In This Newsletter:

End of the 2026 Summer Reading Program

Saturday, August 8th at 1:00pm

This is the LAST day to turn in your tracking cards for prizes from our Summer Reading Challenge. 

THE LIBRARY IS CLOSED

Wednesday, August 12th

APLD will be closed on Wednesday, August 12th for a Staff Development Day. We will reopen on Thursday, August 13th at 9:00am!

Donations

We love getting book donations. However, we have been seeing an increase of items being dropped off and put on the book sale shelf without staff vetting. Our On-Going Booksale is a curated collection carefully maintained by our Assistant Director. Lately, she has been finding items on the book sale shelf that she has never seen before. A lot of these items have visible mold, food, staining, torn out pages and are well over 10 years old. If you would like to donate items to our collection or for us to sell in our book sale, please make sure to speak to library staff first.

Damaged Books

We get a little touchy about liquid damage and this book is a perfect example of why. Between afternoon trips to the pool and thunderstorms, our books are living life on the edge lately. High temperatures, high humidity combined with porous material makes for ideal conditions for mold to grow. Not only can mold be a major health hazard, but it can also be dangerous to people with allergies and immune problems. It can also quickly spread to other library materials and destroy a collection if we do not catch it in time. If an item has water liquid damage, please let our staff know. Under ideal conditions mold can begin to grow within 24 hours of liquid exposure. We try very hard to catch damage when we check items in. We are human and we do sometimes miss less obvious issues. Accidents happen, but with your help, we can keep our collections circulating for a long time.

Ask Megan!



Hey everyone!

For the next few months, I will share tips from an article I read in the Consumer Reports magazine. Did you know that we subscribe to Consumer Reports magazine here at the library and we also have a log-in available to our patrons for online access to the magazine. If you would like this log-in information, simply give us a call and ask for it. Please don’t share the log in info publicly.   

“Stop a Scam Before It Starts: Here’s how to avoid being targeted—and losing money if you are.

Tip 1: Share less in public: The more personal info you post publicly, the more material a scammer has to work with when crafting a personalized attack. Don’t share phone numbers, home addresses, or financial details on social media, experts say. Think twice about posting photos of your home, details about an illness, or the names of family members.”

Kravitz, Derek. (2025, March). CR’s Anti-Scam Guide. Consumer Reports, 90(2), 24-31.

As always, email with any questions at techservices@allertonpubliclibrary.org or give me a call at 217-762-4676 and ask for Megan.

ADULT PROGRAMMING

Allerton Library Yoga

Wednesday, August 5th, 19th and 26th at 2:30pm

Love checking out books but forget to check in with yourself? Join Tonia in our program room for our beginner friendly yoga program! 

*NOTE: There is no Allerton Library Yoga on Wednesday, August 12th.

ADULTS ONLY PROGRAM



NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Sit & Stitch

Sunday, August 9th and August 23rd from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Unwind, create, and connect! Whether you’re halfway through a chunky knit sweater, finishing a delicate cross-stitch, or just starting to learn how to crochet, Sit & Stitch is your bi-weekly space to craft in good company.



There are no formal lessons and no pressure—just a dedicated time to work on your personal projects while chatting with fellow makers. It’s the perfect way to turn a solo hobby into a social highlight.

ALL AGES PROGRAM

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Adult Bingo

Monday, August 10th at 2:00pm

Join us for Bingo the second Monday of the month from 2-3pm.  



ADULTS ONLY PROGRAM

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Watch Party: What's in My Food? Decoding Chemicals and Safety

Tuesday, August 11th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Join us for a livestream event in our program room!



Ever wonder what's really in your food? In this eye-opening session, we'll walk through the world of natural and artificial food chemicals. Learn how to identify them, understand their impact on food safety, and weigh the pros and cons of their use. From naturally occurring compounds to additives in processed food, you'll gain the knowledge to make informed choices about what you eat.

ADULTS ONLY PROGRAM 

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

August Crafternoon: Wood Block Crow

Thursday, August 20th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm 

Get ready for fall at our August Crafternoon! This month we will be making a delightful wood block crow decoration! 

ADULTS ONLY PROGRAM 

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Maureen Holtz: Author Signing

Tuesday, August 25th at 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Author Maureen Holtz will be selling and signing her latest non-fiction book, "Images of America: DeWitt County" at Allerton Public Library on Tuesday, August 25 from 3-4:30 PM. There is more to DeWitt County than its nuclear power plant and scenic lake. Beyond Abraham Lincoln's familiar ties, the area was home to politicians, celebrities, and even a famous explorer who helped shape history. Over 200 years after the county's founding in 1824, its engaging history is showcased in this book with approximately 220 photographs and images. Books will be available for purchase at the event for $25.00, cash or check. 

ALL AGES PROGRAM

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

YOUTH PROGRAMMING

Parents and caregivers must not leave children under the age of 10

unattended in the library. 

Story Time

Story Time will take place Wednesday, August 19th and 26th starting at 9:30am. Story Time is where the fun begins! Every week is packed with great books, cheerful songs, and plenty of time for play. 

For ages 0-5 

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Music & Movement

Music & Movement will take place Thursday, August 20th and 27th starting at 10:00am. Get ready to wiggle, giggle, and groove! Join us for Music & Movement! This program is all about exploring rhythm and sound through catchy songs, dance breaks, and hands-on instrument play.

For ages 0-5 

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Play Time

Play Time will take place Friday, August 21st and 28th from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Looking for a relaxed way to connect with other parents while your little one burns some energy? Join us for Play Time in the program room! We'll have toys and space to move. Perfect for kids to play and explore and for caregivers to chat and socialize in a safe, indoor environment. Stop by and make some new friends! 

For ages 0-5

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

THE LIBRARY IS CLOSED

Monday, September 7th

APLD will be closed on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th at 9:00am!

Tween & Teen: Franken Toy

Thursday, September 3rd from 4:00pm to 4:45pm

Are you ready to bring your creation to life? Join us for a program that's part toy graveyard, part mad-scientist lab! Bring your old stuffies to rip apart, swap out limbs, tails and hot glue them back together to create the ultimate custom mutant masterpiece! 

Note: This program involves the use of low-temp hot glue guns and basic hand tools.

For ages 8-14 ONLY 

REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED

Frank L. Baum and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in Illinois and Beyond 

Thursday, September 10th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Mark W. Sorensen will give an illustrated presentation about how Baum came to Illinois and in 1900 wrote the first six of his fourteen Oz books while living in Chicago, as well as helping create the first Oz-related musical stage show and his touring multi-media extravaganza. Sorensen will also review the many film versions that followed Baum's 1910 move to Hollywood, and some of the Oz legacies still remaining in Illinois.

Mark Sorensen is the retired assistant director of the Illinois State Archives and a past president of the Illinois State Historical Society. He is a recipient of the ISHS Lifetime Achievement Award; the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award; and an ILA Library Luminary Award. He currently is the Official Macon County Historian and the historical consultant for that county's African American Heritage Trail project.  He is the author of "Illinois and the Marvelous Land of Oz" which appeared in the July 2024 issue of ILLINOIS HERITAGE magazine. 

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 

Super Saturday: Mega-Game Mania

Saturday, September 12th from 10:00am to 11:00am

We are supersizing the fun with oversized versions of classic games like Connect Four, Jenga, and Checkers! Bring the whole family to test your skills!

ALL AGES PROGRAM



NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Discovery Depot

Monday, September 14th & 28th from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

We are opening up the library's vault of specialized science, technology, engineering, art, and math kits for a program of open-ended creation. Bring a friend, brainstorm together, and see what amazing things you can construct and control! This is an excellent opportunity to test drive one of our many kits in house! 

FOR AGES 5-12 ONLY

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Back to Basics: Smartphone Skills and Tips with Megan

Tuesday, September 15th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

New to APLD this fall comes a set of three classes on current technology topics heard about in the news. These classes are designed for adults to come and learn about something new in a low-key and hopefully, non-intimidating learning environment. Feel free to bring your devices to each class and there will be time for questions and answers. 

ADULT ONLY PROGRAM



NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Knight Owls: Chess Club

Monday, September 21st from 3:30pm to 4:45pm

Whether you’re a complete beginner who doesn't know a rook from a pawn, or a seasoned strategist looking for a challenging match, there is a seat at the board for you. This is a relaxed, self-paced space to learn the basics, practice new openings, or simply enjoy a friendly game with neighbors of all ages.

All skill levels welcome! Participants are welcome to bring their own chess sets. 

FOR AGES 5-12 ONLY

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED