Peoria Reads in May: From Author Events to Upcycling

Peoria Public Library kicked off Peoria Reads 2024 -- Nature's Best Hope: Exploring Conservation and Climate Change - with a virtual author event April 17 with Douglas Tallamy, author of our Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard. This New York Times best seller has also been adapted into a middle school edition.

In this book, Tallamy outlines a grassroots approach to conservation that is practical, effective, easy and - yes - even fun. If you missed our talk with Tallamy, we have it available on our YouTube channel.

Peoria Reads 2024: Nature’s Best Hope with Author Douglas Tallamy

Don't miss our next big Author Event this week as we bring award-winning children's author Candace Fleming to North Branch at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 2. Free and open to all ages.

Fleming, who has written more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books for children and young adults, will discuss her book, Honeybee, a beautifully illustrated and explained tale of the true life of one of our most important pollinators. Books will be available for sale and signing.

You can find all our Peoria Reads events on our website event calendar by searching program type: Peoria Reads, but here's a listing.

May Peoria Reads Events

Saturday, May, 4 ~ Film Discussion: Generation Greta

10:30 a.m., McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Ave.

Nine young female activists unite and share about their common fight: the current climate emergency, in this 2020 film titled Generation Greta. Learn how they are working to change the world. Following the film showing there will be a time to share your ideas on how you can make a difference in our community towards this current climate crisis. Ages 12-18.

Monday, May 6 ~ Upcycled T-shirt Tote Bags

6 p.m., North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy

Learn an easy way to upcycle an old shirt into an easy tote bag and decorate it, too! Please bring an old t-shirt to use for the craft. Free, but registration required. For teens.

Wednesday, May 8 ~ Upcycled Jar Lanterns

4 p.m., North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.

Join us at North Branch to make a beautiful lantern out of recycled glass jars. The lantern you make could make a lovely Mother's Day gift, or seasonal home decor. Ages 12 and up.

Monday, May 13 ~ The Lifecycle of the Honey Bee

6:30 p.m., Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.

You have heard that Honey Bees are busy, but what do they do all day? Gathering nectar and pollen is important but there is so much more to keep that hive running smoothly. Join beekeeper Trudy Yazujian as she takes us through the life and jobs of a Honey Bee, be it the Queen, the drones, or the workers.

Wednesday, May 15 ~ All About Solar

6 p.m., North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.

Get the straight scoop on solar, including how it works and whether it's for you. Learn about the income-qualifying Illinois' Solar for All program and other federal and state incentives from Larissa Armstrong, Assistant Director of the Ecology Action Center, an environmental conservation nonprofit based in Normal.

Monday, May 20 ~ A Little Patch of Prairie: Opening Our Lawns to Nature

6:30 p.m., North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.

Master Naturalist, Paul Resnick, will guide us through the process of replacing some of our lawn turf with native prairie plants. Paul's own prairie experience along with Doug Tallamy's book Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard will inform his presentation, looking at major obstacles to homeowner's converting lawn to prairie and how to overcome those obstacles.

Summer Reading Sign Up Starts May 13

We love it when things line up, like when we choose a book for Peoria Reads that explores conservation and climate change, and then the nationwide Summer Reading theme is Read, Renew: Repeat. It's like great minds think alike.

Summer Reading Sign Up starts May 13, both online via Beanstack or at any PPL location.

NEW this year, Summer Reading can be a friendly, family competition of BINGO. See who gets BINGO first. Each square is a reading challenge for your specific age range. Don't forget, Summer Reading is for all ages.

Get a BINGO, and you'll get a party pass to our Summer Reading celebration at the Civic Center. Fill up your whole card, and you’ll get a party pass and an entry into our Grand Prize Drawing.

Grand Prizes:

Ages 0-5: Little Tikes toys

Ages 6-12: Nintendo Switch & accessories

Ages 13-18: Instax camera & accessories

Adult: Explore Peoria Getaway (Choice of 3 options)

Bonus: Check in weekly for small prizes and a chance to win your branch's prize basket.

Remember, only Summer Readers at Lincoln Branch are eligible for that branch's new bike giveaway for grades K-12.

Thanks to our sponsors, including Friends of Peoria Public Library, State Sen. Dave Koehler and state Reps. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Ryan Spain, Peoria Public Library is able to host two celebrations for all who complete Summer Reading.

Summer Reading Celebration at the Civic Center

Weds., July 24 ~ 5PM to 8PM

Dance to our DJ's beats. Meet Princesses and Super Heroes and other characters. Get goofy in our 360 Camera Photo Booth after you get your face painted and play all the crafts and games and jump on our bouncy houses and get a balloon animal and so much more!

Summer Reading Party at Main Library

Friday, July 19 ~ 6:30PM to 8:30PM

Adults only

We're opening Main Library up after hours for adults only. Enjoy live music by Dexter O'Neal and the Funk Yard while sipping complimentary mocktails and snacks. We'll have a fun scavenger hunt, art project, games and more.

Again, Summer Reading Sign Up starts May 13, but runs June 10-July 20. Since it's BINGO, you can start anytime and not worry about missing out when you take your family summer vacation.

NOTE: All Peoria Public Library locations will open at NOON on Monday, May 6 so our staff can prep for Summer Reading.

See PAW Patrol Live! "The Great Pirate Adventure" at the Peoria Civic Center Theater, May 4 - 5!

Many thanks to the Peoria Civic Center for working with us on this year's Summer Reading Celebration.

We're excited, and we know you will be too to celebrate inside in the air-conditioning in late July!

The Civic Center and its promoters also gave us four, free tickets to the upcoming PAW Patrol show to help promote Summer Reading. Brandis Sims of Peoria was our winner.

PPL patrons can also take advantage of a 25 percent discount code for tickets: PUP25

ALL LOCATIONS OF PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL CLOSE AT 4:00 PM ON SUNDAY, MAY 12 IN HONOR OF MOTHER'S DAY.

PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
107 NE Monroe St., Peoria, Illinois 61602
www.peoriapubliclibrary.org