Library Crawl 2025

October 1st to October 31st

Starting October 1st, you can pick up your passport at your home library & return it after visiting 5 or more participating libraries for an entry into a drawing.

Banned Books Week

Sunday, October 5th to Saturday, October 11th

APLD will have a display at the circulation desk in support of Banned Books Week from October 5th to October 11th. For more information about Banned Books Week click on the button below.

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Held in the last week of September or first week of October, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. 

ADULT PROGRAMMING

Shopping the Shelves

Thursday, October 2nd from 2:00 to 3:00pm

Shopping the Shelves: Navigating Grocery Stores for a Healthier Lifestyle

Presented by Hannah Batchelder, Health Educator



Feeling overwhelmed at the grocery store? Learn simple strategies to read labels, shop smarter, save money, and make healthier choices for you and your family. We’ll cover tips for navigating store layouts, picking budget-friendly options, and deciding when to go store brand versus name brand.

Join us for this session and leave confident to tackle the grocery aisles!

Author Talk:

Lisa Jones Baker

Monday, October 6th from 5:30 to 7:00pm

LET’S WRITE A BOOK!

The Bestselling Amish Fiction Author will share her author journey as well as self-learned tips on selling to publishing houses. Everyone who registers will go home with a complimentary book from The Heart of the Amish series, and hopefully, a newfound spark of inspiration. We look forward to seeing you!          

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 

Yoga with Hannah

Tuesday, October 7th & 21st at 9:30am

Tuesday, October 28th at 1:00pm

Hannah Batchelder from the Dewitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department will be here to lead a yoga class in the program room. 

BYOB: Bring Your Own Book

Tuesday, October 7th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Every month join fellow readers for BYOB (bring your own book) club. There is NO assigned reading; we will discuss books that we are currently reading. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Until meeting time, happy reading!

Adult Bingo

Monday, October 13th at 2:00pm

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



Adults only program 

Crafternoon: Reversible Snowman and Pumpkin

Thursday, October 16th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Join us in the program room to make a fun and reversable decoration you can use for both fall and winter!

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 

Illinois Libraries Present: Beyond the Screen: A “Wicked” Conversation with Marissa Bode

Tuesday, October 21st at 7pm

Prepare for a magical evening as Illinois Libraries Present welcomes actress Marissa Bode. Bode made her feature film debut as Nessarose in Academy Award-winning blockbuster, Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu.

Join us to explore Bode’s early inspirations and performances, leading up to her portrayal of Nessarose in Wicked. As the highly anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good approaches, we’ll reflect on what makes the story so meaningful to Bode and audiences around the world. Bode will also share personal stories and insights from her time on stage, the challenges and rewards of being part of an iconic production, and what the future holds for her career.

Virtual Program 

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 

This program is for adults

ICASH

Thursday, October 22nd

from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ staff will be at the Allerton Public Library on Thursday, October 22, 2025, to help reunite citizens with missing money property through the I-Cash program.

Non-Fiction Book Group

Thursday, October 23rd

from 6:00pm to 7:15pm

Come and join us as the group discusses, "Is a River Alive" by Robert Macfarlane.

What's Coming down the Line? The Railroad in the American Mind  

Thursday, October 30th at 6:00pm

Railroads not only accelerated Illinois’ economic development and population growth, but also became icons that influenced American culture. 



The national land-based transportation network radically changed the economy, how people traveled, and how corporate structure evolved. 

Rail workers were seen as heroic as they faced an extremely dangerous occupation. 

The railroad became a cultural symbol, reflected in advertising, cinema, and children’s toys. Join Mike Matejka for this intimate look into this industry.

KIDS PROGRAMMING

Read Watch Discuss: Because of Winn-Dixie

Wednesday, October 1st from 2:30pm to 4:30pm

Read Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo before October 1st and then come watch the movie. Afterwards, stay and discuss the book versus the movie: likes, differences, thoughts, etc...  

Super Saturday: Paint a Pumpkin

Saturday, October 18th from 10:00am to 11:00am

Join us in the program to paint a pumpkin! 

Supplies are limited

Recommended for famlies of all ages 

DROP IN PROGRAM

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Lap Time

Lap Time will take place Wednesday, October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th starting at 9:30am Lap Time is filled with fingerplay, books, and songs.



Recommended for 0-2 years old.

Story Time

Story time will take place Thursday, October 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th starting at 10:00am. Story time is filled with books, songs, instruments, and play.



Recommended for 3-5 years old.

Play Time

Play Time will take place Friday, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Join us for free play in the program room and socialize with other families!

Recommended for 0-5 years old.

Science Something

Mondays in October at 4:00pm

Join us in the program room every week to explore a new science topic.  

October 6th: iRobotics

October 13th: Ag in the Classroom, Corn

October 20th: Central Illinois Aerospace, Model Rocket Club

October 27th: Ag in the Classroom, Pumpkins

For ages 5-11 (K-5th Grade)

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

TEEN PROGRAMMING

Tween and Teen: Dungeons & Dragons

Thursday, October 2nd from 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Learn How to Create a Dungeons & Dragons Character  

Interested in honing your character-building skills? Curious about building a D&D character? Want to collaborate and brainstorm with other players for character tips, tricks, and advice? Join us in the program room to flex your creativity while socializing and learning some D&D basics. 

DROP IN PROGRAM

For ages 11-18 (grades 6th-12th)  

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Magnet Monday

Mondays in November from 4:00pm to 4:45pm

Join us this November for hands on exploration with magnets! 

DROP IN PROGRAM

For ages 5-11 (K-5th Grade) 

Tween and Teen: D&D

Thursday, November 6th from 4:00pm to 6:30pm 

Learn How to Run a Dungeons & Dragons Game

If you've ever been curious about how to coordinate and run a D&D game, this is your opportunity! Join us in the program room to flex your creativity while socializing and learning some D&D basics. This is a great learning opportunity for those interested in building their own problem solving, teamwork, and communication skills. 

DROP IN PROGRAM

For ages 11-18 (grades 6th-12th)  

Read Watch Discuss: The Light Between Oceans

Tuesday, November 11th from 10:00am to 12:00pm

Read The Light Between Oceans by L.M. Stedman before November 11th and then come watch the movie. Afterwards, stay and discuss the book versus the movie: likes, differences, thoughts, etc...  

John Goldsmith: Three Frenchmen & a Goat

Thursday, November 13th at 2:00pm 

John Goldsmith presents the story of three enterprising young men who founded a fraternal supply company in 1892 that today is one of the biggest manufacturers of marching band uniforms. 

It’s an entertaining tale of trick chairs, strength testers, graduation caps and gowns, and band uniforms.