Kal Penn

True Crime with Dr. Amanda Vicary 

Eureka Public Library, 202 S. Main St., is thrilled to be hosting Dr. Amanda Vicary from Illinois Wesleyan University to discuss her research on true crime and why people are so fascinated by the subject. Join us for this enthralling program at 6 p.m Tuesday, April 30. This is a free program and registration is required. Sign up at the adult circulation desk or by calling the library at 309-467-2922, Ext. 1. Find more info on the library website eurekapl.org.

Makerspace May is back and other children’s programs on pause Makerspace May is back at Eureka Public Library for 2024. It’s a month of creative possibilities for kids of all ages! Miss Angela will have LEGO tables, art supplies, and more set up, so stop by and get creative! 

All other children’s programs at Eureka Public Library will be placed on pause for the entire month of May. This includes Fun Friday Storytime, Storytime at the Library, Toddler Time, Toddler Play Time, and Second Saturday LEGO Pop-Up. The children’s library is taking a program vacation to get ready for the 2024 Summer Reading Program. 

For more information, call the library at 309-467-2922 or visit the library’s website eurekapl.org. 

Program features ‘The Many Lives of Kal Penn’ 

Eureka Public Library joins more than 200 Illinois libraries to continue Season 3 of Illinois Libraries Present, a collaborative effort featuring virtual events with bestselling and award-winning authors and esteemed speakers. The season will culminate with “The Many Lives of Kal Penn”, which takes place via Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. Register at bit.ly/ILP_KalPenn or find more information on the library website eurekapl.org. The library will also be hosting a watch party in the Program Room. No registration is required for the watch party. 

Penn will be joined in conversation by Bridget Petrites, Evanston Public Library, who will facilitate a unique and fun game-show style experience featuring the myriad accomplishments of Penn’s life and previously submitted audience questions. Questions can be submitted when registering. 

Kal Penn is an actor, writer, producer, and former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. He is known for his starring roles in Designated Survivor, House, Mira Nair’s The Namesake, the Harold & Kumar franchise, and the Christmas comedy The Santa Clauses for Disney+. 

“Earlier this year, Penn wrapped production on the Bloomberg Green climate change docuseries, Getting Warmer with Kal Penn, and the Viacom/Paramount+ comedy, Surina & Mel. Following the departure of Trevor Noah from The Daily Show, Kal was named a guest host.  

His first book “You Can’t Be Serious” was released in November 2021 and he narrates the audiobook. 

Our final event for Season 3 of Illinois Libraries Present will be the rescheduled event “The Hidden Gifts of Visual Thinkers” with Dr. Temple Grandin. Dr. Grandin has been at the forefront of research and activism for autism and neurodiversity for decades. She has written many books on those subjects, with a specific focus on visual thinking. 

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, visit eurekapl.org. 

Illinois Libraries Present 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. Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility. 

 Friends of the Eureka Public Library Quarter Auction 

A quarter auction will be held to support the Friends of the Eureka Public Library District on Tuesday, May 7, at the Barn III. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and bidding will begin at 6 p.m. Admission fee is $3, which includes a seat at a table and one paddle for bidding. Additional paddles are $2 each. Participants may want to bring $10-$40 in quarters to bid on items. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase. All proceeds will be donated to the Friends of the Eureka Public Library District. If you would like to donate an auction item, contact the library at 309-467-2922, Ext. 1.