IN THE LIBRARY LOOP - MAY 2026
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Kicking Off Summer Reading: Peoria Riverfront Concert |
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We’re kicking off Summer Reading 2026 with the sweet musical stylings of 5-time Grammy-nominated musician Justin Roberts. Bring the whole family down to the Peoria Riverfront for a family-friendly concert, along with yard games, crafts, snacks and door prizes!
Saturday, May 30 ~ 10 AM to Noon CEFCU stage, Peoria Riverfront
Free and for all ages – just like Summer Reading is free and for all ages!
We’ll have staff on hand to help you sign up for Summer Reading, which officially kicks off June 1st! This year, we have a slick program guide so you can keep track of all the amazing programs we have planned. Pick one up at the concert or at any Peoria Public Library location.
Sneak Peek of Summer Reading Programs: Summer Reading Carnival with a Dunk Tank!
Whiz Bang Science: The World of Dinosaurs Toy Story Takeover
Forest Park Nature Center: Animal Adaptations BMX Stunt Riders Show The Dueling Dames |
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| Meet the Author: Tiffany D. Jackson | Thursday, May 7 | 6 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave.
Free and open to teens and adults.
| Don’t miss this opportunity to meet highly acclaimed American author and filmmaker Tiffany D. Jackson. |
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Jackson was the 2025 Margaret A. Edwards award recipient, which honors authors for having a significant and lasting impact on Young Adult literature. Her debut novel, Allegedly, was nominated for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens.
Other popular teen books she’s written include: Grown, Monday’s Not Coming, Let Me Hear a Rhyme, White Smoke and her latest, The Scammer, released in 2025. |
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| Our 1st Spelling Bee Champion Heads to D.C.! |
Congratulations and best of luck to Isa Zaid, 7th grader from Peoria Academy, who will be one of 247 top spellers from across the country to compete in the 2026 National Scripps Spelling Bee later this month!
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Isa won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Regional Competition for Central Illinois, now sponsored by Peoria Public Library.
This was the inaugural year for Peoria Public Library as the regional sponsor, covering 8 counties and 300 eligible schools. The City of Peoria, Peoria County and Peoria Public Schools are key partners.
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WMBD-TV was our media sponsor and an edited version of our March 28 Regional Competition, with pronouncer Gretchen Wirtz, will air: Friday, May 22 ~ 6:30 PM at WYZZ Saturday, May 23 ~ 11 AM on WMBD
Isa was recently honored by both the Peoria County Board and Peoria City Council. Thanks to a $2,000 travel stipend from Rotary Club of Peoria, Isa and his whole family can go to Washington, D.C. for the national competition, May 24-30.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion will win $50,000 cash and the Scripps Cup, the official championship trophy, along with other cash and educational prizes. Peoria Public Library will continue to sponsor the regional competition, which allows a direct pathway for a top speller from Central Illinois to compete nationally. |
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| Celebrating America 250 | America 250 is the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Libraries across the country are marking this historic milestone with programming that honors the contributions of all Americans, as we look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.
| Peoria Public Library will host a variety of programs between now and July that you can find here: America 250 Programs
Coming up May 7th: A Place to Call Home: Understanding Asian Americans in Illinois Through Narrative with Dr. Ada Cheng
6:30 PM, Thursday, May 7 ~ North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy. |
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Dr. Cheng shares her personal narratives to delineate her migration journey from Taiwan to the United States as well as to Illinois. These stories will highlight issues related to the myth of the model minority, the image of the perpetual foreigner, and the impact of stereotypes and discriminatory practices toward Asians/Asian Americans. The stories will explore the diverse experiences among Asians in diaspora and problematize the myth of a monolithic community.
Along with intimate storytelling, Ada will present, from a historical perspective, the various laws and regulations that have contributed to the construction of Asian Americans as the “other” in this country historically. In addition, she will compare and contrast the migration experiences of different Asian immigrant communities in Illinois.
This presentation aligns with the Illinois America 250 Commission’s theme “We the People.” This theme invites us to explore ideas of who has been included and who has been left out of the nation’s promise, as well as how people from all backgrounds have shaped and reshaped what it means to be part of “the people.” The Illinois America 250 Commission’s goals are to uplift local stories, places, and programs; build pride; and showcase how Illinois brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life.
Free and open to all adults.
1-3 PM, Saturday, May 16th ~ Peoria Public Main Library Gallery, 107 NE Monroe
Public Reception for: Central Illinois Heroes Who Answered the Call Central Illinois heroes answered the calls – to save the union, to make the world safe for democracy, to defend freedom.
Every U.S. village, town and city has war heroes; Peoria is no exception, and with this exhibit, the Peoria Historical Society pays tribute to the valor and patriotism of these local heroes.
This Peoria Historical Society curated exhibit will be on display from May 4th through June 6th.
Free admission always.
The gallery is open 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. |  |
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| Calling all Local Authors and Crafters! | We’ve moved up our annual Local Author and Craft Fair from the fall to August this year.
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Deadline to apply to participate is Friday, May 15th. |
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Showcase your handmade and heartfelt works and connect with our patrons and public. Limited space so don't wait to request a spot. Vendor Fee: $20 non-refundable
Register here |
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| Games 4 Grades | Get good grades, win awesome prizes!
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Starting this month, Peoria Public Library patrons can earn chances to win a PS5, a Nintendo Switch 2, or an iPad with an Apple Pencil! |
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Must show proof of your grades -- report card or Skyward transcript -- and for every A, B, or C you get , you get more tickets to win. Report cards using a number scale are fine.
A Peoria Public Library Card is required, but free and easy to sign up for. ** Only at Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave. For ages 6-18. |
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| Austen Reimagined: From Page to Screen to TikTok |
Join us for this limited series to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday year! Led by Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright, this four-part series invites participants to revisit Austen’s familiar stories while exploring how her characters continue to appear in modern retellings, from contemporary films to social media.
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Along the way, participants will imagine what Austen’s characters might look like in a modern setting, including how they might move through a contemporary place like Peoria. |
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The series will culminate in an optional creative exercise in which participants can share a short adaptation pitch or concept of their own. Participants are welcome to engage as deeply as they wish.
Dr. Wright is Executive Director of ArtsPartners and holds both a master’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy in the digital humanities field from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She currently also teaches at Bradley University. The first program is May 13th.
Austen Discussion Series: Wednesday, May 13th 6 PM to 7:30 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave. Free and open to all adults.
For future discussions, visit our calendar here |
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| Dungeons & Dragons: Now at Main Library | Demand for our tween and teen Dungeons & Dragons meetups keeps growing so we’ve added a new meeting at Main Library, starting this month.
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Saturday, May 2 Teen Dungeons & Dragons 3 PM to 5:30 PM at Main Library, 107 NE Monroe
For ages 13-18. Free, but please register via our online event calendar. |
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Learn the basics of the game and join our quest! Registrations required per session to assure adequate staffing, but attendance at every session not required. Game resources provided by the generosity of Wizard's of the Coast's Educator Outreach.
Find the best meetup for your tween or teen here |
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| Peoria Public Library is Out and About! | Our staff enjoys connecting with people inside – and OUT – of the library.
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We’ll be at several community events this summer. Like us to join yours? |
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| Peoria Public Library is Growing! | Peoria Public Library, the largest library system in Downstate Illinois, is growing.
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We have added three new positions: · Assistant Manager of Facilities · Security Manager
· Full-time Reference Assistant at McClure Branch |
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| SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 15 | Author Event with Michael W. Twitty
Monday, June 15 6:30 PM Main Library
| Join us for an evening with award-winning food historian and writer Michael W. Twitty. |
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Celebrated for his profound exploration of how food intertwines with ancestry and culture, his groundbreaking work, The Cooking Gene, not only traced his own ancestry through food from Africa to America and from slavery to freedom, but also earned him a 2018 James Beard Award for best writing and book of the year — a historic first for a black author.
The Cooking Gene is also ranked #2 on Book Authority's list of the Top 60 food books of all time.
This event will be free and open to all teens and adults.
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