The Hampshire village board announced this week that September will be celebrated in the Hampshire area as Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library Month.
According to the proclamation read by Hampshire Village President Jeffrey Magnussen: “The year 2016 marks the 80th year of consecutive library service to the Hampshire area, having begun as a Works Progress Administration project by the Wednesday Club in 1936.”
The library was once housed in a former hat shop donated by Bertha Farrell Watts in memory of her sister, Ella Johnson. The library later moved to its current address at 109 South State Street in Hampshire.
According to library district officials, the district serves residents in an over 100 square mile area including Hampshire, Burlington, Rutland and Plato townships.
Library of America recently announced Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library as one of 55 libraries and other institutions in 25 states, plus the District of Columbia, that won funding for public programs related to a two-year, nationwide initiative timed to coincide with the upcoming 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I in April 1917.
“World War I and America” is presented by Library of America with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and project support from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
According to Library of America, a total of $76,800 was awarded in the initiative’s first round. Winners will receive stipends of either $1,200 or $1,800 for public programs centered on a set of seven humanities themes associated with “World War I and America.” Recognized humanities scholars and members of the veteran community will participate in all programs, which will be free and open to the public.
A second round of applications will be evaluated in January. The deadline for applying is Jan. 13.
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The four Round One grantees from Illinois were: Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library District; Kishwaukee College, Malta; Orland Park Public Library, and Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook.
Upcoming events at the library in Hampshire this month include: Family Movie Night, “The Jungle Book,” on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.; Johnny Appleseed Night, Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. with apple stories, crafts and apple treats; Cheese 101, Saturday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., with the history of cheese-making and cheese samples; Reading to Rover every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.; Reading is Sweet, Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m., with face-painting, crafts and mini pie snacks; Mad Scientists, ages 9 to 12, Monday, Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m., and Adult Craft Workshop, Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. All programs are free, while some programs require registration.
The Harp Twins, Camille and Kennerly Kitt, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, as part of the Ella Johnson Library’s Living Room Concert Series.
For more information, call 847-683-4490; www.ellajohnsonlibrary.org.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.