Couch Potato Story Walk
2025-07-01 | Tower Square, Tower Square Plaza, Marion, IL, 62959, United States
Follow the story around the square then pick up a prize in the Children’s Department when you’re done!
ALL MONTH LONG

Library Closed in Observance of Independence Day
2025-07-04 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959

Life Size Board Games
2025-07-10 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
Candyland, Jenga and Connect 4 are just a few of the life-size games you can play at the library today! Visit all three floors and have some snacks too!

All Ages

Blueberry Cake Story Walk
2025-08-01
Follow the story around the square and pick up your prize in the Children’s Department when you’re done!
ALL MONTH LONG.
Ages Birth to 12

Library Board Meeting
2025-08-11 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-10-20 18:30 - 19:30 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959

Friends of the Marion Carnegie Library Book Sale
2025-08-29 09:00 - 2025-08-30 16:00 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
Come join and take a look at the wonderful books that are for sale at the Friends of the Marion Carnegie Library Book Sale!
All Ages welcome!

Lawyer in the Library
2025-09-16 17:00 - 19:00 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
An attorney will be available for 20-minute, one-on-one meetings to assist with legal coaching, document review, referrals to additional community services, e-filing court documents, and legal questions.

7th Annual Library Crawl
2025-10-01 - 2025-10-31 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
This October, take some time to appreciate some of our incredible libraries throughout the State of Illinois!
The Annual Library Crawl is a unique event organized by the public libraries of Illinois Heartland Library System as a fun way to introduce our public library’s patrons to the other libraries of the IHLS service area. Patrons can visit area libraries throughout the month of the crawl and get a passport stamp at each library they visit. Some patrons have tried to visit every library in the crawl! The main purpose, though, is to help participants discover the many, many great resources available to them with their library cards.
Pick up a Library Crawl Passport from MCL’s Main Desk, and get a stamp from each participating library you visit.
Share your posts with the hashtag #IHLSLibraryCrawl2025 to let everyone follow your adventure! The first three Marion Carnegie Library patrons who return a passport with at least five stamps will receive a small gift bag of Marion Carnegie Library branded items!
ALL MONTH LONG!

Enchanted Millinery
2025-10-30 16:30 - 19:30 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
Stop by Carnegie Commons during the Enchanted Square event and create a witchy fascinator. Hats and embellishments will be provided. This will be a come-and-go craft — patrons can stop by anytime between 4:30pm and 7:30pm while participating in the full Enchanted Square event happening on the square. The Enchanted Millinery craft is strictly for ages 18 and older.
Ages: 18+

Friends of Marion Carnegie Library Book Sale
2025-11-21 09:00 - 2025-11-22 17:00 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
The Friends of Marion Carnegie Library will host a book sale on Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd from 9am to 4pm in the McCoskey Room.

Stop by that Saturday from 2pm to 4pm to fill a bag for $5!

Food for Fines
2025-12-01 - 2026-01-31 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
Support the Marion community while taking care of some MCL late fees when you participate in our annual Food for Fines program!
Visit the MCL Main Desk and donate items listed in the “What can I donate?” section of our Food for Fines page. All donations will help local non-profit Gum Drop Kids provide child-friendly food to help enhance the quality of life for at-risk children.
You’ll receive $1 in MCL account credit for each donated item. Only valid to waive overdue fines.

Season's Readings
2025-12-02 17:00 - 19:00 | 206 S Market St, Marion, IL, United States, Illinois 62959
Visit the Library to get in the festive spirit! Fun activities on every floor!
Children’s Department

Ice Fishing
Snowball Fight
Snowman Bowling
Snowflake Stamp Craft

Main Floor

Beeswax Candle Craft
Hot Cocoa in Carnegie Commons

YA Department

Giant Jenga
Waterless Snow Globe Craft
Popcorn

PNG Lab

Custom Wooden Ornaments

MCL's 110th Birthday Celebration
2026-03-02 17:00 - 19:00
You’re a part of our story!

We’re celebrating our 110th birthday on Monday, March 2nd from 5pm to 7pm. Join us and journey through more than a century of reading and information!

Step into history by passing through the original library entrance on Market Street. Enjoy refreshments, activities, and historical displays throughout the building. Sign our card, strike a pose in our photobooth, and take home a vintage-styled postcard and bookmark!

Marion Carnegie Library opened its doors to the public on February 29th, 1916, and has gone through several renovations over the years. Throughout it all, the library has been dedicated to offering resources and programs, as well as fostering connections within the community.

Friends of Marion Carnegie Library Book Sale
2026-03-20 09:00 - 2026-03-21 16:00
The Friends of Marion Carnegie Library will host a book sale on Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st from 9am to 4pm in the McCoskey Room.

Stop by that Saturday from 2pm to 4pm to fill a bag for $5!

Friends of Marion Carnegie Library Book Sale
2026-05-29 09:00 - 2026-05-30 16:00
The Friends of Marion Carnegie Library will host a book sale on Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th from 9am to 4pm in the McCoskey Room.

Stop by that Saturday from 2pm to 4pm to fill a bag for $5!

Library Garden Party: Summer Reading Kickoff
2026-06-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Mandala Gardens, 1704 N State St, Marion, IL, 62959, US
Join us at Mandala Gardens for our Summer Reading Kick-off!

Enjoy a fun evening with multiple businesses and organizations, and register for MCL’s Summer Reading challenges. Downtown Fizz and Drizzle Donuts will be there, along with entertainment from yo-yo performer Jack Hudspath. Look out for the cute and friendly donkeys with their handlers for photo ops!

Life Size Board Games
2026-06-11 17:00 - 19:00
Enjoy life-sized games on every floor!
Yahtzee, Connect 4, Jenga, and more!

Freedom to Read: An American 250 Celebration
2026-06-30 16:00 - 18:00
MCL is celebrating 250 years of The Declaration of Independence!
Add a leaf to the Liberty Trees to celebrate independence and the pursuit of happiness. Take a selfie with The Statue of Liberty and enjoy a cookie. Watch an 18th century spinning wheel demonstration with the Black Sheep Fiber Guild and visit with costumed volunteers with the Harrison-Bruce Historical Village.

Children’s: Themed crafts and balloon horse races
YA: Hamilton showing
Main Floor: Teas of the Boston Tea Party and community jigsaw puzzle
