Here are the February programs and events scheduled at the Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street. For more information on upcoming events, check out the library’s Facebook page, visit lions-online.org, or call 815-939-4564.
“Creating Tablescapes:” The Kankakee Kultivators Garden Club will host their monthly free presentation at the library on Thursday, February 8, at 1 p.m., in the third floor meeting room. This month they will demonstrate the art and how-to of creating tablescapes. No registration is required.
The Kankakee Kultivators, a local garden club, promotes the beautification of its community. They organize annual garden walks, give gardening advice, host guest speakers, and more.
Lawyers in the Library: In partnership with the library, Prairie State Legal Services invites residents to meet with a lawyer for free, on the second Thursday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please note these meetings have a new location on the third floor of the library. February’s event will be held on Thursday, February 8.
Representatives from Prairie State will offer free, one-on-one meetings with an attorney to give legal advice. All participants must complete a screening process before speaking with an attorney about civil legal matters.
Bingo, Books, and BP: Join others on Friday, February 9, from 10 a.m. – noon, at the library, for the free Bingo, Books, and BP. Please note, this event now will take place in the third floor meeting room. Every month, Bingo participants have a chance to win an assortment of prizes, including books! Light refreshments will be provided.
Concurrent with Bingo, an RN from St. Mary’s will be available to provide simple health checks, such as a blood pressure reading, as well as answer basic medical questions and provide referrals to various community resources.
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: The library hosts the free Tuesday Morning Book Discussion on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. The book discussion for Tuesday, February 13, will be about “Before We Were Yours,” by Lisa Wingate.
This New York Times bestseller is an emotional and enveloping novel that traces the story of children abandoned by the law and the battle to see justice done. The program is open to the public, so join us to discuss this book!
February Soul Collections Book Discussion: Come to the library for the monthly Soul Collections book discussion, which is a group that highlights Black authors and themes. On Thursday, February 22, at 5:30 p.m., the group will meet to discuss thoughts on “The Fire Next Time,” by James Baldwin.
A national bestseller when it appeared in 1963, “The Fire Next Time” gave voice to the emerging civil rights movement. It consists of two “letters” written on the occasion of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation that exhort Americans, both black and white, to attack the terrible legacy of racism. This event is free and will be held in the third floor meeting room.