Bradley Public Library Events

Our walking club is perfect for those wanting to get moving while socializing! Now that the weather is warmer, we'll walk the paved trails at Perry Farm Park. Please meet us in the parking lot beside the Exploration Station (1095 Perry St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914).

All Ages

Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Round up the family and join us for a Reel Fun Wednesday Family Movie! (No registration required)
Popcorn will be provided.  Bring a water bottle!

What will we watch?

Dog Man
When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured together on the job, a harebrained surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born! As he embraces his new identity and strives to impress his Chief, Dog Man must stop the villainous Petey the Cat from cloning himself and creating an evil kitten, doubling his evil abilities.

Movie Rating: PG (The film may contain some content that parents may not want their children to see, or at least not see alone.)
Film Runtime: 89 minutes

Level up your creativity with us this summer by learning to paint en plein air!

• En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air," and refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view.

Local artist (and BPL staff member!) Christina Loraine will show you how to capture the essence of nature in acrylic paint at scenic Willowhaven Park! All materials will be provided.

Ages: adults & high school students
Advance registration is required.

Willowhaven Park is located just outside Bradley at 1451 N 4000 E Rd, Kankakee, IL.

• Park in the lot near the barn-like building and follow the paved path around the left side of the building to the pavilion.
• We will sit at picnic tables.

In case of inclement weather:

• We will still meet if it is lightly raining, as the pavilion offers plenty of coverage.
• If there are strong storms in the area, we will cancel. Please watch our social media pages for updates, or feel free to call the library to check with us.

THURSDAY SESSION

AGES: 9 - 13

Ever dreamed of creating your own video game? Now’s your chance! Join our exciting program where you will use Bloxels, a hands-on platform that lets you design, build, and play your very own arcade-style game. No coding required! Get ready to level up your creativity and become a game maker!

There will be no sessions the week of June 30th - July 4th

Grades: K*-5th
*must have completed Kindergarten

Please register separately for each week

Get ready for a summer of epic adventures where games come to life! This program is your quest to explore everything fun, from creating game-inspired masterpieces in art and tackling awesome engineering challenges, to simply diving into a world of exciting games together. Whether you love video games, board games, or getting active, there’s something for everyone!

There will be no classes the week of June 30th - July 4th

Level up your Meals is an interactive session with Janet Moody, a Community Outreach Worker with the University of Illinois Extension. This 1.5 hour class is all about shopping skills to help you save money when shopping for food. We will talk about the science of store layouts, how they encourage us to spend more money than intended, how to find lower cost items, and analyze the pros and cons of using coupons. There will also be a recipe demonstration and taste test. Please join us for a fun, informative lesson!

Ages 18 and up
Please register in advance Sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

K-12th

Calling all Pokémon trainers! Get ready to battle, trade, and connect at our special Pokémon Pop-Up event! This is the perfect chance for kids of all ages to share their love for Pokémon.

No registration required, just drop in between 1pm - 2:30pm to join the fun! What to Expect:
Bring Your Own Cards: Kids are encouraged to bring their Pokémon card collections (and any other Pokémon-related items they'd like to share or trade!).Meet & Trade: Make new friends and expand your collection through card trading.Play the Game:Learn to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game or find new opponents for a friendly match.Pokémon Activities: Enjoy simple, drop-in activities like coloring sheets and bookmarks when you need a break from trading and battling.

 

Learn about the origins and structure of the Federal Reserve System, as well as the instruments of monetary policy and their potential impact on inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Paul Koch from Olivet Nazarene University's School of Business will be our guest speaker.

Ages 18 and up.
Advance registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome.
 

TUESDAY SESSION

AGES: 6 - 8

Get ready to craft, create, and game your way through summer! Each week, we’ll dive into exciting STEAM challenges and hands-on crafts, all with a fun gaming twist! Discover the science and art behind your favorite ways to play!

There will be no sessions the week of June 30th - July 4th

Level-Up Playtime: Old School Game Quest is an interactive playtime for children ages 3-5 and their grown-up(s). Join us for a story and playtime where the children will participate in “old school” recess style games. Join us as we make new friends and have fun!


Please note:  There will be no sessions the week of June 30th - July 4th.
 

Find answers to your smartphone or computer questions in a one-on-one, 30-minute tutoring session!
Advanced registration is required. To sign up, visit the circulation desk or call us at 815-932-6245. Ages 18 and up.

TUESDAY SESSION

AGES: 9 - 13

Ever dreamed of creating your own video game? Now’s your chance! Join our exciting program where you will use Bloxels, a hands-on platform that lets you design, build, and play your very own arcade-style game. No coding required! Get ready to level up your creativity and become a game maker!

There will be no sessions the week of June 30th - July 4th

We are a community of writers who love to write and share our work! Each meeting includes time to work on short writing prompts, which we use to spark our creativity and produce unique pieces of writing! We also share opportunities for publication. 

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, we welcome you to join our creative writing group. We hope to inspire and support each other as we explore the limitless possibilities of the written word.

Feel free to bring something you're working on if you'd like to share it with the group and receive feedback!  

Ages 18 and up.
No registration is required.

Enjoy a variety of books with a great group of readers! New members are always welcome.
This month, we're reading Swift River by Essie Chambers

No registration is required. Ages 18 and up.

Meet us under the pavilion at Willowhaven Park & discover the joy of watercolors! Beginners are encouraged to attend and will learn the basics of landscape painting in a supportive environment. Local artist (and BPL staff member!) Christina Loraine will be your instructor. Choose a session that works for you, or attend them all!

Ages: adults & high school students
No registration required!
All materials will be provided.

Willowhaven Park is located just outside Bradley at 1451 N 4000 E Rd, Kankakee, IL.

• Park in the lot near the barn-like building and follow the paved path around the left side of the building to the pavilion.
• We will sit at picnic tables.

In case of inclement weather:

• We will still meet if it is lightly raining, as the pavilion offers plenty of coverage.
• If there are strong storms in the area, we will cancel. Please watch our social media pages for updates, or feel free to call the library to check with us.

Board meetings are generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM at the Library and are open to the public.

Drop in and talk books with us! We share book recommendations and talk about our favorite fictional characters. New members are always welcome! Please meet us at Hoppy Pig at 135 N. Kinzie Ave, Bradley, IL
No registration is required.
Ages 21 and up.

Coloring isn’t just for kids! Drop in and relax with us! All materials are provided. No registration is required. Ages 18 and up

THURSDAY SESSION

AGES: 9 - 13

Ever dreamed of creating your own video game? Now’s your chance! Join our exciting program where you will use Bloxels, a hands-on platform that lets you design, build, and play your very own arcade-style game. No coding required! Get ready to level up your creativity and become a game maker!

There will be no sessions the week of June 30th - July 4th

Drive through & pick up free groceries for households with kids 18 or under. No registration, ID, documentation, or residency requirements are needed. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Sponsored by Northern Illinois Food Bank.