Adult ProgramsPersonalized Picks! Email the library to register. 2026 Book Bingo Reading Challenge · Reading in any format counts (book, ebook, audiobook, etc.). · Books may be used to cover more than one square. · To earn bingo, complete a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. Return your blackout bingo sheet by January 9, 2027 to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Cards may be returned in person, by mail, or by emailing a photo of your completed card to info@communitylib.org. Blind Date with a Book: Unearth a Story Ready to discover a new favorite read? Stop by and take a chance on this twist from our Blind Date with a Book program where each book is wrapped so the title and author remain a mystery with only a few clues being revealed to guide you. To celebrate this year’s theme, Unearth a Story, each book will be labeled with a category to help you dig into a genre you love, or maybe try something new. Choose a wrapped book, check it out, and unwrap your surprise at home. Will you discover a hidden gem or a new favorite author? There’s only one way to find out, start digging and unearth a story! Read your Blind Date Book for a chance to win a prize. Once you finish reading your book, fill out a bookmark and return it to be entered into our prize drawing. Each completed book earns one entry. June 1-30 | Salem & Twin Lakes D&D for New & Experienced Players Come and play Dungeons & Dragons. No worries if you don’t have experience, we’ll show you how to play. If you’re an experienced player, we’ll make sure things are exciting for you as well. Wednesdays | June 3, July 1, August 5 Mondays | June 15, July 13, August 17 Storytime for Adults in the Library Garden Join us for a relaxing garden storytime for adults. Enjoy a timeless story about making the world more beautiful, followed by a peaceful time in the garden. Perfect for anyone who loves nature, stories, and a moment of calm. Participants are encouraged to bring a folding chair or blanket for comfortable seating. This program is designed to be inclusive for individuals with and without developmental disabilities. Wednesday, June 10 | 6pm-7pm | Salem | Register Genealogy Group Connect with other local genealogists and share your successes, roadblocks, and research tips. Explore the library’s local history and genealogy resources. All levels of genealogy experience are welcome. Thursdays | June 11, July 9, August 13 | 2pm-3pm | Salem | Register Canva Basics Learn the basics of Canva, an easy way to create professional graphics for social media, presentations, newsletters, business cards, and more. Graphic design experience is not required. Bring your own device, or use one of our laptops. Friday, June 12 | 2pm-3pm | Twin Lakes | Register Take & Make Pick up a craft kit to complete at home, while supplies last. American Flag Beaded Pin Celebrate 250 years of the USA with this kit that includes everything you need to weave red, white, and blue beads into a classic American flag pin. It’s a simple and rewarding DIY project that results in a wearable piece of art perfect for the Fourth of July. Patriotic Fabric Flowers Craft a patriotic flower using layers of vibrant red, white, and blue fabrics. This easy-to-assemble floral accessory is a perfect way to add a festive, handmade touch to your home decor. Saturday, July 11 | Salem & Twin Lakes Create a story for your future self! As part of our Summer Reading theme Unearth a Story, pick up a time capsule kit and preserve a few memories from today. Write a letter to your future self, record your favorite things, and add small “artifacts” that represent your life right now. Seal it up and open next summer. Saturday, August 8 | Salem & Twin Lakes Create and Meditate: A Guided Creative Break This is a peaceful, low-pressure series of programs that blends mindfulness and creativity. Each session begins with a short guided meditation to help participants relax and clear their minds, followed by a simple hands-on art or craft activity designed to be soothing rather than skill-based. This series is about process, not perfection - an opportunity to unplug, breathe, and enjoy creating in a calm, welcoming environment. Gentle Beginnings: Neurographic Art Neurographic art is a mindful drawing technique that combines free-flowing lines with gentle, repetitive patterns to promote relaxation and focus. This soothing, process-based activity is about calming the mind rather than creating a perfect picture. Monday, June 15 | 6pm-7pm | Salem | Register Relax with a short guided meditation followed by a calming shell-painting activity inspired by ocean waves and summer breezes. This mindful program focuses on relaxation and creative expression rather than perfection. Begin with a short guided meditation, then unwind with soothing watercolor techniques that allow colors to blend and flow naturally across the page. No experience needed, just come ready to relax and enjoy the creative process. Seaside Treasures: Decoupage Shell Trinket Dish Create a charming trinket dish by decoupaging colorful napkins onto seashells. Perfect for holding jewelry, keys, or little treasures. This project combines creativity with a touch of the beach. Discover the Basics of AI Get an easy, beginner-friendly introduction to how artificial intelligence works and how you can use it in everyday life. We’ll explore and test common tools, and see practical examples and simple tips to help you feel confident using AI responsibly. Monday, June 22 | 1pm-2pm | Salem | Register Wednesdays | July 29, August 12 | 1pm-2pm | Twin Lakes Register Watercolors in the Salem Garden Join us in the library garden for a fun watercolor painting session. Whether you’re sketching flowers, leaves, or anything you imagine, this program is a relaxing way to enjoy art outdoors. All skill levels are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring a folding chair or blanket for comfortable seating. The Bunco Bunch! Join us for this fun fast-paced dice game. Let’s roll! Thursday July 23 | 1pm-2pm | Salem | Register Tuesday, August 18 | 6pm-7pm | Twin Lakes | Register The Ancient Paleontological History of Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest with Jason Rehorst Journey back into Earth's ancient history and discover the life that once lived in the Upper Midwest with Jason Rehorst of the Virtual Museum of Geology. Learn about rocks found in Wisconsin and Illinois and what they tell us about ancient organisms that once roamed the area, as well as new fossil finds and the museums that they can be found in. From the beginnings of life to the megafauna of the Ice Age, fossils bear evidence of the dramatic changes that have taken place in the Midwest over the last 4.6 billion years. Monday, June 29 | 6pm-7:30pm | Salem | Register Reptiles in the Library Tuesday, June 30 | 6pm-7pm | Twin Lakes | Register Puzzlepalooza Jigsaw Puzzle Competition July 1-July 31 | Salem & Twin Lakes Boards and Bites: Charcuterie Board Workshop Get ready for summer entertaining by creating a one-of-a-kind decorative serving board. Participants will paint and personalize a wooden board using simple designs, patterns, or seasonal touches to create a piece that is both beautiful to display and functional for light serving. We’ll also share easy tips to make a simple summer charcuterie board. Participants will enjoy a sample board during the program. Shibori Stripes Watercolor Inspired by the Japanese shibori method of tie-dyeing fabric using the color blue, we will use the “wet on wet” watercolor technique to create a blue and white abstract painting. You’ll enjoy the process of watching the color flow without worrying about color mixing or arranging. Blood Drive Hosted by the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin. Appointments are encouraged. Please sign up with the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin on their website. Thursday, July 9 | 10am-2pm | Salem | Register What is a Dinosaur? Presented by Kenosha Dinosaur Museum A lot of prehistoric animals get confused with dinosaurs, but what is a dinosaur really? Join Nick Wiersum, Curator of Education, as he discusses the necessary criteria that scientists use to call something a dinosaur while exploring the skeletons on display. Learn about the tools used to excavate dinosaurs in the field and participate in a simulated dinosaur dig! Saturday, July 11 | 10am-11:30am | Twin Lakes | Register Antiques Appraisal with Mark Moran Join us for a 3-hour antique appraising event. Antique expert and author Mark Moran will appraise 40 local heirlooms ranging from fine art and toys to books and more. Spectators are welcome throughout the program and Mr. Moran's appraisals will be presented on a large screen for all to see. Appraisals require pre-registration, with a limit of 1 appraisal per person. Due to the tremendous interest in this event, Mr. Moran will not be able to take walk-ins. A list of approved and excluded items are listed on the library’s calendar. Mr. Moran is available to make home visits for a fee for people with big things or fragile things (or a lot of things). To arrange, call 715-281-5060 or email moranm1953@gmail.com. Mr. Moran has appeared as a guest expert on Antiques Roadshow and has appraised antiques and collectibles at more than 1,000 events across the country. Saturday, July 18 | 11am-2pm | Salem | Register What Jurassic Park Got Right Presented by Kenosha Dinosaur Museum Don’t you just love Jurassic Park? The acid-spitting Dilophosaurus? The clever Velociraptor? The massively impressive T. Rex that can’t see you if you don’t move? Join Nick Wiersum, Curator of Education, to learn about what the Jurassic Park movies got right and how they’ve reignited a global passion for paleontology. Displays and an interactive dinosaur dig pit will add to the fun. Tuesday, July 21 | 6pm-7:30pm | Salem | Register Watercolor Flower Seed Packet with Jennifer Evans Artist and teacher, Jennifer Evans from Periwinkle Art Studio, will teach participants how to use watercolor paints to create a floral design inspired by vintage seed packets. All supplies provided. Wednesday, July 22 | 6pm-7pm | Salem | Register Gateway’s Fab Lab: Beginning CAD in Tinkercad John Zehren, Gateway's Fab Lab Coordinator, will be leading a session on basic design, project setup and 3D printing in Tinkercad to make a fidget spinner. While prior computer drawing experience is helpful, it is not required. Bring a flash drive or purchase one at the library. Monday, July 27 | 2pm-4pm or 5:30pm-7:30pm | Salem | Register Ukulele Jam with Ms. Kuhlow Music Join us as Ms. Kuhlow teaches how to play the ukulele. Learn four or more chords, basic strum patterns and play a few top hits together. Special musical requests encouraged. Bring your own ukulele or some will be available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. Patriotic Cork Flag Join us to create a rustic American flag made from upcycled wine corks. Perfect to hang in your home or office. Thursday, July 30 | 6pm-7pm | Salem | Register Jigsaw Puzzle Swap Refresh your jigsaw puzzle collection by swapping your gently-used puzzles for something new.Drop off puzzles at either branch July 20-31 and receive one ticket for each puzzle donated. Puzzles should be in good condition with no missing pieces and in the original box. 1pm-1:15pm | Trade your ticket(s) for a puzzle(s) 1:15pm-2pm | Puzzles available to take without a ticket Storytime for Adults Escape into a cozy and creative afternoon with our Adult Storytime event. Join us as we dive into Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott, followed by a hands-on craft activity. Monday, August 3 | 2pm-3pm | Twin Lakes | Register DIY Folded Book Vase Transform a used book into a unique, sculptural vase through simple folding and cutting techniques. This eco-friendly workshop blends literary charm with home decor, resulting in a stunning centerpiece that honors the beauty of the printed word. Summer Reading Picnic with Dinosaur Dimensions! Strutz Entertainment presents Dinosaur Dimensions featuring interactive dinosaur puppets and animatronics. Afterward, stay to play outdoor games and enjoy hot dogs as we celebrate the conclusion of our Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors. Saturday, August 8 | 11am-1pm | Salem Front Lawn Register for all attendees Michelle’s Monarch Butterfly Exhibit Stop in to view Michelle's Butterfly Exhibit and learn about these fascinating creatures and their conservation. Color Craze Do you like coloring in between the lines? Join us for an hour-long coloring session. It will be a color-ific time! It’s a Hoot: Felt Owls You’ll get a HOOT out of making these cute felt owls to decorate your home. Transform simple pieces of colorful felt into a charming, wide-eyed companion at our upcoming library craft session. All materials are provided, just bring your creativity and get ready to give your new feathered friend some personality. |
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