IN THE LIBRARY LOOP - SEPTEMBER 2026
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Welcome to Peoria Reads 2026: Celebrating 25 Years! |
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Peoria Reads’ 25th anniversary kicks off this month and will continue through November, ending with a special event with Angeline Boulley, author of our chosen book for this year, Warrior Girl Unearthed.
New to Peoria Reads? Peoria Reads is our one city/one book program.
Take the power and pleasure in reading a compelling book and multiply that across a city of people with different thoughts and backgrounds. See the ripple effects as people who don’t normally cross paths come together. Watch as reading, normally a solitary task, transforms into a vibrant, social experience.
We chose Warrior Girl Unearthed as the book for this special anniversary because it resonates with our roots. Our first roots. Long before the city of Peoria existed, the Illinois River Valley was populated by a confederation of Native American tribes, including the Peoria tribe. There is value in revisiting our history, even when it is through the lens of contemporary fiction, specifically a high-stakes YA heist novel.
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley blends an exciting museum heist plot with deep cultural education about Indigenous repatriation and missing women. Peoria Reads Author Angeline Boulley is a bestselling Young Adult novelist, Printz Medal & Morris Award winner. She’s been deemed a Top 100 Young Adult author by Time magazine.
Boulley’s books have received praise for their authenticity, touching on heavy subjects including the mistreatment of Indigenous human remains, Indigenous sovereignty and the right of repatriation, and the systemic racism that helps drive an epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people.
Boulley is an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Her father is a traditional firekeeper. She has worked as the Director for the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education, as her tribe’s Education Director and Assistant Executive Director, and on the Board of Regents at Bay Mills Community College.
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| Thank you… | Celebrating 25 years of Peoria Reads would not be complete without acknowledging and thanking the women who started us on this path.
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Roberta Koscielski of Peoria Public Library and Nancy Rakoff of Common Place, which merged with Friendship House in 2020, each separately had the idea of starting a “one city, one book” project in Peoria. Instead, they joined forces. |
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Koscielski, who retired from Peoria Public Library in May 2022, explains the history.
“We created this project not only to encourage people to read, but also to read the same book as others to create conversation around the themes of selected books. The first book we chose was A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines.
“The first meeting of our newly formed committee was on September 11, 2001, a day when TV sets were on at Peoria Public Library and at Common Place during our committee meeting. Just nine days after that first committee meeting, Peoria Police Officer Jim Faulkner was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect for armed robbery. The suspect received a life sentence.
These two events, 9/11 and the killing of Officer Faulkner, happening so close together, drove home our resolve to help our community members engage in vital conversations spurred by the reading and discussion of great books with timeless themes.
As we celebrate 25 years of Peoria Reads, I am grateful that younger managers and staff from Peoria Public Library and partner agencies continue the leadership of Peoria Reads and that they still invite me to the planning meetings!”
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| Fine Free + Fare Free | September is National Library Card Sign-up Month. To celebrate, we once again are pleased to partner with CityLink and offer free bus rides throughout September.
| All you have to do is flash your library card to ride any regular CityLink bus route from Sept. 1-30. This applies to Peoria Public Library cards, as well as Peoria Heights, Fondulac (East Peoria) and Pekin libraries. |
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That’s the fare free part.
As for fine free, all these libraries are fine free too, which means you don’t have to worry if you return your materials a little late.
Also, check out our latest library card design for Library Card Sign-up Month!
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| Back -to-School Tools | September means Back-to-School is in full swing.
| Don’t forget that Peoria Public Library has digital resources you can use from home. All you need is your library card to set up free accounts. |
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https://peoriapubliclibrary.org/a-to-z-all-databases/
Brainfuse: Tap real, live tutors to help you with your homework, 24/7. Services include: Online tutoring, a writing lab, language lab and more. Explora: Explore 50 trusted databases for help with your research papers and projects.
Udemy: Access 25,000+ online courses, including biology, coding, computer science, Excel and more. Learn at your own pace.
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| September Program Highlights |  |
It’s a Party, Period! Tuesday, Sept. 8 4 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave.
For ages 10-14
Let’s break the stigma together! Join the Library and the Peoria County Health Department for a fun, relaxed, and open conversation all about menstruation. We will decorate a private canvas zipper pouch to keep your backpack stocked with essentials, play hilarious period-themed trivia games, and snack on all our favorite period-craving treats.
Registration is strictly required to ensure we have enough crafting supplies and snacks. Ages 10-14. Call 309-497-2600 to reserve your spot. |
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After Hours Horror Trivia with the Slash Sisters Friday, Sept. 11 6:30 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
For teens and adults
Calling all horror movie buffs! Join us for a frightfully fun after hours program as the Slash Sisters test your knowledge of horror movies past and present. Food, fun, and a chance to win gift cards to local businesses!
Registration required for planning purposes. |
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Papel Picado Craft: Hispanic Heritage Month Tuesday, Sept. 15 4:30 PM at Main Library, 107 NE Monro
For all ages
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by creating your very own papel picado! Papel picado is a traditional decoration made to celebrate Día de los Muertos and can be made with colorful paper and a pair of scissors. All ages are welcome.
Tie Dye Family Fun Sunday, Sept. 20 1 PM to 4 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
For all ages
Tie dye fun for the whole family! You bring the white garment to dye (at least 50% cotton) and we'll provide instructions and all other supplies.
Registration is required by September 13 to ensure adequate space and supplies. We will schedule this program in shifts, so please make sure to claim your time slot when you register.
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Talking Leaves: The Power and Voice of Native Storytelling Saturday, Sept. 19 2 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
For adults
Join Dr. Susan M. Stone, Professor of English from Loras College as we explore Native American storytelling through both the oral traditions and written languages with a historical and cultural overview of “The Talking Leaves”, Kachina dolls, and becoming “Listener-Readers.” |
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Local Teen Craft & Author Fair Sunday, Sept. 20 1 PM to 4 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.
For all ages
Join us for a creative and inspiring afternoon at the 3rd annual Local Teen Author & Craft Fair! This special event showcases the incredible talents of local teen authors, artists, and crafters, all offering a wide variety of unique, one-of-a-kind creations.
A portion of proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Library, helping support programs and resources for our community. If you are a teen crafter, artist, or author, we'd love to have you join us! Sign up by Sept. 13th. |
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Teaching Indigenous Literature with Dr. Kel Sassi Saturday, Sept. 26 10 AM at Main Library, 107 NE Monroe
For adults
Have you wanted to teach a work of Native American literature but held back because of uncertainty about getting it right? Have you taught an Indigenous text but didn’t feel the usual pedagogical approaches were a good fit? Are you experienced with Indigenous pedagogies and looking to share your knowledge with other teachers and librarians?
Join Professor Kel Sassi and the Peoria Reads initiative to learn and share ideas about pedagogical approaches to Indigenous Literatures. This workshop is a fantastic way to prepare for the Peoria Reads author visits by Angeline Boulley and Michaela Goade. Light Refreshments will be provided. |
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Grassroots Democracy: Illinois Labor Journeys Wednesday, Sept. 9 6:30 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.
For adults
Illinois was critical to workers’ finding their democratic voice through forming labor organizations. From Chicago’s Haymarket Square to southern Illinois coal mines, workers struggled to build unions, create safe work environments, and find a community voice through their united efforts. In building these organizations, workers often faced state repression and learned how to organize across ethnic, racial, and gender lines.
Workers like the Ottawa, Illinois, Radium Girls fearlessly stood up after their occupational exposure doomed them, helping create legislation to protect all workers. The eight-hour day, safety, and equal representation were critical to these efforts. The Pullman workers’ struggle against a company town launched the nation’s largest industrial strike. Women workers found their own voice and often built alliances with middle-class women to ensure their rights. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters faced discriminatory unions and built their own organization over a 12-year struggle to ensure representation.
Democracy is not just elections; it is “small d” democracy, too—workers finding their voice through organization and becoming critical community participants and workplace advocates. |
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Books & Badges Monday, Sept. 14 3:45 PM at McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Ave.
For children of all ages
A storytime intended to build relationships between young patrons, their families and Peoria residential police officers utilizing age-appropriate picture books focused on the challenges and joys children from all walks of life experience. |
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The Librarians ~ Documentary & Discussion Wednesday, Sept. 16 5:30 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
For teens and adults
In collaboration with the Interfaith Alliance of Central Illinois, Peoria Public Library is hosting a screening of the documentary, The Librarians. Join us as we celebrate the freedom to read!
About The Librarians Film: Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities.
In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQIA+ stories – triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work – the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale. Run time: 92 minutes
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Observe the Moon Night Saturday, Sept. 19 5:45 PM to 9 PM at Northmoor Observatory in Donovan Park
For all ages
Join us for our annual Observe the Moon Night in partnership with the Peoria Astronomical Society.
Arrive early to look at the sun through a sun scope at 5:45, then enjoy stories about the moon at 6 p.m. When the sun sets around 6:45, you can have the opportunity to look through the giant telescope in the observatory. Members of the Peoria Astronomical Society will be on hand to teach you about the moon and other celestial bodies that can be viewed with their telescope. |
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Boos & Booze and Peoria Players: In the Company of Dracula Wednesday, Sept. 23 6 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.
For teens and adults
Boos & Booze is taking the horror beyond the bar and into the stacks! Join us at the library as Peoria Players Theatre presents a special one-hour program on their upcoming production of Dracula.
Explore the dark origins of the classic vampire tale, its gothic roots, and how it has evolved through countless stage and screen adaptations. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the theatre’s October production and sink your teeth into the enduring legacy of the Count. Whether you're a horror fan or just vampire-curious, this is one literary night you won’t want to miss. |
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Fun Activities with Nanoscience (FAWN) Saturday, Sept. 26 2 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
For ages 6-12
Let's learn about nanoscience! FAWN is a youth-led educational initiative founded by a local high school student that introduces children to nanoscience through hands-on learning.
Registration is required to ensure adequate space and supplies. |
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