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Edwardsville Public Library Youth Events & Programs – March 2025
Sign-Up for programs requiring registration begins March 1
Tuesdays, January 28 – March 18
Books for Babies Lapsit
10:00 – 10:30 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For ages 0-23 months. Stories, songs, and bouncing babies! Read and rhyme with your little one, and connect with other caregivers.
Tuesdays, January 21 – April 29
Teen Game Night
6:00 – 7:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades 6-12. Go on a quest with fellow players in the classic fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons, or drop in with friends to play one of our tabletop games.
Wednesdays, January 29 – March 19
Time for Twos Story Time
10:00 – 10:30 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children age 2 years. Enjoy stories, songs, and bubbles with your little one and story time friends!
Wednesdays, January 29 – March 19
Family Story Time
6:30 – 7:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children of all ages. Enjoy stories, songs, and bubbles with story time friends in the evening!
Thursdays, January 30 – March 20
Preschool Story Time
10:00 – 10:30 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children ages 3-5 years. Enjoy stories, songs, and bubbles with story time friends!
Saturday, March 1 – Tuesday, April 15
JewelRide Books for Bikes Spring Reading Challenge
at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades K-8. Spring into summer with a new bike! We are excited to announce our second annual Books for Bikes, sponsored by JewelRide, Edwardsville’s own local medical transport company, as well as The Cyclery & Fitness Center, Thompson Flaherty and YCG Accounting, BJ’s Printables, and Dr. Hyten Dental. We recognize the importance of having healthy minds and bodies, and what better way to combine the two by rewarding devoted readers with free bikes? Kids in Grades K-8 are eligible to participate. By reading & logging books, you can earn up to 20 entries to our raffle, in which 10 bikes will be awarded to lucky readers! All reading must be logged and turned in by Tuesday, April 15 at 8pm. The raffle will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 10am. Register online with Beanstack or stop by the Youth Desk for a paper log to get started!
Available Starting March 1
Hanging Birdfeed Take Home Craft for Kids
Stop by the Youth Library to pick up this month’s craft bag!
Available Starting March 1
Teen Disco Macrame DIY Kit
For grades 6-12. Stop by the Teen Room to snag a bag full of everything you need to complete a project at home (while supplies last)!
Monday, March 3
Teen Crochet Club
3:30 – 5:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. For grades 6-12. Whether you’re new to crochet or a seasoned stitcher, come join us to learn new techniques, share tips, and connect with other crochet-ers. If you have your own supplies and project, bring it along. Basic supplies available.
Friday, March 7
Teen Anime Watch Party
4:00 – 5:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. For grades 6-12. Calling all teen anime enthusiasts! Unite at this welcoming space for both die-hard fans and those just getting started to explore a variety of genres, engage in lively discussions, and make new friends who love anime as much as you do.
Saturday, March 8
Family Story Time
10:00 – 10:30 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children of all ages. Enjoy stories, songs, and bubbles with story time friends on the weekend!
Monday, March 10
Read to a Dog
4:00 – 5:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. A therapy dog will be visiting the library and wants to listen to you read! Each young reader will have 15 minutes with the dog-on-duty.
Tuesday, March 11
Lego Club
4:30 – 5:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For ages 5-12 years. Just bring your imagination – we’ll supply the Legos!
Thursday, March 13
Pokémon Hangout
4:30 – 5:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For ages 7-12 years. Gotta catch ‘em all! Gather with fellow Pokémon enthusiasts to trade, battle, and try a variety of crafts and games!
Saturday, March 15
Read to a Dog
10:00 – 11:00 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. A therapy dog will be visiting the library and wants to listen to you read! Each young reader will have 15 minutes with the dog-on-duty.
Monday, March 17
Teen Crochet Club
3:30 – 5:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. For grades 6-12. Whether you’re new to crochet or a seasoned stitcher, come join us to learn new techniques, share tips, and connect with other crochet-ers. If you have your own supplies and project, bring it along. Basic supplies available.
Tuesday, March 18
Perler Bead Brigade
3:30 – 5:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. For grades 6-12. Pixelate your world! Create cool designs using perler beads during the session. Materials and some ideas will be available, but feel free to bring your own designs.
Thursday, March 20
Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day!
9:00 – 8:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. Mister Rogers’ birthday is cause for celebration! Drop in to the library during our open hours this day for activities promoting kindness, make-believe, and liking ourselves just the way we are!
Monday, March 24
Middle School Graphic Novel Club
4:00 – 5:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. For grades 5-8. Dive into pages of panels! Join to chat all about The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell. Check out a copy from the Youth Desk when you register.
Wednesday, March 26
To Be Read… Teen Book Club
4:00 – 5:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades 6-12. This month, we are reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Even at the age of sixteen, Katniss Everdeen knows it takes hard work, keen observation, and inner fortitude to survive in the world. Her home, District 12, is under the merciless rule of the Capitol, continually forced to pay after losing a long-ago civil war in the nation of Panem. One of the ways the Capitol keeps control is its annual Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death featuring two young tributes from each of Panem's twelve districts. This gruesome battle is meant to send home a chilling message: Rebellion will always be punished. When Katniss finds herself within the Hunger Games arena, she knows the odds aren't in her favor. Any wrong move will end her life--and even the right moves come with a cost. But if she can survive, there is a chance the districts may survive as well... Register to get a free copy of the book at the Youth Desk. If registration spots fill up, teens are still welcome to join – ask us to request a copy of the book to check out.
Thursday, March 27
Keychain Craft Class
5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library.
Registration Required. For grades 6-12. Sign up to make a spring chick keychain! Dig into a bag of pony beads and learn the art of brickstitch (a Native American beading technique) to begin your beading journey.
Friday, March 28
Drop-In Play Time
10:00 – 11:00 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children ages 1-5 years. Enjoy engaging sensory activities! All Families are welcome to join. This open play is especially great for kids with multi-sensory needs.
Friday, March 28
The Book Was Better Movie Screening
3:30 – 5:50 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades 6-12. Let’s be honest - the book is almost always better than its movie counterpart, but it’s still fun to watch! Bring your own drink with lid and friends, and enjoy free popcorn and lively discussion comparing the film to the page. Check our website for movie title.
Edwardsville Public Library
Adult Events & Programs
Saturday, March 15 & 29
Chair Yoga
10:00 AM Instructor Julie Hamilton leads this class using many common yoga poses.
Thursdays, March 6 & 20
Movie Matinees
Noon At the Edwardsville Public Library. Bring a brown bag lunch, and we’ll provide the drinks and popcorn. Please call the library or go to our website for movie titles.
Thursday, March 13
The Cozy Comics Club
6:30 PM Discussing – Power Bomb by Daniel Warren Johnson
Sunday, March 30
Sunday Sunrise Yoga
9:00 AM Registration Required Join Yoga Instructor Lisa Allen for an hour of peaceful yoga and meditation followed by coffee & snacks.
Monday, March 17
The Reader’s Outpost
6:30 PM Discussing – The Windup Girl by Paulo Bacigalupi
Monday, March 31
Nothing but Vinyl Club
6:00 PM Bring your favorite record and play us your favorite song.
Wednesday, March 19
Adult Anime Club
5:30 PM Are you a fan of Japanese animation? Come hang out with people with shared interests. Showing - Episode 1-3 Samurai Champloo
Tuesday, March 25
Riveted Readers Book Club
6:30 PM Discussing – The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
Monday, March 3
Chess Club
6:30 PM A casual environment for masters and novices to meet up to play and enjoy one of the oldest games in the world.
Monday, March 10
The Rough Drafts Writing Club
6:00 PM Bring your current project or start something new. One hour of dedicated writing time and a half hour to discuss and share thoughts & ideas.
Monday, March 10
Monday Evening Yoga
6:00 PM Instructor Lisa Allen will teach this hour-long class of peaceful evening yoga and meditation.
Wednesday, March 12 & 26
Adult Crochet Club
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Registration Required Come join us to learn new techniques, share tips, and connect with other adult crocheters.
Thursday, March 27
Happily Ever After
6:30 PM EPL’s new romance book club, discussing – Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Saturday, March 29
Adult Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Adventure
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration Required Join us for a single 2-hour D&D adventure with pre-generated characters & a staff Dungeon Master.
Thursday, March 6
Recovery Without Stigma
6:30 PM Mark Knott, with Metro East Recovery Council, will be discussing the stigma of substance abuse disorder and how to deal with this sensitive and personal issue in a non-judgmental manner.
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Monday, March 3
Paper Decluttering Workshop
6:00 PM Tired of paper piles taking over your home? Join Kalli Erwin as she shows simple, effective strategies to manage daily paperwork and create a streamlined filing system for important documents. Say goodbye to paper clutter and hello to a stress-free system.
Thursday, March 13
Horticulture with EPL: Waking Up Plants
6:30 PM Come learn how to get your plants ready to go outside or how to start a garden of your own!
Saturday, March 29
Native American Storytelling by Chief White Winnebago
11:00 AM In this presentation, Chief White Winnebago will tell five Native American stories, mostly of HoChunk origin, for all ages.
Monday, March 24
The Self-Publishing Revolution
6:00 PM This educational workshop will cover the long history of self-publishing. Innovations along the way have made self-publishing more and more accessible, culminating with today’s easier-than-ever tools for authors.
Sunday, March 30
Indie Lens Film Screening: Bike Vessel
1:30 PM Join us for an Indie Lens Pop-Up, our community documentary screening series! This month, we will be watching and discussing Home Court.
“Home Court traces the ascent of Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy whose life intensifies amid recruitment, injury, and triumph throughout her high school career.”
Wednesday, March 19
Growing and Using Herbs
5:30 PM Lisa Dean and Rebekah Benson will be presenting on the best ways to grow and use herbs in your own backyard.
This event is sponsored by the Edwardsville Library Friends (ELFs).
Saturday, March 22
Craft Supply Drop & Swap
Drop off Days:
Wednesday, March 19 9:00 AM to 7:00PM
Thursday, March 20 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday, March 21 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Day of Swap March 22
10:00 AM to Noon Priority access to those who donated.
Open to Public: Noon to 2:00 PM
Are your hoards of crafting supplies outgrowing your cave? Come and destash at our Craft Supply Drop & Swap!
Drop off your donations of crafting supplies during any of the 3 drop off days & you'll get an early admission ticket for Saturday’s swap. Come back Saturday March 22nd to enjoy the swap during the hours listed on our website!
Illinois Libraries Present: Virtual Events
Visit our website for registration details
Exploring Space with Coralie Adam
Tuesday, March 4
7:00 PM Get an inside look at the space industry with Illinois’ own Coralie Adam. She’ll be joined in conversation by Renae Kerrigan, Curator of Science and Director of the Dome Planetarium at Peoria Riverfront Museum.
9to5 The Story of a Movement
Friday, March 21 – Sunday, March 23
7:00 PM National Humanities Medal winner and bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan joins us to share her body of work and reflect on the wonder of slowing down and savoring the quiet moments.
Edwardsville Memory Digitization Program
If you have family or community photos, movies, or recordings that you can no longer access because they are on old media formats, we can help you convert them to a digital format that you can enjoy and share. We are able to teach you to convert, among others, 8mm film, VHS, VHS-C, cassettes, vinyl, photo slides and negatives, and we also have a new book scanner.
Here is how the program works:
- Call or email so we can talk about what you want to accomplish. We will ask what kinds of media you need to convert and how much you have to work with.
- We will make an appointment to give you space in the library to work and set aside time to train you on the equipment. Once you know what you are doing, we will let you work.
- The equipment must be used in the library, none of it can leave the building and it can only be used when someone from Adult Services is present in the library. Conversion can be tricky and we want to be on hand to help trouble-shoot.
Start the process by calling 618-692-7556 EXT. 437 or emailing gregk@edwpl.org.
Kanopy Update
Beginning March 10th, you will need to login to Kanopy with your Edwardsville library card barcode and pin number. If you do not know this information, call the circulation desk for help.
Contact Us
618-692-7556 ext. 6 edereference@edwpl.org
Greg Kessler, Head of Adult Services gregk@edwpl.org
Kelcey Stewart Adult Services Assistant kelceys@edwpl.org
Greg Guntren Adult Services Assistant gregoryg@edwpl.org