Baseball Story Hour
2026-06-24 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Mtn Dew Park, 1000 Miners Drive, Marion
Join MCL and The Thrillbillies and read a book about baseball, sing and dance, and take home a fun baseball craft!

PNG at MCL: Open Lab
2026-06-24 13:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-25 13:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-26 12:00 - 16:00, 2026-06-29 13:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-30 12:00 - 19:00
Work with any of our equipment & create whatever you can imagine!
Funding for Project Next Generation is provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
Ages 10-18

The Bookworms
2026-06-24 16:00
Join ‘The Bookworms’! A teen book club where we discuss anything you want to read. Stay for a movie based on a YA novel!

Adult Craft: Birdhouse Plant Stake
2026-06-25 15:00, 2026-06-25 17:30
We will be creating a houseplant stake from corks and other materials.
Required registration begins on June 17th.

Playroom Playdate
2026-06-25 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-30 10:00 - 12:00
Meet up with friends and make new ones in our fun playroom!

The Teen Lounge
2026-06-25 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-29 16:00 - 19:00
Want a chill place to hang after school? Take advantage of our YA Department to study, craft, game, or read!
We have craft supplies, board games, video games, and more for teens to enjoy and get creative with!
Ages 12-18

Runaway Puppet Theater
2026-06-26 14:00 - 15:00 | The Pavilion Events, 1602 Sioux Dr, Marion, IL, 62959, US
This summer, Runaway Puppet Theater presents three stories in their new show for Summer Reading 2026: Tall Tales, Tiny Heroes.
Laugh along with the outrageous tale of the Ugly Duckling (who suspiciously looks like a dinosaur), the madcap adventures of the Tiger and the Mouse, and the zany antics of Rumpelstiltskin!
The show also features interactive sing-alongs and humorous water buffalo jokes (well, at least we hope they’re humorous…) It’s the perfect summer adventure to help readers of all ages Unearth a Story!

MCL Book Club
2026-06-27 10:00
We will meet in the McCoskey Room to discuss the book Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence by Carol Berkin.
Meet in the McCoskey Room
Bonus! This book will also count towards one of the Adult Summer Reading Challenges

Tween Movie
2026-06-27 13:00
Come watch a fun tween movie!

Stories of African American Resilience Under the Illinois Black Codes, 1819 - 1865
2026-06-27 13:00 - 14:30
Presented by Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, Dr. Caroline Kisiel and in partnership with Artspace Southern Illinois.
Although Illinois entered the Union as a free state in 1818, residents had practiced slavery and indentured servitude since the 1700s, laying the foundation for the Illinois Black Codes, enforced from 1819 to 1865. These were severely restrictive laws that controlled nearly every aspect of life for enslaved people, indentured servants, and free Blacks for nearly 50 years.
Scholar Caroline Kisiel will trace the history and share stories of African Americans whose resilience helped change the course of Illinois history.

PNG at MCL Saturday Sessions: Art, Music, & Sound
2026-06-27 13:00 - 16:00
June 27th PNG at MCL Saturday Session: Post Production!
Combine your skills to create your own music video to tell a story!
Throughout June, learn the process of music production, along with creating your own video to accompany it!
Funding for Project Next Generation is provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
Ages 10-18

Builder's Club with Heartland LUG
2026-06-29 17:30 - 19:00
Build whatever you can imagine with our building blocks or join Heartland LUG in a fun building activity!
Use our building blocks to construct your masterpieces. Large Duplo Blocks will be available for younger children.

For ages 0-12.

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
