by Kearse, Bettye

"A descendant of a slave named Coreen, and-according to the oral tradition-her owner, President James Madison, finally shares her family's story."-- Provided by publisher.

Author in chief: the untold story of our presidents, and the books they wrote by Fehrman, Craig

Based on a decade of research and reporting, Author in Chief tells the story of America's presidents as authors--and offers a delightful new window into the public and private lives of our highest leaders.

America's presidents: National Portrait Gallery by National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution)

"The nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House"-- Provided by publisher.

U.S. presidents: the Oval Office all-stars! by Green, Dan

Profiles the presidents of the United States, from George Washington to Joe Biden, and includes facts and trivia about each president, including major achievements and personality quirks.

Presidential Fictional Fun

Hope never dies by Shaffer, Andrew

Vice President Joe Biden is fresh out of the Obama White House and feeling adrift when his favorite railroad conductor dies in a suspicious accident, leaving behind an ailing wife and a trail of clues. To unravel the mystery, "Amtrak Joe" re-teams with the only man he's ever fully trusted-- the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama. Together they'll plumb the darkest corners of Delaware, traveling from cheap motels to biker bars and beyond, as they uncover the sinister forces advancing America's opioid epidemic. -- adapted from back cover

Hope rides again by Shaffer, Andrew

When former President Barack Obama's cell phone is stolen and the perpetrator winds up dead, Obama and his vice-president Joe Biden investigate, uncovering a conspiracy in the heart of Chicago.

Presidential Pets

Who named their pony Macaroni? : poems about White House pets by Singer, Marilyn

Marilyn Singer returns to presidential poems with this new picture book celebrating our leaders' furry, feathery, and scaly companions.

If you want a friend in Washington by McGill, Erin

"A clever, funny, and informative look at the pets--from Calvin Coolidge's wallaby to Teddy Roosevelt's flying squirrels--that have passed through the White House gates."-- Provided by publisher.

Abe & Fido: Lincoln's love of animals and the touching story of his favorite canine companion by Algeo, Matthew

In early 1861, as he prepared to leave his home in Springfield, Illinois, to move into the White House, Abraham Lincoln faced many momentous tasks, but none he dreaded more than telling his two youngest sons, Willie and Tad, that the family's beloved pet dog, Fido, would not be accompanying them to Washington. Lincoln, who had adopted Fido about five years earlier, was afraid the skittish dog wouldn't survive the long rail journey, so he decided to leave the mutt behind with friends in Springfield. Abe & Fido tells the story of two friends, an unlikely tandem who each became famous and died prematurely. It also explores the everyday life of Springfield in the years leading up to the Civil War, as well as Lincoln's sometimes radical views on animal welfare, and how they shaped his life and his presidency. It's the story of a master and his dog, living through historic, tumultuous times.

https://www.today.com/specials/all-the-presidents-pets/

https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/whitehousepets-1/

https://people.com/pets/inside-the-life-of-first-pets-at-the-white-house/