Bloomington Public Library, Illinois

Call Directions Website

Bloomington Public Library, Illinois Location:
205 E. Olive St. Bloomington, IL, 61701

Phone:
309.828.6091

Hours:
Mon - Thurs:
9:00 am -

Bloomington Public Library, Illinois, has been offering quality services, programs, and resources for more than 150 year...
10/15/2026

Bloomington Public Library, Illinois, has been offering quality services, programs, and resources for more than 150 years!

Featured in this photo from December 2013 are members of the ISU Solar Car Team as they help teens/tweens build mini solar cars from kits using a piece of balsa wood, about 3 inches by 6 inches, as the base. The solar-car-building workshop, hosted by Bloomington Public Library, was offered courtesy of a state-funded Project Next Generation grant.

Prior to assembling the mini cars, members of the Solar Car Team gave a presentation in which they described how the full-size ISU car was built from the ground up by students. They also shared information about the work that goes into racing the ISU car.

Teen Genre Book Club --- Saturday, November 14 --- 11am; Conference Room The Teen Genre Book Club will meet monthly -- o...
10/14/2026

Teen Genre Book Club
--- Saturday, November 14
--- 11am; Conference Room
The Teen Genre Book Club will meet monthly -- on various Saturdays -- to discuss a different genre of book, giving you more choice of what to read. Pick any book that fits the month's genre. If you'd like suggestions, inquire at the Help Desk or in TeenZone.

The remaining monthly genres for 2026 are as follows:
--- November 14: Science Fiction
--- December 12: Short Story Collections

Registration is suggested and can be completed online at bit.ly/bplbookclubs, by calling 309.590.6168, or by visiting the Help Desk at the Library and registering in person.

Questions about this book club can be emailed to Cora at [email protected].

So much was accomplished over the weekend at the library's Fall Quilt-In Retreat! In addition to quilters, we were joine...
10/14/2026

So much was accomplished over the weekend at the library's Fall Quilt-In Retreat! In addition to quilters, we were joined by a crocheter, all of whom enjoyed uninterrupted quilting/crocheting time free from distraction.

An ironing station and a cutting station were provided. The crafters brought their own sewing machines, project, and tools

Halloween Parade & Story Time--- Friday, October 30--- 10am-noon; starts in the Children's Department and parades to Com...
10/13/2026

Halloween Parade & Story Time
--- Friday, October 30
--- 10am-noon; starts in the Children's Department and parades to Community Rooms 2-3
Kids of all ages are invited to come to Bloomington Library in costume and join our annual Halloween Parade and Story Time.

The parade will begin at 10am in the Children’s Department and will end with a special Halloween Story Time in Community Rooms 2-3. After story time and until 12pm, we’ll offer crafts for kids to make in the Children’s Department.

Questions about this program can be emailed to Mr, Jesse at [email protected].

Creative Playtime--- Mondays at both 10am and 6pm--- September 28; October 26; November 23--- Children's Program Rooms 1...
10/13/2026

Creative Playtime
--- Mondays at both 10am and 6pm
--- September 28; October 26; November 23
--- Children's Program Rooms 1-2
Creativity starts with play! Join us for a fun-filled, art-and-play experience where children are encouraged to create, discover, and express themselves through open-ended activities designed to spark creativity.

This drop-in program is intended for children ages 0-11 years and their caregivers, but all are welcome to attend. There is no registration.

Questions about this program can be emailed to Ms. Alysha and Ms. Lisa at [email protected].

LOOKING FOR A SCARY READ?Haunted houses, creepy woods, and scary basements … the books featured in our Horror eNewslette...
10/12/2026

LOOKING FOR A SCARY READ?
Haunted houses, creepy woods, and scary basements … the books featured in our Horror eNewsletter are sure to send chills down your spine. Check them out at bit.ly/bplhorror.

Receive genre-specific reading recommendations to your inbox by subscribing at bit.ly/bplreadingrecs!

Anxiety Reduction Using Meditation--- Monday, November 2--- 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom--- Registration requiredThrough meditati...
10/12/2026

Anxiety Reduction Using Meditation
--- Monday, November 2
--- 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom
--- Registration required
Through meditation, we can calm the body and the mind. And once we connect to a place of happiness and peace within us, we experience a reduction in our anxiety.
Join longtime meditator Zelma Pierce Chamberlain, M.Ed., who will share practical steps to learning how to meditate and provide an opportunity for participants to try it on their own.

Registration is required for this virtual program and can be completed online at bit.ly/anxiety1102.

Questions about this program can be emailed to Mimi at [email protected].

Teen Halloween Fun Night --- Thursday, October 29--- 5:30-8pm; Community Room 3 Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join...
10/12/2026

Teen Halloween Fun Night
--- Thursday, October 29
--- 5:30-8pm; Community Room 3
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for a laid-back evening of Halloween fun. Bring your friends and enjoy a showing of Hocus Pocus (PG, 1 hour, 35 minutes), crafts, activities, and snacks.

Questions about this program can be emailed to Cora or Tiffany at [email protected].

"Hanging With Our Friends" Art Exhibit Opening Reception--- Wednesday, October 21--- 6:30-8pm; Community Room 3Celebrate...
10/11/2026

"Hanging With Our Friends" Art Exhibit Opening Reception
--- Wednesday, October 21
--- 6:30-8pm; Community Room 3
Celebrate the opening of the art exhibit Hanging With Our Friends at this meet-and-greet reception featuring celebrated painters Jan Brandt and Danell Dvorak. Brandt and Dvorak curated this exhibit with other Illinois artists to round out this group show that illustrates the friendships found in our local art scene. Light refreshments will be served.

This exhibit will remain on display from October 19-November 30, 2026, near the Community Rooms on Bloomington library’s second floor.

Artists with works included in the exhibit include:
--- Ivonne Bess
--- Jan Brandt
--- Monica J. Brown
--- Danell Dvorak
--- Monica Estabrook
--- Joann Goetzinger
--- Amy Hanks
--- Natalie Jackson
--- Sheila Lamberson
--- Lisa Lofgren
--- Amy Wolfe

Questions about this program can be emailed to Mimi at [email protected].

Mystery Book Club--- Tuesday, November 10--- 7pm; Conference Room and Online via ZoomThe Mystery Book Club will meet to ...
10/10/2026

Mystery Book Club
--- Tuesday, November 10
--- 7pm; Conference Room and Online via Zoom
The Mystery Book Club will meet to discuss “Twice the Trouble” by Ash Clifton. Participants have the option to meet either in person at Bloomington Public Library or online via Zoom.

Contact the library's Help Desk at 309.590.6168 or [email protected] to check out or reserve a print copy of the book. Digital copies of this book (eBook or eAudiobook) may be available using the Libby or Hoopla apps.

Registration is ONLY REQUIRED for online participants and can be completed online at bit.ly/bplbookclubs, in person at the Help Desk, or by calling 309.590.6168.

The Mystery Book Club will meet on the second Tuesday of each month from January to November.

Questions about this book club can be emailed to Marcie at [email protected].

Address

205 E Olive Street
Bloomington, IL
61701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+13098286091

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bloomington Public Library, Illinois posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category