January 07, 2025
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Yorkville Public Library to host Read with Paws, Mini Golf FUN Raiser and more youth events

By Hannah Soukup
Parents Mike and Lauren Johnson and brother Liam, 8, watch Piper, 5, of Yorkville, take her shot on a hole between the upstairs stacks during the Friends of the Yorkville Library's annual Mini Golf FUN Raiser on Sunday Feb. 5, 2023.

Parents Mike and Lauren Johnson and brother Liam, 8, watch Piper, 5, of Yorkville, take her shot on a hole between the upstairs stacks during the Friends of the Yorkville Library's annual Mini Golf FUN Raiser on Sunday Feb. 5, 2023. The 2025 event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at the library. (Steven Buyansky for Shaw Local News Network/Steven Buyansky for Shaw Local N)

The Yorkville Public Library has announced the following upcoming youth programs:

Winter Read BINGO Challenge: Participants can pick up their BINGO card. They can check out and read books from the library to complete a BINGO. For each BINGO (up to a maximum of 5), participants will be entered into a raffle drawing for a $25 gift card. BINGO cards must be returned before Feb. 28 to be eligible for the raffle. The drawing will take place March 3.

Escape Room Adventure: The Escape Room Adventure will be available during the month of January. Participants will need to use the clues to unlock the boxes before the next group arrives, with only 30 minutes to complete the challenge. To schedule an appointment, contact the Youth Services Department at 630-553-4354, ext. 108, or stop in for more information.

3D Printing (Virtual): Leah English will provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to use Tinkercad, an easy-to-use 3D CAD design tool where participants can create an object that will be printed on the library’s 3D printer. The tutorial is available on the library’s YouTube channel, where users can follow the steps to create their own 3D printed piece. 3D prints are priced at $0.20 per gram. Creations can be submitted to YPL3DPrint@gmail.com.

Drop-In Story Time: Drop-In Story Time is held at YPL at 10:30 a.m. every Friday in the children’s area of the library. A volunteer from The Friends of the Library serves as the special reader for each session.

Window Art: Participants are invited to help liven up the library with window art. They can come in on any day between Jan. 6 to 11 to create their artwork. Registration is required, and space is limited. Register for the event on the library’s website.

Mommy and Me Yoga: From 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 7 and 21, participants can bond with their little ones while exploring yoga inspired by their favorite children’s books. This class includes simple breathing exercises, playful yoga poses, songs, games and story time. Through the session, children and parents will use their imaginations while increasing strength, flexibility and balance. Registration is required.

Preschool Zone: From 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, participants are invited to join for interactive and engaging books, along with activities for both parents and children. Registration is required.

LEGO Meetup: From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, participants are invited to join for a fun session of making LEGO creations and hanging out with others. LEGOs will be provided; participants are encouraged to bring their creativity.

Spanish Story Time (Facebook): From 1 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 8 and 22, join Señora Katalina on the Yorkville Public Library Facebook page for Story Time in Spanish. This session will be recorded.

Tots and Toddlers: From 10:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, and Wednesday, Jan. 29, participants are invited to join for songs, stories and dancing. Each child will receive a take-home craft to complete. Registration is required on the YPL website.

Spanish Story Time: From 5:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, volunteers from the YHS National Spanish Honor Society will read books in Spanish to the group. This is a drop-in event.

LEGO Kits: From January 13-18 (choose the day and time that is convenient), participants can come by the library during open hours to pick up a themed container of various LEGOs. Using only the bricks provided and their creativity, they can build their creation, which will be added to the LEGO display at the library.

Junior Threads and More: From 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, participants are invited to join and work on their unfinished projects, show off completed ones or check out what others are creating.

Toddler Play: From 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, caregivers and toddlers are invited to stop by the library to play and meet new friends. No registration is needed.

Magic: The Gathering: From 5 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays, participants are invited to gather at the Yorkville Public Library to play Commander format games of Magic: The Gathering. Local gaming enthusiast Marcus Sanford will lead the group. This event is open to both experienced players and newcomers to the game. Participants should bring their own deck to join in the games. The program is open to adults and high school students ages 14 and older.

Book Club: From 4:30 to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 16 and 23, children in grades first through second are invited to join this two-session book club where they will read an easy-read chapter book. Registration is required for both dates on the YPL website.

Stuffie Sleepover: From 4:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, participants can drop off their stuffed animals with Ms. Jennette and Ms. Dodie before 5:00 p.m. for a fun-filled night at the library. Stuffed animals will have the chance to explore the library, watch movies, enjoy midnight snacks, make crafts and maybe get some sleep. Stuffed animals must be picked up before 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Chess Club: From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 through Feb. 22, participants can join Chess Club. Instructor Tash Uray will provide instruction for both beginners and advanced players. Registration is open for any or all of the chess classes.

Literacy Centers: From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 23, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, participants can stop by anytime to experience a parent/child guided opportunity for hands-on literacy instruction. Literacy Centers are designed to give children ample opportunities to practice essential skills such as listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Books for BINGO: From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, families are invited to play BINGO for gently-used books. When registering, provide the number of people who will attend.

Winter Walk at Harris Forest Preserve: From 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, participants are invited to join a winter walk at Harris Forest Preserve in Yorkville.

My College Planning: Empower and Excel: Successful College Transition for High School Students with 504 Plans and IEPs: From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, this webinar will help families of students with learning or physical differences prepare for a successful transition to college. Participants will learn how to navigate college applications and disability disclosure, transition from high school IEPs/504 plans, self-advocate for accommodations, utilize campus resources and supports, and develop essential academic strategies and self-care. The workshop also covers building confidence, leadership, and responsibility. This session is recommended for parents of middle school and/or high school students. Register at foxly.link/yorkville1.

Read with Paws: From 10:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, children are invited to come to the library, select a book and read to a furry friend. All therapy dogs and handlers have been certified by an accredited organization. This program was designed to help struggling readers or simply encourage reading, as children often feel less pressure reading to a dog than to an adult. The program is open to readers of all levels, including non-readers. Participants must register for a 15-minute time slot on the YPL website. Space is limited. If unable to attend, contact the library.

Artful Beginnings (Preschool): From 10:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, participants are invited to check out this fun program where they will read a book and then create a craft project. Registration is required. Make sure to dress for the mess. If attending with multiple children, each child must be registered separately.

4-H Science Explorers: From 4:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, participants ages 6 to 8 will explore aerodynamics by making paper airplanes and ring wing gliders. At 5 p.m., participants ages 9 to 12 will join in for the same fun, hands-on activity. The workshop will focus on the flight characteristics of paper aircraft, encouraging participants to experiment by making changes to their designs and observing the differences in flight patterns. For more details and registration, visit the YPL website.

Teen Advisory Group: From 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, teens in grades eighth through 12th are invited to get together to share ideas about the teen area in the library. They will help create and plan programs, and this group also offers opportunities to earn volunteer hours. It’s a great chance to meet new people, have fun and share some laughs.

Mini Golf FUN Raiser: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, the Friends of the Library will host their most anticipated annual event: the Mini Golf FUN Raiser. This popular Yorkville tradition breaks up the post-holiday doldrums with 18 holes of festive, family-friendly mini golf played inside the library. Locals love this offbeat tradition, where uniquely themed holes of mini golf are set up throughout the library, creating lasting family memories and building a sense of community.

• The Yorkville Public Library is located at 902 Game Farm Road in Yorkville. It is open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curbside service is available for those not wishing to enter the Library. For information, call the library at 630-553-4354 or visit yorkville.lib.il.us.