LME's FY2017 Annual Report

90th anniversary of the LME Library-Princeville Reads

The Lillie M. Evans Library District is celebrating our 90^th anniversary this year, and we continue with our special anniversary programming. In the month of September, we will host Princeville Reads. Princeville Reads is a community-wide reading and discussion program focusing on the book, One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson.  In One Summer, Bill Bryson, one of our greatest and most beloved nonfiction writers, transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life.  This book is especially relevant since the LME Library was founded in 1927. Starting September 1^st, ten copies of the book will be given away to the first Princeville Reads participants and additional copies will be available for checkout at the LME Library.

During Princeville Reads, we will also have several programs that focus on the 1927 time period.  These programs include:

Drone Aircraft on September 7^th 6:30pm—in 1927, Charles Lindbergh made aviation history by completing the first solo nonstop flight, but with the technological changes over the last 90 years, now anyone can fly!  Drones have many applications and they're only getting smarter, more powerful and less expensive. Many farmers are joining the trend by using drone sensors and robotics to supply data for agriculture.  Our speaker, Dean Poignant is a commercially licensed drone pilot.  He will discuss the many uses for drones, purchasing drones, and drone safety. If the weather cooperates, there will also be a flying demonstration to illustrate their capabilities.

Family Movie Night on September 11 6:30pm—join us for a family movie night featuring Laurel & Hardy and Our Gang. The movie night will be approximately 1 hour in length and appropriate for all ages. Laurel & Hardy were a comedy duo that became well known during the late 1920s through the mid-1940s for their slapstick comedy. They appeared as a team in over 100 films—some of them silent films. Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals, was a series of comedic short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. The franchise began in 1922 as a series of silent short subjects and was converted to sound in 1929. In total, the Our Gang series includes 220 shorts, one feature film, and featured over 41 child actors.

Ice Cream Social/Concert on September 17 3:00pm at Stevens Square—in case of bad weather, the program will be moved to the LME Library. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a concert from the Kewanee Community Band. Ice cream socials are a traditional gathering dating back to the 18th century and their popularity only increased when modern refrigeration became common in the 20th century.

Book Discussion on September 28 3pm—this program is for anyone interested in discussing the book, One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson. All readers are encouraged to attend the discussion session.

So join us for all the programs or just one but remember that Princeville Reads!

Summer of Discovery at LME Library

Registration for all ages starts Tuesday, May 30. It may be done online in the convenience of your own home, in person at the library or by phone. Online registration can be done through the library’s website at lmelibrary.org. Registration will continue throughout the month of June.

We are offering 4 different programs this summer. “Read-to-Me” is for birth through Pre-K. The children will get a prize after enjoying 10 books, and they will get a book to keep after reading 20 books. They may continue to read and get prizes as long as prize supplies last.

“Reading by Design” is the theme for K-5th graders (grade just finished). In this program, readers will get a prize every time they finish reading 90 minutes. After reading 360 minutes, readers in this age group will be invited to the private pool party put on by the library in mid-July. Additionally, this group also has been issued a challenge. If they collectively read a minimum of 19,270 minutes by July 8, one lucky winner will be drawn to either dump Jello on Ms. Anita’s head or have it dumped on them.

The “Summer Creators’ Showcase” is for 6th – 12th graders. This program will focus on creating/making/doing a project of the reader’s choice. Finished projects will be displayed or presented at a showcase here at LME on Friday, July 21st.

The “Summer Challenge 6 of 9” is for adults. The log sheet is set up like a tic-tac-toe board with different activities in each square. Upon completing 6 activities, the reader will be entered into a drawing for a prize basket.

That’s just the basics! In addition to the actual reading programs, many fun activities are filling June and July. We have a representative from Ameren doing a safety program, a juggler, a Guinness World Record holder, and a science show that will literally explode! There are also Toddler Storytimes, Pre-K Storytimes and Maker Camps (hands-on STEAM activities). The full calendar can be found on our website at lmelibrary.org.

Let’s not forget the kickoff dance party on Thursday, June 1st from 10-11:30am!!! Come sign up and have some fun in the process. Let’s get this summer of discovery started!

Friends fundraisers

There will be two upcoming painting programs at the Lillie M. Evans Library in Princeville.  Both are fundraisers for the Friends of the Library.  The mission of the Friends is to support the needs of the Library in a variety of ways. The Friends strive to enhance the available resources of our library to meet current and future needs of our community. Some of the items provided by the Friends include: furniture in the young adult area, Nintendo Wii gaming system, patron shopping cart, sturdy benches outside the library, and help with the summer reading program.

The first program is on Saturday, February 25, 10AM-noon – Cost $20. Come to the LME Library to paint away the winter blues! There will be a hot chocolate and coffee bar and staff from “Your Kiln Me” will instruct us on painting ceramic bunnies. Enjoy some creative time with friends and family @ the Library.  Class size is limited to 20, so be sure to register ASAP.  Cost is $20 for each bunny and bunnies will be fired at “Your Kiln Me” before being available for pickup.

The second program will be on Saturday, March 11, 10AM-noon – Cost $20. Come to the LME Library to paint a glass! There will be a luau theme and we’ll have a build your own kiddie cocktail bar.  No need to have experience—just come and enjoy some great creative time with friends @ the Library.  Class size is limited to 20, so be sure to register ASAP.  Cost is $20 and each painter will paint a glass to take home. 

Registration for each class is required. Children under 5th grade must be accompanied by an adult. Call the library at 385-4540 or email us at lill@lmelibrary.org to register – class size is limited so reserve your spot today! Any additional funds collected will go to the Friends of the LME Library. To join the Friends, please contact the library.

90th anniversary of the LME Library

The Lillie M. Evans Library District is celebrating our 90^th anniversary in 2017.  The first meeting for the purpose of establishing a public library in the village of Princeville was held in the Village Hall on May 31, 1927.  The library was known as the Princeville Public Library.  Since that time, the library has had many changes most notably the change in name to the Lillie M. Evans Library and the annexation referendum in November 1990 to expand to a district library.

In celebration of this milestone, the LME Library will be holding a series of events in 2017.  These will include:

• 90 years, 90 books—start off the New Year with a resolution to read 90 books in 2017!  Sheets are available in the LME Library to record your titles or you can use an app like goodreads.
• Program series in May—Join us at LME Library for a series of programs celebrating Princeville history. Programs include:

o   May 3^rd 2pm Highlights of Princeville History—The Princeville Heritage Museum will present a program on the history of Princeville from its establishment through the present day. Key events, individuals, and organizations will be highlighted.

o   May 10^th Focus on Princeville Business—Watch a slideshow featuring Princeville businesses through the years in the library or join us at the Princeville Heritage Museum’s Community Coffee (8-10am) to view and discuss

o   May 17^th 2pm Caterpillar’s History in Central IL— Caterpillar has had a great impact on Central Illinois, Princeville included. Lee Fosburgh, Corporate Heritage Services at Caterpillar Inc., will discuss Caterpillar’s history and workforce recruitment through the years.

o   May 24^th 2pm Canning Factory History in Princeville—Since 1922, the canning factory has been an important economic player in the history of Princeville. Seneca Foods employee will present a program on the history of the canning factory and the migrant workers program.

o   May 31^st 2pm One Room Schoolhouses—In the 19^th and early 20^th century, most American students attended one room schoolhouse. This closing program will focus on the history of education and the one-room schools houses in the Princeville area.

•           Princeville Reads in September—Princeville Reads is a community-wide reading and discussion program focusing on the book, One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson.  In One Summer, Bill Bryson, one of our greatest and most beloved nonfiction writers, transports readers on a journey back to one amazing season in American life.  This book is especially relevant since the LME Library was founded in 1927. Copies of the book will be available for checkout at the LME Library and all readers are encouraged to attend a discussion session.
•       Open House in November or December—Join us in celebration of the Lillie M. Evans Library and the completion of the library addition.

LME Biggest Loser 9

Let the library motivate you to get healthier this year! The Lillie M. Evans Library in Princeville will be hosting its 9^th season of the LME Biggest Loser. In seasons past, the library has helped many people lose weight and get healthier. Participation is free and the weigh-ins start on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Weigh-in every Wednesday between 9am-8pm through March 1^st. There will be a weekly prize drawing for those who weighed in that week and a $50 grand prize to the overall biggest loser at the end of the program.

To help participants achieve their goals, the library will be offering Zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 6:15 PM. The library also has yoga classes Mondays and Fridays @ 9:05 AM. These classes are free and open to all adults including nonresidents.  In addition, we have a great selection of workout DVDs and a variety of healthy cookbooks that you can checkout.

If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser reality show, now is your chance to compete in our local version. The LME Biggest Loser program runs from January 4-March 1 and can help you to shed pounds and get fit.  For more information about the LME Biggest Loser program, please contact us by phone at 309-385-4540 or visit the library’s webpage at lmelibrary.org.