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!

Heritage Days Art Show

The Art Show will be open to the public during Princeville Heritage Days on Friday, June 23^rd from 9am until 6pm and on Saturday, June 24^th from 9am until 6pm.  The Lillie M. Evans Library is located approximately 1 block from the Stevens Square on the corner of Evans and Walnut.  Our address is 207 N Walnut, Princeville.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR an opening night reception on Friday, June 23^rd from 4:30-5:30pm. All artists, the public & the press are invited. Refreshments will be served.

In addition, starting Monday, June 26^th, the Art Show will be on display during the LME Library’s regular hours through July 15^th.  The library hours are Mondays & Wednesdays 9am-7pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 9am-5pm; and Saturdays 9am-1pm.  The library is closed on Sundays.

Art submissions should be picked up on the following days unless other arrangements have been made:

Monday, July 17th 9am-8pm

Tuesday, July 18th 9am-5pm

Wednesday, July 19th 9am-8pm

Thursday, July 20th 9am-5pm

Friday, July 21st 9am-5pm

Saturday, July 22nd 9am-1pm

Individuals who drop off artwork must pick it up or sign a release form for a third party to pick up.  

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!