Events
Story Time: Ages 0-8+ and their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, crafts, and more on Monday mornings at 10:15. Please contact the library to register.
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Make a Mess: A new sensory art program for ages 1-5 with a caregiver. No registration is needed. Clothes may get messy. Tuesdays, September 2 through October 28, 10:15-10:45am.
Chess Club: All ages and skill levels are welcome at the weekly chess club meetings on Wednesdays 6-7:30pm above the library.
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Lego Club: Meet up with your friends after school for fun challenges and free building. No registration. Fridays 4:30-5:30pm starting September 12. All ages welcome, but anyone under 8 must bring an adult.
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Kid Book Club: Grades K-5+ are invited to pick up a copy of this month's book at the library then join in a discussion while eating free snacks. Monday, October 20th at 4pm. Books available now.
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Adult Book Club: This fun group meets at 7pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Pick up a copy of this month's book selection at the library and join in the discussion.
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Lunch & Learn Career Workshops: Upgrade your job search with a series of virtual programs designed to help you find and land your next career. These will be live, interactive workshops presented on Zoom. You are welcome to watch from home, but lunch will be provided if you choose to watch at the library. Registration is required for each workshop.
Each workshop will be on a Thursday from Noon to 1pm:
Registration closed for September 4: Searching for a job is very stressful and can lead to many questions, but nobody is there to answer them. In this workshop we will have a conversation about all aspects of job searching and discuss questions you may have in an interactive environment.
Register for September 11: Effective communication skills are so important for success in your job or at anything in life. Learn some ways to improve your communication skills.
Register for September 18: In this workshop you will learn how to write a resume, gather resume tips, and explore different types of resumes.
Register for September 25: In this interactive role-playing workshop, you will learn how to prepare for an in-person interview and a telephone interview. You will be asked the 15 most important interview questions, and learn how to answer them.
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Finding the Clues: Then and Now with Steve Burns
Virtual program presented on Zoom: Tuesday, September 16th at 7pm
Register for Finding the Clues
Join Illinois Libraries Present for a nostalgic and intimate hour-long conversation with Emmy-nominated actor Steve Burns, best known as ‘Steve’ from the beloved Nickelodeon show Blue’s Clues.
Beyond the iconic blue paw print and memorable striped green shirt, Burns has built a unique career in entertainment, encompassing acting, directing, music, and, new this fall, a podcast which “listens back” - Alive with Steve Burns.
This special interview offers a closer look at Burns' journey, from the early fame of Blue’s Clues to his personal growth and creative evolution. Arionne Nettles, a Chicago based storyteller and cultural reporter, will join Steve in conversation.
This event is intended for adults.
This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Closed Captioning are provided for all events by default—no special request needed.
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Hinckley Hub Event Calendar for All Things Hinckley
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Try out these upcoming programs at the DeKalb Public Library, generously shared with the Hinckley community:
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8 Countries in 1 Day
September 13, 2025, 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!
Attend a Masquerade Ball in Italy, play Dinifri in Morocco, gobble down pineapple cake in Taiwan, and much more! Other countries included will be South Korea, Montenegro, Armenia, Myanmar, and India. 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.
Off the Leash Coffee Company will provide samples of coffees and chocolates from around the world at their kiosk in the lower level.
Gather in the main lobby for big performances throughout the day!
11:00 a.m.: Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance
12:00 p.m.: Indian Classical Dance
A big thanks goes out to our many sponsors who make this event possible: Friends of the DeKalb Public Library, Egg Haven, WNIJ, Banner Up, The Suter Company, Off the Leash Coffee Company, Kishwaukee-DeKalb Kiwanis Club, Old National Bank, Nestle Distribution Company, Integrated Store Systems, Inc., and China House.
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.
Afternoon Concert with Chris Prola
September 27, 2025, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Enjoy modern variations on classical composers as pianist Chris Prola plays pieces by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Paganini, and more! To help transport us to a more classical time, Chris will perform dressed in traditional 18th century attire.
This free performance requires no registration, and all ages are welcome.
For additional information, please contact Chelsea at chelsear@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 1700.
A Performance of Music from the Middle East
October 11, 2025, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
We are delighted to host an evening of cultural songs, both traditional and new compositions, after-hours in the library’s main lobby!
Aboud Agha was born in Syria and immigrated to Boston, Mass at the age of twelve. He is an accomplished performer and composer of Arabic and Middle Eastern music. Aboud is a master of the Oud (Middle Eastern lute) and of many vocal styles from this part of the world. He has a master’s degree in musical performance from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in ethnomusicology from UCLA in California. He now teaches at the American University in Dubai.
Aboud has performed his music solo, in ensembles and with orchestras in America, Europe and the Middle East. He returns to visit the Midwest this summer after a concert at the library of congress in Washington D.C. Click here to see Aboud’s many Instagram posts.
Aboud will be accompanied on percussion by DeKalb native Sven Oscar Hansen. Sven was born to Norwegian immigrants in the American Midwest, where he raised four children and owned a greenhouse and florist shop. Sven has lived and studied in Norway and India and is a certified yoga teacher and sound healer. He creates and performs events incorporating music, poems, and sound healing. Sven has studied Vedic science and holds a degree in world literature from Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. He lives in DeKalb, Illinois.
The evening also includes a brief discussion of this ethnic music and their interpretation of it. There will be an opportunity after the show to meet and chat with the artists.
This concert is free and open to all. Doors will open at 6:00 and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.
After-hours Concert: Mariachi Ensemble
October 18, 2025, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
NIU Mariachi is part of the World Music Ensembles at the NIU School of Music. The ensemble was founded during the1970's with its first official concert in 1975 with Dr. Kuo-Huang Han as the first director of the program and Dr. Jui-Ching Wang from 2004. Last Spring of 2025, the NIU World Music Program celebrated its 50th year anniversary.
NIU Mariachi started as a student club under the guidance of the then trumpet Professor Christopher Scanlon and students Jair Nuñez and Axel Solorzano. On Fall 2024 they welcomed Mr. Antonio "Tony" Ozuna as the new musical director. Members are full-time students at the School of Music and from other schools. NIU Mariachi specializes in traditional and contemporary repertoire on the Mariachi tradition.
This concert is free and open to all. Doors will open at 6:00 and music will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.
After-Hours: Samhein, the Celtic Roots of Halloween
October 24, 2025, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Samhein (pronounced Sow-wehn) is the ancient Gaelic name for a time between times, a time at the end of Harvest when the veil between the world of men and the other-world of spirits becomes thin and those spirits walk the earth. From ancient times until today, we have celebrated this mysterious and beautiful time of year. We call it Halloween or All Hallows Eve.
Join Award-Winning singer/songwriter Barry Cloyd for an after-hours performance as we step back into ancient Celtic times to revisit and bring to life the tales and songs of this haunting October celebration. It's a Spooky good time.
This event is free and open to all. No registration is required.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the performance will begin at 6:30 p.m.
For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.