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October is Family History Month |
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The Peoria Public Library has programs planned that can help you learn about researching, writing, and stories throughout the month. Perfect timing since you may be seeing extended family in November and December.
Learn how to write a family story. Watch webinars from nationally known genealogy experts. Learn about our local history collection. We even invite you to join in an Ancestor Look-alike Photo Contest.
Explore all we have to offer and register for events here
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Events
Converting Genealogy Events to Stories Saturday, October 11 Main Library - Local History & Genealogy
10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Family History Month Webinarpalooza Friday, October 17
North Branch or Zoom from home 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Family History- Orientation to Research & Library Collections Saturday, October 18 Main Library - Local History & Genealogy
10:30 am - 12:00 pm |
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| Banned Books Week, Oct. 5 | Banned Books Week launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of book challenges in libraries, schools and bookstores.
This year’s theme for the week is “Censorship is so 1984. Read for Your Rights.”
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Published in 1949, George Orwell’s “1984” warns of the dangers of governments controlling speech and freedom of expression.
Simultaneously lauded as groundbreaking and one of the best books of all time, but also one of the most banned books of all time in America. |
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“The 2025 theme of Banned Books Week serves as a reminder that censorship efforts persist to this day,” notes American Library Association President Cindy Hohl. “We must always come together to stand up for the right to read.”
You will find banned book displays across our five locations as a reminder to challenge censorship, not books.
Our McClure Branch will have a host of activities planned throughout the week.
This is the only program requiring registration:
Banned Book Bricks ~ Friday, Oct. 10 | 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Ave.
Free. Teens only. Please call (309) 497-2700 to RSVP.
If you’d like to learn more, you can read the recently released “The State of America’s Libraries: A Snapshot of 2024” here.
You’ll find the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 as well as censorship by the numbers and more.
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| Peoria Reads 2025: Holding the Note | |
Every year, Peoria Public Library chooses one book to feature for our one city/one book initiative. We call it Peoria Reads.
This year, we’ve chosen Holding the Note: Profiles in Popular Music by David Remnick. We launched Peoria Reads in September, but will keep hosting book discussions and other themed programming into 2026. Place a hold
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In Holding the Note, David Remnick writes about some of the most influential musicians, songwriters and performers of the past 50 years. Icons including Paul McCartney, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Patti Smith and more.
Remnick, editor of The New Yorker since 1998, is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning author for his book, Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire. |
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Given Peoria’s rich musical history, we thought Peorians would enjoy the in-depth peek into these musicians’ lives and careers that Remnick is able to give.
We will also offer a variety of programming related to Peoria Reads over the next several months.
For October:
Holding the Note Discussion: Leonard Cohen Thursday, Oct. 9 ~ 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Main Library, 107 NE Monroe
Upcycled Crafts: Sheet Music Luminaries (Teens/Adults: Please RSVP) Thursday, Oct. 16 ~ 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
Peoria Reads: Intro to Singing with Edith Barnard
Saturday, Oct. 18 ~ 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
Music Together: A Family Storytime Saturday, Oct. 25 ~ 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
Read On Book Club: Aretha Franklin & Mavis Staples Discussion Monday, Oct. 27 ~ 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave.
Check our future event calendars – print or online – for upcoming Peoria Reads events. |
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| Spooky Season is Here! |
The closer we get to Halloween, the more skele-TON of fun we have planned.
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Saturday, Oct. 25 ~ Rocky Horror Picture Show: 50th Anniversary 3 PM to 5:30 PM at Main Library auditorium, lower level 2 Free screening. Adults only. (Dress up if you want to, but please keep anything messy at home.) |
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Friday, Oct. 31 ~ Family Halloween Party (Movies and Crafts) Noon to 3:30 p.m. at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy. Free and for all ages.
Friday, Oct. 31 ~ Annual Haunted House & Trunk or Treat 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave.
Free and for all ages. |
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| Fall Break Fun All Around Illinois with your Library Card |
Explore More Illinois uses the power of your Peoria Public Library card to provide your family with free or discounted tickets to special attractions across Illinois – from theatre tickets to sporting events to admission to world-class museums. All you need is your Peoria Public Library card.
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How to Explore More Illinois?
Log into Explore More Illinois using your Peoria Public Library card.
Browse participating attractions, select a date to visit and make a reservation. Print or download your reservation.
You will need that and a photo ID.
You can have two active reservations per library card. If plans change, please cancel your reservation or it will count as being used. Remember, you cannot cancel once you print or download your reservation.
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Did you know you can also check out a one-day free pass to the Peoria Riverfront Museum with your Peoria Public Library card? It’s good for two adults and their children or grandchildren, who must all be under 18.
Each PPL location has ONE pass to be checked out on a first come, first served basis. Patrons must have a current PPL library card. The pass can be used the day it’s checked out or the day after.
Passes must be checked out in person at the Information Desk. ** Passes are not transferable. The person who checks out the pass will have to show a photo ID and their PPL library card to gain admission.
This special pass is thanks to the generosity of the museum’s Visionary Society. |
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| Save the Date: Author Maggie Stiefvater on Nov. 15 in Peoria | You won’t want to miss an afternoon with New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.
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Her latest book, "The Listeners" is a mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel—and a world—in peril. Already a bestseller! |
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Stiefvater has sold nearly 6 million books worldwide and is best known for her paranormal series "The Raven Cycle" and "The Wolves of Mercy Falls", which began with Shiver in 2009.
Be sure to mark your calendars for her visit to Peoria. Saturday, Nov. 15 ~ 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Main Library, 107 NE Monroe. Free and open to the public. |
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| Help Wanted: McClure Branch Manager | Peoria Public Library is looking for a full-time manager of our historic McClure Branch.
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Deadline to apply is 5 PM, Wednesday, Oct. 22. Salary range is $52,000 – $80,600 and includes a generous benefit package. |
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The ideal candidate will have a Master’s in Library Science and be able to provide excellent customer service by offering a full range of reference and reader’s advisory services for all users of the library. Will oversee every aspect of the branch’s daily operations and staffing.
More information is available here |
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