PreSchool
Friday, December 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 – Fun Time Storytime – North Branch – 10:15-10:45 a.m. – Fun stories and songs for children ages 3-6. 497-2100 FREE
Wed., December 7 – Fun Time Storytime – Main Library, Art Gallery – 10:00-10:30 a.m. – Fun stories & songs for children ages 3-6. Enjoy a special storytime featuring author and quilter Sue VanWassenhove. She will share some of her quilts and poems inspired by wildlife in the Florida Everglades. 497-2000 FREE
Mon., December 12 – Storytime: Sharing Holiday Cheer with Shelter Dogs and Cats – North Branch – 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Start the holiday season on a high note by helping the less fortunate, shelter dogs and cats, with a storytime filled with messages of the importance of sharing and caring for others. Children ages 3 – 6 are asked to bring a small wrapped gift (pet food or pet toy) for a dog or cat. Kitty Yanko of the Peoria Humane Society will talk about pet care and show children the safe way to approach dogs. Crafts & refreshments while supplies last. 497-2000 FREE
TuesS, December 13 – Hot Air Balloonza! – Lincoln Branch – 10:00-10:45 a.m. – up, up, and away! Come visit Lincoln Branch’s new storytime room. Listen to fun hot air balloon stories and enjoy a hot air snack. We’ll also do a fun craft that you can take home. While supplies last. Ages 3-6. 497-2600 FREE
Tues., December 20 – Virtual Hot Air Balloon Ride – Lincoln Branch – 10:00-10:45 a.m. – Have you ever been on a hot air balloon ride? No? Come to the Lincoln Branch and experience a virtual hot air balloon ride. Listen to uplifting stories as you soar above the trees. Make a great balloon craft to take home and relive your hot air balloon ride. While supplies last. Ages 3-6. 497-2600 FREE
Grade School
Thurs., December 1 – Science Sleuths – North Branch – 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Are you the designated spider catcher for your household? Do you stay up late to view the wonders of the cosmos? Is your fossil collection the wonder of the neighborhood? Join us each month to learn how the library can help you explore the mysteries of the universe. Experiments, outdoor exploration and fun included! This month: Kitchen Chemistry! Why do biscuits rise? How do you get from milk to butter? Children 3rd-5th grade. 497-2102 FREE
Sat., December 3 – Craft Hour Saturdays – Main Library – 3:30-4:30 p.m. Looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon? Join us twice monthly in the Children’s craft area for some crafting fun. Kids in grades K – 6th can drop in anytime between 3:30 and 4:30 to do the day’s craft while supplies last. 497-2000 FREE
Sat., December 10 – PAWs to Read – Main Library –; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Readers ages 7 and up are invited to join us for this event. Spend some time reading to a friendly dog who loves to sit and listen to stories. Important! Please call PAWs at 672-2447 to register to read to a dog! FREE
Thurs., December 29 – Girls Rock PJ Party! – Lincoln Branch – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Calling all girls! Dance on over to Lincoln Branch Front & Center for a fun-filled PJ party. We’ll have snacks, along with fun girly activities! Ages 4-10. 497-2600 FREE
Middle School/High School
Mondays & Tuesdays, December 12, 13, 19, 20, & 27 – Project Next Generation – Lincoln Branch Front & Center – 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Middle school students are invited to register for Project Next Generation, a mentoring program sponsored by Secretary of State Jesse White. This program offers opportunities to develop personally and learn new skills and technology. Grades 5-8. Registration required. 497-2600 FREE
Wed., December 14 – Talk About Good! – North Branch – 4:00-5:00 p.m. – For sparkling conversation, door prizes, and tasty treats, drop in on our monthly discussion of books selected by middle school-aged readers. This month, we will be discussingThe Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander and Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater. Read one or both of the books, the choice is yours! Grades 4-8. 497-2100 FREE
All Ages
The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest – All locations – Do you love to read? Are you a trivia nut? Do you like free prizes? Join the Great Scavenger Hunt Contest, hosted by Young Adult author Kay Cassidy! All you have to do is go to www.kaycassidy.com/hunt, choose a book from one of the lists, print the trivia challenge, and read the book. Turn your completed trivia challenge in @ any Peoria Public Library location. If you get 8 out of 10 answers correct, your name will be entered into a nationwide drawing for a $50 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. A winner will be chosen each month by Kay Cassidy. Take as many quizzes as you want each month for more chances to win! Ages 8-18. 497-2120 FREE
Sat., December 3 – Give Green: Recycled Crafts – North Branch – 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Save green and give green this holiday season at the Peoria Public Library North Branch. Join us for a gift making session for all ages! Participants will learn how to use recycled materials to create one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people on their list. Open to ages 10 and up. RSVP by November 20 as materials are limited to 50 participants. 497-2100 FREE
Thurs., December 8 – Get Ready, Get Set, Get Moving! – North Branch – 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Get ready, get set, and get moving with ZumbAtomics and Running Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger! For a rousing and invigorating storytime filled with music, motion, and tips to start the 2012 New Year off right, kids and parents/caregivers are invited to attend this energetic story hour! We’re never too young or too old to develop a healthy lifestyle with pleasing results! Join Kristi DeJarld, Landmark’s Fitness Director, and Adam White, Running Central’s Owner-President, as they demonstrate and discuss ways to introduce running and fitness into the lives of our children. Join us for a rockin’ good time at the library! 497-2158 FREE
Sat., December 17 – Christmas is Coming! – Lincoln Branch – 2:00-4:00 p.m. – Come to Lincoln Branch for a Christmas celebration. Listen to festive Christmas stories and make a fun ornament craft. Santa will also be stopping by with his own special treats. While supplies last. 497-2600 FREE
Sat., December 17 – Holiday Make It! Take It! – Main Library –; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Make a fun and simple holiday craft. While supplies last. 497-2700 FREE
Thurs., December 22 – First Night of Winter Storytime – North Branch – 7:00-7:45 p.m. – Celebrate the first night at winter with the Peoria Public Library. Bring a blanket to stay warm while listening to some chilly tales and a wintry mix of songs. 497-2100 FREE
Tues., December 27 – Admit One! Movie Night – Lincoln Branch – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Come to Lincoln Branch to get your free ticket to Lincoln Branch’s Admit One movie night. Watch “Kung Fu Panda 2” and enter your movie ticket in to a door prize drawing at the end of the night! All ages. 497-2600 FREE
Tuesday-Friday, December 27, 28, 29, & 30 – PAWs to Watch a Movie – Main Library – 2:30-4:00 p.m. – PAWs to watch a famous dog movie at the library. 12/27: Snow Dogs (PG); 12/28: Santa Buddies (G); 12/29: Search for Santa Paws (G); 12/30: Snow Buddies (G). All ages welcome. 497-2700 FREE