IN THE LIBRARY LOOP - OCTOBER 2026
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Peoria Reads 2026: Celebrating 25 Years! |
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Peoria Reads’ 25th anniversary kicked off last month, but the big events start this month!
Join us Saturday, Oct. 10th for our Peoria Reads’ Block Party at Columbia Park, next door to McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Ave. We are hosting a family-friendly event where you can explore and learn about Indigenous culture and history.
We will have guest speakers from across Illinois, including a Chicago-based Native American chef who competed on Top Chef. She’ll be providing some tastings of Indigenous recipes. Start your day at the dedication of the first and only mural honoring the Indigenous history of the Peoria area and its longstanding connection to the Illinois River. The dedication ceremony is put on by ArtsPartners, and will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Main and Sheridan.
Then join us from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Block Party in Columbia Park, 300 W. McClure Ave., next door to our McClure Branch. Throughout October, we will host other Peoria Reads’ programming, including a book discussion on our chosen book, Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley, in anticipation of her Peoria visit on Saturday, Nov. 14th.
Learn more about Peoria Reads here
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Saturday, Oct. 10th
9:30 AM: Mural dedication at 700 West Main St. ArtsPartners of Central Illinois will dedicate a new public mural to honor the history, culture and enduring legacy of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, the Indigenous people whose history is at the root of the land and waterways of central Illinois, as well as the modern-day City of Peoria.
11 AM to 4 PM: Peoria Reads’ Block Party, Columbia Park, 300 W. McClure Ave. This family-friendly event, part of our Peoria Reads’ programming, invites you to explore and learn about Indigenous culture and history with guest speakers from across Illinois.
Food, games and more included. Free and open to all. |
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| October is Family History Month | Peoria Public Library has lined up a comprehensive day of webinars -- something for beginners to those ready to tackle finding Revolutionary War ancestors. Watch one webinar or do a deep dive.
While free, you need to register to receive the Zoom link and digital handouts. Try to register before Monday, Oct. 12th.
| Friday, Oct. 16 ~ Family History Month Webinarpalooza
VIRTUAL event: 10 AM to 4:45 PM RSVP here
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from genealogy experts from across the country. |
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Schedule of webinars:
9:00am – 9:50am Building Your Digital Family History Archive EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette (IL) Public Library
While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of digital files - from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work.
10:00am – 10:50am Researching Your Scottish Ancestors Erika A. Ward, PGCERT (Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies) Do you have ancestors who emigrated from Scotland? Are you unsure of which records exist, how to use them, or where to find them? This class explores the rich landscape of Scottish historical sources- including census, church, civil, and immigration/emigration records- to help you uncover the stories hidden in your Scottish heritage.
11:00am – 11:50am Cluster Research, or Discovering You’re Related to the Whole Block Jessica M. Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher
Learn how to start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question, explore essential records, and organize your discoveries.
12:00pm – 12:50pm Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher, Speaker, Author Learn how to start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question, explore essential records, and organize your discoveries.
2:00pm – 2:50pm Beyond the Family Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History
Genealogy often begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve meaningful family interviews.
3:00pm – 3:50pm Texas & Southern Genealogy Resources at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History Margaret Schlankey, Assistant Director for Public Services, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, UT The Briscoe Center has a vast collection of resources helpful to genealogists with roots in Texas and the American South. This presentation will go over what's available and how to access them.
4:00pm – 4:50pm Researching Your Revolutionary War Soldier: A Case Study Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc.
A Revolutionary War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records, pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found using a step-by-step methodology in a case study.
5:00pm – 5:50pm Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Houston (TX) Public Library’s Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
Do you have a passion for family history but are worried about who carries the genealogical torch after you? Join in for a special presentation on Gen Z + Genealogy- where we’ll discuss tips and tricks on how to foster understanding, communication, and participation with the younger generations, and ideas to better market genealogy to different age groups in ways that can increase interest in the topic all around. |
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| SAVE the DATE: Monday, Nov. 30 | Speaking of family history, are you the keeper of all the family documents and you don't want to haul those boxes of stuff around forever?
| Starting Nov. 30th, Peoria Public Library is excited to offer personal scanning equipment for photos, documents and slides. By appointment only. |
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We look forward to helping you save your memories. Questions? Please call (309) 497-2000, and ask for Local History.
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| Spend Fall Break at the Library! | School may be out for fall break, but that just means you have more time to spend at the Library!
Peoria Public District 150 will be on fall break from Oct. 5 through Oct. 16.
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Be sure to save the date for these programs. All are free, but some do require registration. |
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Monday, Oct. 5 ~ Chapters & Crafts Read-Aloud Book Club for Tweens 4-5 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
For Grades 5-8. Drop-ins welcome. This month’s theme: Dare to be Scared
Monday, Oct. 5 ~ Witch’s Cauldron Slime Lab 4-5 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave. Ages 6-18. Please RSVP by calling (309) 497- 2600.
Thursday, Oct. 8 ~ Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Movie) 5:30-7:30 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave.
For teens only. Free, but must RSVP by calling (309) 497-2600.
Friday, Oct. 9 ~ Cryptid Crafternoon
3-5 PM at Main Library, 107 NE Monroe Free and open to all ages. Drop-ins welcome.
Friday, Oct. 9 ~ DIY Haunted Gingerbread House 4-5:15 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave. Free and open to ages 6-12, but please call (309) 497-2600 so we have enough gingerbread houses for everyone.
Saturday, Oct. 10 & Sunday, Oct. 11 Halloween Costume Swap Shop at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
Open to all ages.
Saturday, Oct. 10 ~ Peoria Reads Block Party
11 AM – 4 PM at Columbia Park, 300 W. McClure Ave. Family-friendly event exploring Indigenous culture. Free and open to all.
Saturday, Oct. 10 ~ Teen Dungeons & Dragons 3-5:30 PM at Main Library, 107 NE Monroe Free, but RSVP via our online event calendar. For ages 13-18.
Tuesday, Oct. 13 ~ Catching On to Crafting 6-7:30 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.
Free. Drop-ins welcome. For Grades 7-12.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 ~ DIY Dragon Eye
10-11:45 AM at McClure Branch, 315 W. McClure Ave. Free. For ages 6-12. Drop-ins welcome.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 ~ Seedling Science 11-11:30 AM at Main Library, 107 NE Monroe Free and for ages 3-6. Drop-ins welcome.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 ~ Peoria Reads: Evening Family Storytime 4-5 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
Free and for all ages. Drop-ins welcome.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 ~ Messages of Hope: Card Making
4:30 -6:30 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave. Free and for all ages. Drop-ins welcome.
Thursday, Oct. 15 ~ Viral Craft Club: Mini Bookshelves 5:30-6:30 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave. For teens. Must call (309) 497-2600 to RSVP.
Friday, Oct. 16 ~ It’s Not Magic. It’s Chemistry! 2-3 PM at McClure Ave., 315 W. McClure Ave.
For children of all ages. Drop-ins welcome.
Friday, Oct. 16 ~ Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party
2:30-4 PM at Lincoln Branch, 1312 W. Lincoln Ave. Free and for ages 6-12, but RSVP by calling (309) 497-2600. ** The first 50 attendees will receive a gift bag.
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| Recap: Local Teen Craft & Author Fair | Every year, our Local Teen Craft & Author Fair grows a bit more! This year, we filled practically all of Lakeview Branch – and even had a food truck outside.
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If your teen is interested in exhibiting next September, they can get started making creations now with help from Craft & Hobby or by coming to our monthly Catching On to Crafting program at Lakeview Branch that is just for Grades 7-12. |
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The next one is: Tuesday, Oct. 13 ~ Catching On to Crafting
6-7:30 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave. Free. Drop-ins welcome. For Grades 7-12.
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| Welcome Best-Selling Local Author Brenda Rothert Oct. 8th | If you’ve been interested in checking out our Adult Fiction Writing Lab, this month is the perfect time to join.
| Brenda Rothert, a USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 romance novels, will join us and offer advice. She got her start by entering a dystopian romance in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. She did well, but didn’t win so she self-published the book. |
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Our monthly Adult Fiction Writing Lab is a place where you can network and brainstorm with other writers, followed by time to write.
Please bring your laptop or a notebook to write although we will have some notebooks and pens available!
Thursday, Oct. 8 ~ Adult Fiction Writing Lab
6-7:45 PM at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Pkwy. Free and open to all adults. Drop-ins welcome.
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| Celebrate National Hispanic American Heritage Month | September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month
Join Peoria Public Library in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
| In addition to themed programs, we offer up this list of books in our collection to explore: |
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| Banned Books Week: Oct. 4-10 | Celebrated every year, Banned Books Week is when we pause to reflect on the harms of censorship and celebrate our Freedom to Read.
The second-highest number of unique titles were challenged in 2025 since the American Library Association started keeping track.
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The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025. The highest ever documented was 4,240 in 2023.
Forty percent of the titles challenged in 2025 “represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color,” according to the ALA, also noting that 92 percent of all the challenges “were initiated by pressure groups, government officials and decision makers, up from 72 percent in 2024.” |
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Less than 3 percent of challenges originated from individual parents, the ALA states. Peoria Public Library’s Collection Development Policy protects the intellectual freedom of our patrons, and “shall prevent censorship of its library materials.”
In building our collection, we keep in mind ALA’s Core Values: Access, Equity, Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, the Public Good, and Sustainability.
According to the ALA, the Top 11 Most Targeted Titles in 2025 were:
1. Sold by Patricia McCormick 2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe 4. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5. (tie) Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo 5. (tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
7. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 8. (tie) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
8. (tie) Identical by Ellen Hopkins 8. (tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green
8. (tie) Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
“In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts,” said Sarah Lamdan, Executive Director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
“They were part of a well-funded, politically-driven campaign to suppress the stories and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals and communities.”
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| Half-Price Book Sale Starts Oct. 17th | The much-anticipated Customer Appreciation Sale at Friendly Finds starts Oct. 17th!
| Everything in the store will be half price! Like-new hardcover books for 50 cents! What?! Yes, we're serious. |
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Save these dates for our Customer Appreciation Sale: Saturday, Oct. 17 Monday, Oct. 19-21 and Saturday, Oct. 24
Hours: Noon to 4 PM Location: Friendly Finds, lower level 2 of Main Library, 107 NE Monroe. ** Main Library now has free parking.
Friendly Finds Bookstore is run by volunteers, our Friends of Peoria Public Library. All proceeds come back to the Library to help fund special events and programs.
Learn how you can be a Friend here
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| Halloween Fun at Peoria Public Library | From slightly spooky to super scary, Peoria Public Library delivers this October.
| Of course, we’ll host our annual all-ages Haunted House at Lincoln Branch on Halloween, but new this year we have more events just for teens and adults. |
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Weds., Oct. 21 ~ Local Hauntings 4-5 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave. Adults only. Drop-ins welcome.
Friday, Oct. 30 ~ Vampire Murder Mystery 6:30-8:30 PM at Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Ave.
Teens only. Must RSVP via our online event calendar.
Check out all our Halloween-theme events here
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| Hear ye, Hear ye... | North Branch has a new, larger community bulletin board for library and local announcements!
| Have news you'd like to share? |
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Email your flyer to JenniferDavis@peoriapubliclibrary.org
We prioritize library news and public notices, but we do our best to share free community events open to the public from Peoria-area clubs, organizations and nonprofits.Sorry, but we do not publicize fundraisers.
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