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The text only version of our Youth and Adult Newsletters is below:
Edwardsville Public Library
Youth Events & Programs – December 2024
Sign-Up for programs requiring registration begins Dec. 1
Tuesday, December 3
Books for Babies Lapsit
10:00 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.
Tuesday, December 3
Bobby Norfolk at SIUE’s Lovejoy Library
1:00 – 2:00 PM at SIUE’s Lovejoy Library. Don’t miss 3-time Emmy award winning artist, international
storyteller, and educator Bobby Norfolk on the first floor of SIUE’s Lovejoy Library as he presents a series of
stories celebrating the rich history of African American and African folklore traditions. Co-Hosted by the
Edwardsville Public Library.
Tuesday, December 3
Books for Babies Lapsit
5:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades 6-12. Meet up with the Game Night crew for
a special end-of-year party with food, a movie, and miniature-painting.
Wednesday, December 4
Snowy Stories
10:00 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children of all ages. Keep warm at Snowy
Stories with family & friends as we share books and activities celebrating the snowy season!
Sunday, December 8
Gingerbread Workshop
Session 1 - 1:00 – 2:00 PM; Session 2 - 2:30 – 3:30 PM; Session 3 - 4:00 – 5:00 PM at the Edwardsville Public
Library. Registration Required. For families with children of all ages. ‘Tis the season to be jolly and make
gingerbread houses! Spend time together building and decorating a house out of graham crackers, frosting, and
an assortment of sweets! Please select one of the sessions to attend and register each child who will be
participating.
Monday, December 9
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
crocheters. If you have your own supplies and project, bring it along. Basic supplies available.
Monday, December 9
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, December 10
Perler Bead Brigade
3:30 – 5:00 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.
Tuesday, December 10
Virtual Event – The Magic of Raina Telgemeier
7:00 – 8:00 PM. Registration Required. Raina Telgemeier is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels
Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts, and Guts, all #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated
four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, and has contributed short stories to
many anthologies. Raina’s accolades include six Eisner Awards, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, a
Stonewall Honor, and many Best-of and Notables lists. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present
(ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. Visit the link below, or check
the Edwardsville Public Library website to register, receive the Zoom link to watch, and get more details.
https://bit.ly/ILP_RainaTelgem...
Friday, December 13
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, December 14
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, December 16
Fantastic Fantasies: 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 Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol. Check out a copy from the Youth
Desk when you register.
Monday, December 16
WormGear Warriors Demo
4:30 – 5:30 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. See STEM in action with Edwardsville’s own WormGear
Warriors Robotics Team! Learn how this award-winning team of local students build, program, and operate
robots, and get hands-on experience for yourself!
Tuesday, December 17
Books for Babies Lapsit
10:00 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.
Tuesday, December 17
High School Finals Open Study Hall
2:00 – 7:45 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades 9-12. Don't let finals stress you out! We have a
seat for you in our Pop-Up Study Room to help you prepare for your exams with relaxing music and snacks to
keep you fueled and focused while you study. Need help researching or printing? No worries! Our friendly staff
members at either of our desks can assist you.
Wednesday, December 18
Snowy Stories
10:00 AM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For families with children of all ages. Keep warm at Snowy
Stories with family & friends as we share books and activities celebrating the snowy season!
Wednesday, December 18
High School Finals Open Study Hall
2:00 – 7:45 PM at the Edwardsville Public Library. For grades 9-12. Don't let finals stress you out! We have a
seat for you in our Pop-Up Study Room to help you prepare for your exams with relaxing music and snacks to
keep you fueled and focused while you study. Need help researching or printing? No worries! Our friendly staff
members at either of our desks can assist you.
Wednesday, December 18
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 Stars Did
Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy. Archie Coomes keeps telling himself that this is Seaham, a sleepy seaside
town where nothing ever happens. Or at least nothing did, until an ancient, long-buried evil has been unleashed
upon the community, and it’s up to the kids to stop it before it’s too late. 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.
Friday, December 20 – Sunday, December 22
Virtual Event – Little Women: The Musical
Registration Required and Limited. Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of four sisters growing up in 19th-
century Massachusetts made its London premiere in this acclaimed production at Park Theatre. Originally
presented on Broadway in 2005 starring Sutton Foster, Lydia White and Savannah Stevenson lead a talented
cast in this beloved tale of family, self-discovery, and hope. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries
Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. Registration is limited,
so don’t wait to visit the link below or check the Edwardsville Public Library website to register, receive the
link to watch, and get more details. https://bit.ly/ILP_LittleWomen
December 2024 ADULT Programs/Events
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Saturday, December 7
Chair Yoga
10:00 AM Instructor Julie Hamilton leads this class using many common yoga poses.
Thursdays, December 5 & 19
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, December 12
The Cozy Comics Club
6:30 PM Discussing - Void Rivals. Volume 1 by Robert Kirkman.
The Reader’s Outpost
On a holiday break for December, catch us in January.
Monday, December 30
Nothing but Vinyl Club
6:00 PM Listen to and share your favorite vinyl in the library with other enthusiasts, and no one is going to shush you!
Wednesday, December 18
Adult Anime Club
5:30 PM Showing - The Wonderland
(2019)
Tuesday, December 17
Riveted Readers Book Club
6:30 PM Discussing - Small Things Like These
by Claire Keegan.
Monday, December 2
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. Bring your board or just your enthusiasm.
Monday, December 9
Adult Board Game Night
6:00 PM Grab your friends & some of your favorite board games for a community board game night. Refreshments & a small selection of games will be provided.
Wednesday, December 16
Recovery Without Stigma
6:00 PM Mark Knott, from the Metro East Recovery Council, will be here to discuss substance abuse disorder and how to deal with this sensitive issue in a non-judgmental manner.
Wednesday, December 4 & 18
Adult Crochet Club
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Registration Required Whether you're new to crochet or a seasoned stitcher, come join us to learn new techniques, share tips, and connect with other adult crocheters. If you have your own supplies and project, bring it along. Basic supplies available.
Saturday, December 21
Adult Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Adventure
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Registration Required Join us for a single session D&D adventure with pre-generated characters & a staff Dungeon Master. No books, dice, or prep necessary. Just sit down & enjoy an adventure in a single two-hour session.
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December 1-31
MEHS Donations Drive
Drop off donations for Metro East Humane Society in the library rotunda
Open Study Hall
Study in groups, relax, listen to music, & get comfy at our finals week open study hall! Snacks and drinks will be provided.
College Students
December 9th & 10th
|9am - 7:45pm
High School Students
December 17th & 18th
2pm - 7:45pm
Thursday, December 5
Hanukkah For Everyone
6:00 PM Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a fun, educational, and interactive program presented by Edwardsville Unity. This event is open to all ages and free for the entire community.
Gift Wrapping @ EPL
6:00 PM The Edwardsville Library Friends are offering their popular gift wrapping service again this year. Donations gratefully accepted.
Saturdays December 7th & 14th
10am - 4pm
Sundays December 8th & 15th
2pm - 4pm
Wednesday, December 11
Greeting Card Class
6:00 PM Registration Required Join Laura Borchert for a card making class at the library. Attendees will participate in making 3 different greeting cards.
Monday, December 23
Blood Drive
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Donate blood and save a life at the Red Cross blood drive.
Sunday, December 22
Puzzle Race: Winter Edition
2:00 PM Registration Required Each team will get the same 500 piece puzzle, and the first to assemble it will win a prize! Teams can be as small as 2 members and as large as 5. All ages welcome!
December 20-22
Illinois Libraries Presents
Virtual Event:
Little Women: The Musical
Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of four sisters growing up in 19th-century Massachusetts made its London premiere in this acclaimed production at Park Theatre. Registration required for video link.
Thursday, December 19
Horticulture with EPL
What color thumb do you have? It doesn’t matter! All are welcome at the library horticulture club!
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