Decatur Public Library-Illinois

Teen Craft Club: DIY Fantasy Book Nook
Thursday, November 5, 5:30pm–7:30pm
Registration Required: https://www.decaturlibrary.org/event/teen-craft-club-1994

Fall ACT Prep!
Want to feel a little more prepared!
Register here:
https://www.decaturlibrary.org/event/fall-act-prep-10033

Our Halloween Story Time and Trick-or-Treating at the library was a treat! Many thanks to the Friends of the Decatur Public Library for sponsoring this exciting event. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

DPL Code Club: Make Your Own Platformer
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Build your own videogame while learning the basic principles of coding and computer science using Fiero Code.
Register here:
https://www.decaturlibrary.org/events/list?keywords=code%20club

Explore how Black composers like Scott Joplin, W.C. Handy, and Ernest Hogan shaped ragtime, blues, and jazz while navigating racism in entertainment. St. Louis duo Cherry & Jerry bring America’s first pop music to life. Fun for all ages!

Wednesday, November 4
6:00pm to 7:00pm

https://www.decaturlibrary.org/event/cherry-jerry-present-african-american-composers-7864

The Queen of Halloween, Jeanette Schminski, and her attendants Maxine Miller and Pauline Ritchie ride their float in the Halloween Parade 1936. She would be crowned by the Mayor at the Transfer House at the end of parade. Lovely ladies! Decatur, be safe tomorrow and have a fun, spooky Halloween 👻

Join us for Chess Club Monday, November 2 at 6pm! A fun, beginner-friendly club for chess players of all skills levels.
For ages 10 and up!
https://www.decaturlibrary.org/events/list?keywords=Chess&age_groups%5B5%5D=5

Wednesday we had a great time with students from St. Patrick School! Join us today, Thursday, October 29, for Halloween Story Time at 10 am followed by Trick-or-Treating the Library! Many thanks to the Friends of the Decatur Public Library for sponsoring this event!

How Money Became God: Rethinking Wealth and Greed in Modern Society with Paul Vigna
Online Author Event
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
1:00pm–2:00pm
Learn more, register, and submit questions to the author here:
https://www.decaturlibrary.org/event/how-money-became-god-rethinking-wealth-and-greed-modern-society-paul-vigna-9475

R.R Montgomery invented the fly swatter in 1900. By 1907, he sold his business to the United States Wire Mat Co., shown in the pics. The first sat at 260 E. Wood. Picture taken in 1907. They eventually changed their name to U.S. Mfg. Co in 1921. The second pic from 1917 shows their location as 60 Industry Ct. By 1954 they moved all operations to Kansas City, Mo. Fun Fact-In 1942, they made 75% of the world's fly swatters!