LaSalle Public Library Program Portal

On January 13th, at 6pm, resume the epic quest full of magic and monsters, led by Dungeon Master Andrew Paden. The party has come face to face with a dragon. Can they band together to defeat the beast?

If you've ever been curious about the game, this is the perfect opportunity to get started! The game is free to join, and materials and snacks will be provided! 

On January 14th, at 6pm, join us for a viewing of 1922's Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror. Before the viewing, there will be a short presentation about the origin of the character, the conflict it created with the Stoker estate, and the film's lasting impact. 

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The film is not rated, but contains frightening images that may not be suitable for younger viewers. The film runs for 81 minutes.

January 17th, from 3-5pm, the meeting room will be transformed into a lounge for teens, equipped with refreshments and activities, including brand new Nintendo Switches!

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This program is designed for teens 13 and up. Attendees must be picked up by 5pm. No registration necessary.

January 23rd, at 6:30pm, the Library Board of Trustees will be meeting to discuss library operations. Meetings are open to the public to attend.​

At 7pm on January 23rd, join comedian, actress, and producer Michelle Buteau in conversation with Greta Johnsen. Michelle is the creator/writer/star of the Netflix series Survival of the Thickest, inspired by her autobiographical book of essays of the same name. She is also the host of two popular reality competition shows - The Circle and Barbecue Showdown, and hosts the popular podcast, Adulting. In 2024, she starred in Babes alongside fellow comedian/actress Ilana Glazer.

Born in New Jersey to Caribbean parents, Michelle brings her unique perspective and big personality to stage and screen. Her one-hour comedy special, Welcome to Buteaupia, won the Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special. Her new special, A Buteau-ful Mind, drops on Netflix December 31.

Greta Johnsen is an interviewer, podcast host, and book person. She is loved as co-host of HBO's Official Game of Thrones Podcast and hosted WBEZ's Nerdette podcast for eleven years. She can also be heard on podcasts like Pop Culture Happy Hour and City Cast. 

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To register for this event, click the image above!

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This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com​

At 4pm on January 28th, playwright and composer Cameron Dingerson joins the LaSalle Public Library in discussing his brand new musical The Thirteenth Olympian, and the 7 year journey of bringing it to life.

Cameron is a Spring Valley native who graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School in 2018. He then went on to study History Education at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

The Thirteenth Olympian is an original musical that blends Greek Mythology with a heartfelt coming-of-age narrative. Narrated by Calliope, the Muse of Storytelling, this show explores the timeless themes of storytelling and selflessness. It follows Titonius, a fictional son of gods, on his quest to become the thirteenth Olympian, revealing along the way that stories are never just for themselves--they spark journeys for others. 

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This event will be held over Zoom. A recording of this event will be made available on the library's YouTube page at a later date.

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To register for this virtual event, click the image above!​​

January 25th, at 10:30am, Jane Porter and her father will be visiting, fresh off of their jungle expedition, to read some stories about the jungle and the man they found there who had been raised by apes. 

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This story time is geared for younger children and presented in cooperation with Stage 212's upcoming production of Tarzan: The Musical. No registration necessary!

On February 3rd, at 6pm, resume your journey to battle the forces of evil in this brand new, combat focused, DND campaign, led by Dungeon Master Andrew Paden. 

If you've ever been curious about the game, this is the perfect opportunity to get started! The game is free to join, and materials and snacks will be provided! 

At 7pm on February 4th, Illinois Libraries Present James McBride, an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter. His landmark memoir, The Color of Water, was published in 1996 and is considered an American classic, read in schools and universities across the United States. His 2013 novel, The Good Lord Bird, won the National Book Award for Fiction and was adapted by Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum into a Showtime series bearing the same name. His latest, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was named one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2023.

In 2016, President Obama awarded McBride the National Humanities Medal "for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America. Through writings about his own uniquely American story, and his works of fiction informed by our shared history, his moving stories of love display the character of the American family." In 2024 he became the latest recipient of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. A native New Yorker, McBride is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.

Heather Marie-Montlilla of PBS Books will join McBride in conversation.

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To register for this event, click the image above!

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This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com​

On February 11th, at 6pm, join director Craig Dudnick in a screening of his documentary Alice's Ordinary People. 

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Alice's Ordinary People tells the story of Alice Tregay, an unsung heroine of the civil rights movement, and the Chicago Freedom Movement. Her remarkable story spans the historic marches of Dr. King through the election of Barack Obama, and her great contribution in the field of politics is the thread which connects the two.

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This program will consist of a 15 minute overview of the Civil Rights Movement and Alice's role within, followed by a screening of the documentary. The program will conclude with a Q&A with the director. 

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The film runs for 56 minutes. The entire program will run for about 90 minutes, depending on the duration of the Q&A. 

This event is free and open to the public. No registration necessary.

On February 13th, at 6pm, bring your partner to the LaSalle Public Library for a romantic evening of painting one another!

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This event is free and open to the public and couples of all types, although space is limited, so registration is necessary. All materials will be provided, although you are welcome to bring your own painting supplies. 

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To reserve your spot for this event, click the image above!

At 7pm on February 19th, National Humanities Medal winner and bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan joins us to share on her body of work and reflect on the wonder of slowing down and savoring the quiet moments. Her connection to nature is captured in her latest, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, a collection of sketches and essays which debuted at #1 on both the New York Times and the Indie bestseller list.

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Born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from China, Tan’s first bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club, offered a look at the immigration experience from the perspective of mothers and daughters. Other New York Times best-sellers followed, including The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement. Tan is also the author of two children’s books, a memoir, and other works. In keeping with her love of science and childhood love of doodling, she recently took up nature journal sketching. When she found herself overwhelmed by our increasingly divisive culture, she turned to nature and the world of bird life outside her own window.

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To register for this event, click the image above!

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This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com​