News & Events
The 6th Annual Library Crawl will take place Oct. 1–31, 2024
Patrons visit area libraries throughout the month of the crawl and get a passport stamp at each library they visit. Bryan-Bennett Library patrons who receive five other participating library stamps in their passports can enter a prize drawing for library SWAG.
Smokey the Bear 80th Birthday Reading Challenge
Young patrons can complete a Smokey the Bear 80th Birthday reading challenge through November 28. The challenge is geared for ages 4 to 10, but all ages are welcome. Entry forms are available at the main desk. Those who complete the challenge will earn a compass/whistle/thermometer keychain combo.
Author Talk with Shelia Cisco October 24
All are invited to an author talk with Shelia Cisco on October 24 at 6:00 in the Davenport Room. Mrs. Cisco is a past educator, nurse, and professional counselor in the state of Illinois. She is a local author of multiple books including a book of poetry, “Of Visions and Dreams for Her Daughters,” published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. in 2021. Mrs. Cisco has also authored the children’s book, “Sir Gregory Groundhog of Essex County,” published by Christian Faith Publishing in 2023. No registration is required. All ages are welcome.
Jigsaw Puzzle Competition October 24
A seventh Jigsaw Puzzle Competition is planned for October 24 from 5:45 to 6:45. Teams of one to four people have one hour to complete as much of a 500 piece puzzle as possible. The team with the fewest unattached pieces after one hour will receive a $10 Walmart gift card and bragging rights. Registration is required by stopping by or calling the main desk giving first and last name of participants and a contact number for the team. Additional lighting and ambient music is allowed.
Game Night October 31
Families may drop in for a scavenger hunt and a quick game of BINGO in the library from 4:00 to 6:30 on Trick-or-Treat Night. Stickers will be the prize for scavenger hunt participants. Paper puppet theaters and books will be the prizes for BINGO winners. This program is tailored for families and children from Pre-K through 6th grades. Children under eight years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Dinovember Reading Challenge October 31 to November 21.
Dinovember Reading Challenge will run from October 31 to November 21. Patrons are invited to complete a dinosaur themed reading log for a dinosaur themed prize (coloring books, dinosaur shaped crayons, dinosaur books…). Patrons of all ages may participate by completing the form and placing it in the box at the main desk. Prizes will be given as forms are returned. No limit to number of entries.
Family Reading Night November 21
Family Reading Night will be a One and Only Moon Planetarium program on November 21 from 4:00 to 6:30. The thirty minute sessions will showcase several new moon discs. There is no fee to attend and this program is open to all ages. Registration is requested by stopping by or calling the main desk at the library.
Percy Jackson Escape Room November 14, 15, 16
Percy Jackson Escape Room is planned for Thursday, November 14 from 4 to 6:30, Friday, November 15, from 11 to 1:30 (school is out early this day in Salem), and Saturday, November 16, from 9:30 to 1:30. To participate in this free event, call or stop by the main desk to reserve a spot for a group of up to eight.
The Kaskaskia River Brass Band to Perform at Bryan-Bennet Library Reception on December 12
The Kaskaskia River Brass Band will perform at the reception on December 12. Band members are: Len Campbell, Tom Baker, Bill Reynolds, Bob Wilson, Mike Savard, and Tom Champion. Refreshments, including Wendy’s chili, fruit, cookies, and punch will be served at 1:00PM. Musical entertainment will begin shortly after. This event is tailored for older adults. Registration is required by calling or stopping by the library’s main desk. There is no fee to attend. Partly funded by the Friends of Bryan Bennett Library.
Santa Claus is Coming to Bryan-Bennett Library December 14
Santa’s visit to the library will be on Saturday, December 14, from 10 to noon. Girls and boys can make bookmarks, decorate a card, make a snowman bottle craft, and make a bag of hot cocoa mix to take home while waiting to talk with Santa. Caregivers may use their own cameras to take photos with Santa. Each child will receive a gift bag including a new book after talking with Santa. There is no registration or fee to attend. This program is designed for children fifth grade and under. Partly funded by F. O. B. B. L.
Visit with Santa and try to find the Elf on the Shelf on December 14 from 10 to noon.
Ongoing Programs and Events
One-on-One Assistance Available with Basic Computer Tasks and Smart Phones
Want to set up an email account or create a word processing document? Need help with learning how to save contacts to your new smart phone? See a circulation clerk or call the circulation desk to schedule a one-on-one session. Help topics as well as dates and times available will vary, call for more information.
Chess and Checkers Practice
Chess and checkers practice for all ages and skill levels at the Young Adult table continues on September 19 and October 17 from 5 to 6:30. Registration is requested so there will be an adequate number of chess and checkers sets available. Register at the main desk for practice either in person or by phone at least twenty-four hours in advance of the practices.
Preschool Story Time
This one hour long program is designed to encourage a love of reading in the very young. Children and caregivers are encouraged to join in ten minutes of play then transition to the story carpet for 45-50 minutes of reading, rhymes, songs, and sharing. Children will leave with a brown bag of cookies and a sticker.
Preschool Story Time will meet in the Davenport Room each Friday at 10. This hour-long program is designed for preschoolers and their favorite caregivers. Fall story times begin on September 6 and continues through November 22.
Leather Apron Club
The Leather Apron Club is a book club for young readers in Kindergarten through fourth grades and their caregivers. The group will meet on the first Thursday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30.
The author for the October 3 meeting will be Robert Louis Stevenson.
The author for the November 7 meeting will be Frances Hodgson Burnett.
The author for the December 5 meeting will be Cornelia Lynde Meigs.
Families can pick from a selection of books at the main desk.
This book club idea was inspired by the book "The Leather Apron Club: Benjamin Franklin, His Son Billy & America's First Circulating Library". During the hour, children and caregivers will have the opportunity to participate in an activity related to the books of the author of the month. There will be a read aloud from selections of the books and discussion and sharing time inspired by the Read Aloud Revival created by Sarah Mackenzie. Children will leave with a brown bag of cookies and a reading challenge for the next month.
Dominos Thursdays from 1 to 3
All adults are welcome to participate in the weekly dominos game. The group meets in the Glass Office/Reference Room just inside the East entrance of the Library.
There is no fee or library card required to join the game. The group brings snacks to share after the game.
Maker Stations
Ask at the circulation desk for one of four projects to create: paper airplanes, a DNA model, or cell phone speakers. In the tub the circulation clerk provides is step by step instructions and everything needed to complete the project. Keep the project but turn in the tub and contents to a circulation clerk when finished. No fee or library card is required to participate. These are available during normal business hours for all ages.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
The goal is to read 1000 books to a child before they enter Kindergarten. Children who have not yet entered Kindergarten are eligible to participate in this program with their caregiver. Caregivers may stop by the circulation desk to register and receive a program folder to record books. Children will receive incentives at each 100 book milestone (stickers, tote bags, buttons, new books).