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While the weather is sure to get colder, the Putnam County Library District will plan activities at its branches to keep patrons warm and active.
The library will close Jan. 1-2 for the holidays and reopen Jan. 3. It will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7: James Herriot. The Library hosts Anglophile and former UK resident, Claire Evans, for a presentation on the life of Alf Wight, an unassuming country vet who practiced for fifty years in one of England’s most beautiful places, the Yorkshire Dales. Wight rose to international fame later in life under the pen name, James Herriot, as he recounted the heartwarming animal stories and colorful characters of a bygone era, inspiring a film and multiple television series. Bask in the visual beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and learn the surprising story of a vet whose books still entertain millions in this unique presentation. Register at https://2ly.link/20IcA.well-known
7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9: Illinois Libraries Presents: Chicago Pizza - Past, Present & Future with Steve Dolinsky https://bit.ly/ILP_SteveDolinsky Illinois Libraries Present Steve Dolinsky, the well-known Food Guy reporter at NBC 5 (Chicago) and James Beard Award winner for his TV, radio and podcast work. Dolinsky hosts “The Feed Podcast” with Chicago chef/restaurateur Rick Bayless and Pizza City. He is the creator of Pizza City Fest, now in four cities, and author of two books about pizza. Join Dolinsky to dish on “The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide: A History of Squares & Slices in the Windy City,” his comprehensive guide to the styles, locales and people that make the Windy City a prime destination for slices and pies.
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23: Rule of Rum. Join the library for Food Historian Cynthia Clampitt for a presentation on rum. Clampitt will share the reason rum arose where and when it did, how pirates got involved and who really said, “yo ho ho” (not the pirates), but also how rum helped united the Thirteen Colonies, why it became one of the issues that led to the American Revolution, how it also led to a revolt in Australia, and how it affected culture and history after that. Register at https://2ly.link/20Icp.
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23: Illinois Libraries Presents: Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau. Buteau, an American stand-up comedian, actress, television host, producer and podcast host. Buteau published her first book in 2020, a collection of personal essays titled “Survival of the Thickest,” which was adapted into a series on Netflix. Register at https://bit.ly/ILP_MichelleButeau.
Hennepin, 214 N. Fourth St.
1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4: Bingo for kids. Food and prizes for kids.
Jan. 6-10: Cricut Makerspace Workshop. Adult patrons can learn how to use the Cricut Maker. Call ahead to schedule an appointment. Winter door hanger raised letters.
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9: Adult painting evening, stop by to paint a snowman canvas.
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15: Putnam County Book Club. The club meets the third Wednesday of every month at Hennepin and Granville libraries. Share your ideas. The group chooses books together. Follow the group on Facebook.
Thursday, Jan. 16: Winter Craft Workshop, DIY Winter Faux Fire Starters. Pick up and take home or make it at the library. All ages.
1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17: Puzzle Swap, stop by to swap puzzles with others.
Throughout January, stop by the library to play with the large Sudoku display.
Jigsaw puzzles and coloring pages will be available through February for all ages.
Granville, 214 S. McCoy St.
1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3: Movie and popcorn
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7: Community Room Craft Time. Bring a craft to work on alone or with friends. Refreshments available.
1 to 3 p.m. Fridays: Water paints and pastels.
11 a.m. Wednesdays: Story Time, book and accompanying activity.
1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8: Exploring Current Diet Trends. Susan Glassman will present a program and activity.
3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays: Homework helpers.
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9: Discover Guatemala. Former librarian and anthropologist, Brittany Blomquist, shares her experiences in the vibrant country of Guatemala. Learn more about the city of Antigua, the second capital city, food, architecture, textiles and more, and partake in enjoying the national dish – Pepian. Blomquist is a graduate student at Northern Illinois University. Her research is focused on education within Guatemala. She visited the country in 2023 and 2024, exploring the west central highland region.
4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14: Frosty Creations Art Workshop
5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21: Family Game Night, bring a favorite game or explore what the library has available. Pizza with sign-up.
Jigsaw puzzles will be out to work on for the winter.
Design a bookmark at the library Stop by during open hours to pick up a “Design a Bookmark” form. After you complete your design, drop off the form at the library and staff will scan it and print your designed bookmarks for library visitors.
Colorful Greetings, turn your art into notecards. Assorted coloring pages will be available as well as colored pencils. If you would like your art turned into a set of notecards, leave it, along with your name and phone number, with a staff member. You will be notified when your cards are ready for pick-up.
Putnam, 105 N. Center St.
9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4: Books and Brunch. Food, Books, and Friends
Magnolia, 112 N. Chicago St.
Thursday, Jan. 9: Hot Chocolate for children during library hours.
Saturday, Jan. 25: Legos for children during library hours.
McNabb, 322 W. Main St.
10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4: Movie matinee, children’s movie.
10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18: Read-n-tell story morning. Children read a book and share with friends what they liked or didn’t like about the book.
Through February, the community is invited to stop by the McNabb Library to make thematic crafts. The January craft is a hibernating bear.
Design a bookmark at the library. Stop by during open hours to pick up a Design a Bookmark form. After you complete your design, drop off the form at the library and staff will scan it and print your designed bookmarks for library visitors.
Colorful Greetings. Turn your art into notecards. Create one-of-a-kind art. Assorted coloring pages will be available as well as colored pencils. If you would like your art turned into a set of notecards, leave it, along with your name and phone number, with a staff member. You will be notified when your cards are ready for pick-up.
Standard, 128 First St.
12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30: Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery. Nearly everyone is familiar with the works of British author Agatha Christie, particularly gems like “Murder on the Orient Express” and “And Then There Were None,” but what’s not so well-known is Agatha Christie herself. Find out what sort of person the “queen of mystery” was really like, uncover the secrets behind her divorce and sudden disappearance, and find out how she knew so darn much about poisons and how they worked.