Centralia Regional Library District

Afternoon at the Movies
2025-03-22 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Join us for an Afternoon at the Movies, brought to you by the Friends of the Centralia Regional Library!
Admission is free and open to the public, with free refreshments. No registration is required!
Check here for which movie we’ll be watching.

Book Bites
2025-03-24 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Get a taste for reading with Centralia Regional Library’s book club for ages 7-11!
In this interactive club, kids will sit down at a place mat where they will be treated to the first chapter of a book on their plate. If they like the book, they may check it out and take it home. If they want to sample another book, they will trade places with another attendee to read the first chapter of their book, until everyone goes home with a book they like!
This book club is a fun way to get into reading for even the most stubborn of readers. There is no registration required to join, but a library card is needed to check a book out.
Book Bites will meet the 4th Monday of each month at 4pm, unless of a holiday or other closure. It will be in the 2nd floor Teen Room, accessible by elevator and stairs.

Family Fun
2025-03-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Get ready for some Family Fun!
Each month we have a different themed craft and activity for everyone of all ages to do. The featured activity for this Family Fun is fluffy slime. Other games and activities will be available too, so bring the whole family for an hour of fun!
This event takes place in our 2nd floor Youth Area, accessible by elevator and stairs.

Bingo with High Point Residence
2025-03-26 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-04-30 15:30 - 16:30 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Come play bingo with us and High Point Residence!
It’s free for anyone of any age to play with free prizes up for grabs, from snacks to home goods and seasonal decor to toiletries, so come join us!

Tales and Travel Memory Cafe
2025-03-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
NOTE: This event has been rescheduled for March 27, 2025, from February 27, 2025.
Embark on a virtual adventure to Hawai’i at the library with Tales and Travel!
Centralia Manor and Centralia Estates are partnering with Centralia Regional Library for a free and open-to-the-public “memory cafe” in the library’s 2nd floor Monken Activity Room (elevator accessible). Attendees will be able to “visit” a featured location through facts, stories, music, crafts, and snacks. All ages are welcome.
This program is open to the public and no registration is required ahead of time.

Teen Reading Club
2025-04-03 16:00 - 17:30 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
NOTE: This meeting has been rescheduled to April 3 from April 10.
Join Centralia Regional Library District’s Reading Club for teens (ages 13-17)!
This club is a laid-back type, with snacks and activities/games. Each month we’ll have a different book to discuss at the beginning of the meeting, but it’s alright if you don’t read it–all reading is welcome here, so tell us any kind of story you’ve read. It can be from a game, a movie, a news article, fanfiction, whatever!
And the more meetings you attend, the more entries you’ll get into a prize giveaway at the end of the year!
April’s book is I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson.
If you would like to join, fill out the online form or come into the Library to fill out a paper form whenever you’d like. We hope to see you there!

Healthy Cents: Eat. Move. Save. Illinois Nutrition Education Program
2025-04-05 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States

National Library Week
2025-04-07 - 2025-04-12 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Happy National Library Week!
Come tell us what draws you to the library as we celebrate the week with freebies at the front desk, DIY bookmarks upstairs, fun events, and a grand prize at the end of the week!
Just head to the front desk, the computer lab, or the Youth Department upstairs (elevator accessible) to join the fun.

Eat, Play, Grow
2025-04-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Join us for free and fun nutrition and activity lessons that bring together art, stories, and music for preschoolers and their caregivers!
This event is free and happens on the first Monday of each month starting January 2025, 4-5pm. You can sign up by just coming to class!
For more information, contact Krystal Pruden at kpruden@illinois.edu, by phone at 618-548-1446, or at 1404 East Main Street in Salem, Illinois, 62881. Contact Krystal if you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program.
The Illinois Extension and Eat-Move-Save is an equal opportunity provider. This material funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). College of Agricultural. Consumer and Environmental Sciences. University of Illinois; United States Department of Agriculture; Local Extension Councils Cooperating.

State Representative Blaine Wilhour Traveling Office
2025-04-09 11:00 - 12:30 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
110th District Legislative Assistant Lori Bear of Blaine Wilhour’s office will be in the Library’s back lobby once a month to help anyone with State issues, such as DCFS, FOID, fishing licenses, property taxes, etc.
Share your ideas, voice your concerns, and receive assistance with state government programs and issues.
An appointment is not necessary but if you would like to make an appointment, call 618-665-4109 or connect online at https://repwilhour.com/

Library Closing Early for Business After Hours
2025-04-10 14:00 - 19:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
We will be closing at 2pm in preparation for the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at our library. Our digital library is available 24/7 and we will be back to our regular hours first thing tomorrow morning.

The Art of Foraging with Alexis Nikole Nelson
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, IL, United States
Alexis Nikole Nelson is a forager and an outdoor educator using her platforms, TikTok account alexisnikole and Instagram page blackforager, to celebrate all the edible plants hiding in plain sight. She peels back historical layers on African American and Indigenous food traditions that have traditionally been repressed and empowers those living in food deserts with greater self- sufficiency.
Nelson received the James Beard Award for “Best Social Media” 2022, was chosen for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and as a TikTok Tastemaker, and was honored as part of Fortune Magazine’s Creator 25 in 2021. Nelson gave a TED Talk in 2022 and in 2023 joined the YouTube channel Crash Course to host a 15-episode botany series.
Alexis Nikole Nelson will be joined in conversation with Natalie Evans, a wild edible foods instructor.
Register
If you can’t make it to the live event, go ahead and register anyway; a recording will be sent to you for a limited time.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com

Chess Club
2025-04-12 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Whether you’re wanting to learn or just wanting to play, come join our Chess Club at Centralia Regional Library!
This club meets in the 2nd floor Monken Activity Room of the Library on the 2nd Saturday of each month, from 2-4pm. The Activity Room is accessible by elevator and stairs. No registration is required and all ages are welcome!

LEGO Club
2025-04-14 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Show off your love of LEGO and LEGO building skills in Centralia Regional Library’s LEGO Club for ages 7-11!
This fun, interactive club meets in the 2nd floor Youth Area every 2nd Monday of the month at 4pm, unless of a holiday or other closure. The 2nd floor is accessible by elevator and stairs.

Crochet Club
2025-04-14 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-05-12 16:00 - 17:30 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Join Centralia Regional Library District’s social Crochet Club!
Whether you’re new to the craft or a professional, bring your own project to work on as we chat and swap tips and ideas with each other. We will have extra yarn and hooks for those without. Please note that this is not a formal class.
No age restrictions or registration required to join–just come on in!
Crochet Club meets in the second floor Monken Activity Room on the second Monday of every month, unless otherwise noted. The Activity Room is accessible by elevator or stairs.

Book Club
2025-04-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Join the Centralia Regional Library District’s Book Club for adults!
For this meeting, we are reading West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge.
If you are interested in joining us by becoming a Book Club member, please fill out our member form, especially if you would like for us to place a hold on the book for you. You do not need to have a library card or live in Centralia to join.
Join the Facebook Group!

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Series: Healthy Living for the Brain and Body
2025-04-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for health aging.
Registration is encouraged (please check back soon).

Board Meeting
2025-04-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
The Centralia Regional Library District Board of Trustees meets the third Wednesday of every month.
Meetings are held in Monken Activity Room, 2nd floor, at the Main Library at 4:00 pm on the date designated and are open to the public. Accessible by elevator or stairs.
A link to the meeting agenda will be posted on this page and a paper copy at the Main Library.

Eat, Play, Grow: Special Event Egg Hunt for Kids and Container Garden Lesson for Adults!
2025-04-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Join us for free and fun nutrition and activity lessons that bring together art, stories, and music for preschoolers and their caregivers!
This very special Eat, Play, Grow! will have an egg hunt for the kids across the second floor of the Library, as well as a container gardening lesson for adults!
For more information, please contact Krystal Pruden at kpruden@illinois.edu or 618-548-1446.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Illinois Extension is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences of University of Illinois; United States Department of Agriculture; Local Extension Councils Cooperating. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. Learn more about Illinois Extension at https://go.illinois.edu/EatMoveSave.

AAPI Heritage Month Educational Scavenger Hunt
2025-05-01 - 2025-05-31 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Learn some history, win a prize! Each worksheet is different, so you can hunt several times if you want to learn even more (prizes are only given for the first completed worksheet, though). This scavenger hunt can be done at any time during the month in the Youth Department on the Library’s second floor (accessible by elevator and stairs). Get the whole family involved!

Art and Adventures with Author/Illustrator Dan Santat
2025-05-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Online, IL, United States
Join bestselling author and illustrator Dan Santat for an afternoon event all about books and art with friend and collaborator, author Minh Lê.
Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of over a hundred books for young people! Many of his books are New York Times-bestsellers, including The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, Are We There Yet?, and After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). His latest works include the best-selling graphic novels, The Aquanaut and A First Time for Everything. He is also the creator of the Disney animated hit, The Replacements.
Santat won the Caldecott Medal for most distinguished picture book in 2015, the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2023 and Golden Kite Award for Middle Grade Fiction in 2024.
Minh Lê is the award-winning author of picture books including Drawn Together (winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature), The Blur (with Dan Sanat!), Real to Me, Lift, and graphic novels such as Green Lantern: Legacy and Enlighten Me. In addition to writing books, Dan serves on the board of We Need Diverse Books, and has been a contributor to a variety of national publications, including NPR, HuffPost, and the New York Times.
Register
If you can’t make it to the live event, go ahead and register anyway; a recording will be sent to you for a limited time.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com

Family Fun
2025-05-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Centralia Regional Library District, 515 East Broadway, Centralia, IL, 62801, United States
Get ready for some Family Fun!
Each month we have a different themed craft and activity for everyone of all ages to do. The featured activity for this Family Fun is a bird nest paper plate art. Other games and activities will be available too, so bring the whole family for an hour of fun!
This event takes place in our 2nd floor Youth Area, accessible by elevator and stairs.

Poverty: A Discussion with Matthew Desmond
2025-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Online, IL, United States
Join us to close out our fourth season with bestselling author Matthew Desmond in conversation with award-winning journalist, Natalie Moore.
Desmond is a professor of sociology at Princeton University and author of the award-winning book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. The recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, Desmond was named one of “fifty people across the country who are most influencing the national political debate” by Politico 50 in 2016. His research focuses on poverty in the United States, city life, housing insecurity, public policy, racial inequality, and ethnography.
Natalie Moore is an award-winning journalist based in Chicago, whose reporting tackles race, housing, economic development, food injustice and violence. She is the author of the acclaimed The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation and co-author of The Almighty Black P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall and Resurgence of an American Gang. Moore is the recipient of Chicago Library Foundation’s 21st Century Award and a Studs Terkel Community Media Award among many others. Her work has helped shift the way Chicagoans today think about segregation in the region.
Register
If you can’t make it to the live event, go ahead and register anyway; a recording will be sent to you for a limited time.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com
