Events

Summer Reading 2026 is officially over. A huge THANK YOU goes to our sponsors:

Fran's Cozy Kitchen

Funway

Honey Hill Orchard

Kane County Cougars

Kuiper's Family Farm

The Little Traveler

More Polish Pottery

Paisano's Pizza & Grill

Resource Bank

South Moon BBQ

Sycamore Family Sports Center

Chess Club is running at the new building! Join in on Wednesdays at 6pm. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Events below are held at the DeKalb Public Library: 309 Oak St in DeKalb. They are open to residents of other communities.

Try out these upcoming programs at the DeKalb Public Library, generously shared with the Hinckley community:

A Slice of History: Learn to Bake Traditional White Bread (DeKalb)

August 22, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Celebrate American history and learn to make our nation’s favorite bread!

Chef Cherise Slattery will explore the emergence of this baked good as an American staple and guide you through the recipe. Learn the twelve steps of yeast bread production, along with tips and tricks to make bread baking your new favorite hobby. Each person will be able to sample this delicious homemade white bread and leave with the recipe and methods to make it at home.

This event is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation throughout the year.

This program is first come, first served, and is limited to 40 participants. It is intended for ages 16 and up. No registration is required.

For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.

Heirlooms: Your Family History is American History (DeKalb)

August 31, 2026, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Every family has a story, and every heirloom holds a piece of history. Explore how photographs, letters, recipes, clothing, jewelry, and everyday objects can connect personal memories to larger moments in American history. This program is run by Carolyn Law of Carolyn Law Antiques, LLC.

Learn how family keepsakes preserve culture, stories, traditions, and community experiences across generations.

This program is free to attend and is intended for teens and adults. This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For more information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.

8 Countries in 1 Day (DeKalb)

September 19, 2026, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Are you ready to travel the world from the comfort of your own library? Prepare for takeoff at our annual “8 Countries in 1 Day” event when we take you on a journey around the globe!

Play Riču-Raču in Latvia, craft Muñecas Limé in the Dominican Republic, sample smoked salmon spread in Iceland, and much more! Other countries included will be Sweden, Vietnam, Ghana, and Ireland. This year we will also portray Colonial America as part of the America 250 initiative. Each country will have crafts, activities, and food.

Stop by the welcome table to get your “luggage” and passport before your adventure begins. Visit every country, get your passport stamped, and enter for a chance to win one of many prizes. Bring canned food items to get additional raffle tickets.

The library welcomes back the Northern Illinois University’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and International Student Affairs as partners.

Gather in the main lobby for big performances throughout the event!

11:30 a.m.: Nordland Band: Scandinavian Music from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland

1:00 p.m.: NIU Mariachi Ensemble

A big thank you to our many sponsors who make this event possible: Friends of the DeKalb Public Library, China House, Oak Crest, Northern Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Associates, Pizza Villa Inc, Suburban Apartments, Michaels, Ovation Performing Arts Studio, The Suter Company, Egg Haven Pancakes & Café, Off the Leash Coffee Company, Kishwaukee Kiwanis, and Create Health Mobility Clinic.

No registration is required to attend this free event. All are welcome!

For more information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

After-hours: Sarah McQuaid in Concert (DeKalb)

September 25, 2026, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

“One of the most instantly recognizable voices in current music.” —Trust The Doc

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality, “subtle mastery onstage” (Huffington Post) and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship, and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material, spanning genres and defying categorization.

All this is abundantly demonstrated by her new live album and video series The St. Buryan Sessions — but needs to be savored in person to be fully appreciated.

This concert is free and open to all. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required. This event is part of the after-hours concert series in partnership with the Friends of the Library and 94.9 WDKB.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.

Jimmy Keane: Irish Music and Irish Labor (DeKalb)

September 26, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Traditional Irish musician, Jimmy Keane, discusses his early life with his South Side ironworker family and his roots in the labor movement. He will also perform Irish music and songs associated with the labor movement!