Clinton Public Library

10/09/2026

🕯️🍊 Storytime came to the classroom!

This week I visited our kindergarten classes for a storytelling session. I lit my (electric) storytelling candle, picked up my kalimba, and shared "The Magic Orange Tree," a folktale from Haiti.

The story is full of song, and the kids jumped right in, singing along and helping bring the tale to life. 🎶 It's so great hearing them sing along and learn new folktales from around the world.

Folktales are one of the oldest ways people have shared their cultures, values, and imaginations, and I love introducing young listeners to stories from all over the globe. 🌍

Thank you to the kindergarten teachers and the Clinton Community School District for welcoming me into your classrooms!

10/08/2026

📚🥚 Our kindergarten friends came to visit!

Recently, we hosted Clinton's kindergarteners for a field trip connected to their Nursery Rhymes and Fables unit. Before the visit, we put together a curated collection of nursery rhyme and fable books and delivered it to the school so the kids could browse and explore in their classrooms.

At the library, we told the folktale "Grandma and the Great Gourd" and talked with the kids about how it shares a lot in common with fables: clever characters, a little trickery, and a lesson to take away.

Then we asked a big question: was Humpty Dumpty always an egg? 🤔 The kids learned that the rhyme never actually says he is one, and that stories can change over time as they get passed along and retold.

To wrap things up, everyone made their own Humpty Dumpty craft, using their fingers as his legs! 😄

Thank you to the kindergarten teachers and the Clinton Community School District for bringing your classes to visit. We loved having you!

10/07/2026

🔥🚒 What a day for Fire Prevention Week!

Yesterday we welcomed the 5th graders from the Clinton Community School District as the final stop on a self-guided tour of the 1970 Clinton Fire, created by the Clinton Historical Society. Students walked through a piece of our community's history before arriving at the library to learn how to stay safe today.

Here at the library, the Clinton Fire Department gave a fire safety presentation, and we read a book about the Great Chicago Fire. Students headed home with handouts from both the Fire Department and the library, including a library activity sheet for mapping out a fire escape route for their own homes. 🏠➡️🚪

Families, ask your 5th grader to show you their escape plan, and take a few minutes to practice it together this week!

A big thank you to the Clinton Historical Society, the Clinton Community School District, and the Clinton Fire Department for working together with us to make this happen. It's a great example of what our community can do when we partner up. ❤️

09/07/2026

09/01/2026

🎉 Summer Reading Challenge prize winners have been drawn!

If you were selected as a winner, you’ll receive a phone call from the library by tomorrow, September 2.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge! 📚

07/31/2026

We had a wonderful time partnering again with Brooke Franseen, Community Engagement Director for the Clinton Community Activities Program, for our second Playground Playdate of the summer!

We sang parachute songs, used rhythm sticks to help Coyote sing his rain song, and somehow ended up making it rain in the park instead! We finished the morning by creating colorful tree crafts together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! Our final Playground Playdate of the summer will be held on the last Friday in August. We hope to see you there!

07/22/2026

We had a wonderful time Monday with our final Storywagon entertainer of the summer!

Native Hawaiian presenter Malia Chow brought Hawaiian culture to life through her Na Hale: Hands on Hawaii program. Families had the chance to see and learn about traditional Hawaiian dance implements, the blowing of the conch, ancient drums, ukulele music, sea turtle shells, and how to perform a Hawaiian dance.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special program. It was a beautiful, hands-on way to learn, listen, move, and experience Hawaiian culture together at the library!

07/21/2026

We received a large donation of legos from form staff member Matthew Prus’ family. Our Lego Club is excited!

07/16/2026

Lego Club took on a bridge-building challenge this month!

Our builders worked to create Lego bridges between two chairs, with each side meeting in the middle of the gap. Once the bridges were complete, we tested their strength to see how many books they could hold.

We had a great time building, experimenting, problem-solving, and seeing whose designs could stand up to the challenge!