Library Programs

Build A Stronger Community…Volunteer!

March 30, 2026
Build A Stronger Community…Volunteer!

Want to make a difference in your community?

Whether it's working with kids and families in need, offering a helping hand to a senior, or protecting the beauty of our local environment, don't miss AAPLD's Volunteer Fair on Saturday April 18 from 1:00- 3:00 pm at the Main Library on Harnish Drive.

Representatives from over a dozen organizations will be on hand to provide information about how you can be part of their mission to build a stronger community. Adults and teens are welcome! If you're new to the area, a student looking for summer volunteer hours, a retiree, or a parent looking for an activity to share with your teen, you won't want to miss this fun, and easy way to get connected.

Learn more about....

Alzheimer's Association of Illinois
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of McHenry County
Boy Scouts of America
Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
Friendly Visiting/Senior Services
Friends of Dundee Natural Areas
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
Habitat for Humanity
Kids in Need of McHenry County
Illinois Master Gardeners
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County
McHenry County Conservation District
McHenry County Animal Control and Rescue

Register here if you'd like a reminder about the event. Otherwise, just drop in. We'll offer refreshments, and gift basket raffle drawing. We'll see you there!

Meet March’s Artists of the Month

March 9, 2026
Meet March’s Artists of the Month

This month's exhibit on the Art Wall in the Adult Services Department at the Main Library features not just one artist, but many-- all members of the 1,000 Words Photography Club of the Algonquin Area Public Library District.

Each month, the club meets to share techniques, inspiration and their latest work, and photographers of all experience levels are welcome. Whether using a smartphone, digital or analog camera, or all of these, our members prove that great photography is about vision, creativity and community.

Most months, the club gathers at an off-site location for a photography field trip. Upcoming meet-ups are:

Sunday, April 19, 2:00 p.m.- Coroco Coffee Shop, 101 S. 1st Street, St. Charles, IL

Sunday, May 3, 1:00 p.m.- Anderson Japanese Garden, 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL

Sunday, June 7, 2:00 p.m.- Algonquin Area Public Library, 2600 Harnish Dr., Algonquin, IL. We will be planning upcoming photography field trips.

Sunday, July 12, 11:00 a.m.- The Farmer's Market at the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Rd, Crystal Lake, IL

Click each date to register. To learn more, contact Kelly Kuningas at kelly.kuningas@aapld.org

Get Planting! Seed Library Returns March 1!

February 26, 2026
Get Planting! Seed Library Returns March 1!

Just in time for spring planting, Algonquin Area Public Library, is excited to offer the Seed Library which provides seeds to local gardeners free of charge!

How It Works

Take a look at the Seed Library Catalog. Each listing includes photos and descriptions of plant varieties, along with helpful details on when, where, and how to plant them. Seed packet quantities range from 2 to 20 seeds, depending on the plant type.

Visit the Adult Services desk at the Main Library on Harnish Drive to explore our Seed Library collection in person, and take up to 20 packets/household, one per variety.

What Seeds Are Available?

garden fresh vegetables Carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, leeksChoose from over 130 varieties of vegetable, fruit, flower and herb seeds! Options include:

  • Vegetables - Cucumbers, lettuce, onions, squash, tomatoes
  • Herbs- Basil, chives, cilantro, parsley, thyme and more
  • Garden Favorites- Carrots, beans, leeks, melons and cauliflower
  • Flowers and Landscaping- Daisies, zinnias, sunflowers
  • Annuals & Perennials- Plants that bloom for a season, or return each year

 

Do I Have To Return The Seeds?

Although we call it a "Seed Library," no library card is required and you don't need to return seeds from your harvest. However, we'd love to see photos of your garden and crops! Email them to us at info@aapld.org

If you have leftover seeds, simply store them in their packets in an airtight glass jar, and keep it in a cool dark place like your basement or garage, for future planting.

Give A Hoot For Illinois Owls!

December 3, 2025
Give A Hoot For Illinois Owls!

Owls have long captured the human imagination with their silent flight, haunting calls, and piercing eyes. These mysterious birds of prey are not only mesmerizing, they're an essential part of Illinois' natural ecosystem.

Join us for Owls of Illinois, a special program for adults and seniors, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2:00-3:00 p.m., at the Eastgate Branch, located at 115 Eastgate Dr., Algonquin.  Presenter Alyse Cohen Burman, owner of The WildBird Shack, Ltd., has been following her passion for birds for nearly 45 years. Burman will share fascinating facts about the eight different owl species that call Illinois home, including their unique characteristics and behaviors.

As the founder of The Speakeasy, a speaker's bureau specializing in wildlife, conservation and environmental topics, Burman is well-known throughout the Chicagoland area for her engaging presentations to garden clubs, schools, nature centers, senior communities and more.

Registration is required, but open to all adults and seniors. We look forward to a captivating afternoon!

 

 

Meet November’s Artist of the Month

November 17, 2025
Meet November’s Artist of the Month

AAPLD welcomes award-winning landscape photographer Cory Anne Cosman to the Art Wall at the Main Library. Cory's work captures the essence of nature. She loves traveling to National Parks, and her adventures have taken her to the Badlands of South Dakota, the Rocky Mountains, Moab, Utah, Bryce Canyon, Haleakala, Waimea Canyon, and Death  Valley.

But much of her recent work focuses on the beauty of nature close to home. "I've spent much of my life exploring the beautiful properties of the McHenry County Conservation District, and the many parks across Illinois. This year, I'm excited to stay closer to home-- discovering new hidden gems throughout the Midwest to explore and share with my lens."

Her work has been exhibited at the Land Conservancy of McHenry County (2022 and 2023); the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake's Fourth Fridays Art Event (2024 and 2025), Woodstock Public Library Artist Showcase (2025), and Kishwaukee Brewing Co., Woodstock (2025).  In 2022, she was the 3rd place winner of the Land Conservancy's Amateur Photography Contest, and in 2024, she received the People's Choice Award from the Fourth Fridays Art Event at the Dole Mansion.

Follow her on Instagram @ccphotos2024

 

Scrabble-mania Comes to AAPLD!

November 10, 2025
Scrabble-mania Comes to AAPLD!

Know an awesome 8-letter word that contains the letters Q, Z and Y? You might have what it takes to be the Scrabble King or Queen of Algonquin!

Don't miss the fun Wednesday, November 19, when AAPLD hosts its first-ever Scrabble Tournament, from 6:30-8:-30 p.m. at the Main Library. Players will be randomly assigned to tables of 3 to 4 participants. For the first round, everyone plays a 45-minute game. The top four scorers will advance to the final round. The champion will receive a special custom-made medal, and a fun prize created in our Makerspace.

It's a sure to be a unquantized night of laughs, spelling and community. Register today!

AAPLD Hosts Terrifying Trio of Authors

October 20, 2025
AAPLD Hosts Terrifying Trio of Authors

 

AAPLD is delighted to welcome three talented area authors, who are so good, it's scary!  Don't miss this chance to hear them discuss their work, answer questions, and sign their books, available for purchase on- site.  Register for each event by clicking on the date.

Mary Kubica

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Kubica will be at Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College on Monday, October 27th at 7-8:00 p.m.  

The author of nine suspense novels that have sold over five million copies worldwide, Mary's books have been selected as Amazon Best Books of the Month, LibraryReads, and adapted for film, including The Good Girl, for Netflix. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller,” (Kirkus Reviews) and “a writer of vice-like control,” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (Los Angeles Times). Her next novel, It's Not Her, will be published in early 2026.

Copies of her books will be available for purchase and signing at the event courtesy of Read Between the Lynes bookstore of Woodstock. For Adults 18 and over. Registration is required.

This event is sponsored by Algonquin Area Public Library, Cary Area Public Library, Crystal Lake Public Library, Harvard-Diggins Library, Huntley Area Public Library, Johnsburg Library, Marengo-Union Library, McHenry Public Library, Nippersink Public Library and Woodstock Public Library.

Ursula Bielski

Chicago Haunts author, historian and parapsychologist Ursula Bielski comes to Eastgate on Wednesday, October 29 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. to discuss our local supernatural history, and her 30 years as a paranormal investigator.

The author of  twelve popular and critically-acclaimed books on history and the supernatural, including the groundbreaking Chicago Haunts series, and Graveyards of Chicago, Ursula has been featured on numerous TV shows, including the Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures. She also hosted The Hauntings of Chicago on WTTW. A lifelong Chicagoan, she and her husband operated the Chicago Hauntings Tours for two decades. She has taught college courses on folklore, history, and currently hosts The Ghostlorist podcast.

Abalabix Books of Crystal Lake will be on hand with copies of Ursula's books for purchase, that she can sign and personalize. This program is brought to you in partnership with the Cary, Crystal Lake and Huntley Area libraries.

Daniel Kraus

Critically acclaimed novelist Daniel Kraus, author of Whalefall, and co-author of The Shape of Water, comes to the Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College on Thursday, November 6, 7:00-8:00 p.m. He will be interviewed by Chicago Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens, and will discuss his immersive new novel, Angel Down.

We will also host a book discussion of Angel Down on Thursday, October 30th at 7p.m. at Cary Ale House.

Private Cyril Bagger has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of the Great War through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity. But his survival instincts are put to the ultimate test when he and four other grunts are given a deadly venture into the perilous No Man’s Land to euthanize a wounded comrade.What they find amid the ruined battlefield, however, is not a man in need of mercy but a fallen angel, seemingly struck down by artillery fire. This celestial being may hold the key to ending the brutal conflict, but only if the soldiers can suppress their individual desires and work together. 

Daniel collaborated with Guillermo del Toro on The Shape of Water, and Trollhunters, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. He has also worked with legendary filmmaker George A. Romero. Daniel's The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was named one of Entertainment Weekly‘s Top 10 Books of the Year.

Copies of his books will be available for purchase and signing at the event courtesy of Read Between the Lynes bookstore of Woodstock.

This event is part of the McHenry County Libraries - Let's All Read Together community reading program, sponsored by Algonquin Area Public Library, Cary Area Public Library, Crystal Lake Public Library, Harvard-Diggins Library, Huntley Area Public Library, Johnsburg Library, Marengo-Union Library, McHenry Public Library, Nippersink Public Library and Woodstock Public Library.

 

It’s Friday Night Out, at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake

October 13, 2025
It’s Friday Night Out, at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake

Join us for a Friday night out on October 24, from 6:00- 9:00 pm, at the historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake! Enjoy an evening of local art, live music and community, all in a vibrant, creative setting.

Crystal Lake's popular 4th Fridays art event, now in it's fifth season, features three exhibits; photography, art, a featured solo artist, plus live music on two stages. Roving servers offer snacks on trays, drinks are available for purchase at cashless bars. It's a great way to connect with local art lovers, and artists, all while supporting our area's thriving arts community.

This event is for adults, 18 and over.  Register, then pick up your tickets at the Adult Services desk at the Main Library.  We've covered the cost of the tickets, but transportation is on your own. The Dole Mansion is located at 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Limited availability, and lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Adult Spelling Bee Comes to Scorched Earth Brewing

October 6, 2025
Adult Spelling Bee Comes to Scorched Earth Brewing

I Before E, except after C.

Q and U always stick together.

Every syllable must have a written vowel.

Who will be crowned the AAPLD Spelling Bee Champ?

Join us for a fun night of friendly competition at our Adult Pub Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 pm, at Scorched Earth Brewing, 203 Berg Street, Algonquin!

The contestants are set and ready to spell their way to victory, now we need you in the audience to cheer them on. Enjoy snacks, great company, and fun as you root for your favorites and see who will take home the title of AAPLD Spelling Bee Champion.

Beverages will be available for purchase. Registration is now open for audience members only. For adults, 21 and over.

Questions? Contact Kelly Kuningas at kelly.kuningas@aapld.org

We’ll see you there for a bee-utiful night of fun!

Join Us for Books, Brews & BBQ!

September 12, 2025
Join Us for Books, Brews & BBQ!

Love books, tasty BBQ and local craft brews? Join us for an afternoon of fall fun, at Books, Brews & BBQ, Saturday, Sept. 27, at Crystal Lake Brewing, 150 N. Main St. in Crystal Lake, from 12-4pm.

A new addition to Downtown Crystal Lake's popular Johnny Appleseed Festival, and sponsored by the Algonquin Area, Cary, Crystal Lake and Huntley libraries, the event welcomes 10 Chicago-area writers;

Mingle with the authors and learn about their latest releases. Crystal Lake's Abalabix Books will have books available for sale and signing, (pick up a book for yourself, and maybe an early holiday gift or two!) The Midwest Smoke BBQ food truck will be serving up brats, sandwiches and more. Crystal Lake Brewing will offer favorite brews and seasonal specialties on tap.

No registration is needed, drop by anytime between noon and 4. We'll see you there!