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Library Programs, Events, & Exhibits in May 2026 Hedberg Public Library will offer a variety of free programs all month long. Visit the online calendar at HedbergPublicLibrary.org for the most up-to-date details or follow the library’s Facebook page. HPL is hosting a new Audiobook Walking Club, These Books are Made for Walkin’. On select Fridays from May-August, participants can meet at the designated location at 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. Enjoy a walk while listening to your own audiobook, then enjoy time socializing and sharing with library staff and other participants. The first walk is scheduled for Friday, May 1, meeting at Angler’s Park, with HPL Express as a backup in case of inclement weather. See our calendar for all dates and locations. A Sporting Goods Exchange will be held at the library on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, from 1-7 p.m. Donation of slightly used (but still useful!) sports equipment can be dropped off at the library’s main service desk beginning May 1-21. Everyone is invited to “shop” for new-to-you items at the exchange; no donation necessary. On Thursday, May 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. join us in the Program Room for the Artists Sneak Peek. This special preview welcomes the artists who will have exhibits at the library from June 2026-April 2027. Meet the talented artists and learn what motivates them to create their beautiful pieces. Hedberg Public Library is hosting America 250 - Rock County, a history series acknowledging and celebrating Rock County's history as the nation marks its Semiquincentennial. The program series continues on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. with local historian, Pete Skelly, presenting Wisconsin’s 13th Regiment in Civil War. No registration is necessary. The Hedberg Public Library Foundation is pleased to partner with Girls’ Night Out Rock County for a fundraiser on Thursday, May 14, from 5-8 p.m. at Sidelines Sports Pub & Grill. Attendees will find basket raffles and a 50/50, as well as good company while raising money for the new HPL Bookmobile. Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. HPL Express, located inside Uptown Janesville at 2500 Milton Ave., is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Both locations will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. - EXHIBITS: MIXED MEDIA: 2026 - 2027 Art Season Artists - STORYTIMES: Summer Storytimes begin Monday, June 15 SENSE-ATIONAL STORYTIME for kids & families Friday, May 1 at 9:45 a.m. PROGRAM ROOM Join us for a 15-minute playtime, followed by 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, and activities. This sensory friendly storytime is specially designed for library friends with sensory processing challenges or other developmental challenges, but all are welcome. A visual schedule, fidgets, and more will be provided. No registration necessary. - COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS: SOCIETY’S ASSETS Mondays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 4-18 STUDY ROOM 4 Society's Assets is a local nonprofit that provides independent living services supporting individuals of any age with any disability who live in Racine, Kenosha, Walworth, Rock, and Jefferson counties. No registration necessary. COMMUNITY ACTION INC. Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. May 6 & 20 STUDY ROOM 4 Community Action, Inc. (CAI) is a not-for-profit organization offering programs to fight poverty in Rock and Walworth counties in Wisconsin. No registration necessary. ROCK COUNTY ADRC ELDER BENEFITS SPECIALIST Thursday, May 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. STUDY ROOM 4 The Elder Benefit Specialist helps Rock County residents aged 60 years or older who are encountering problems with private or government benefit programs such as Medicare, Food Share, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SeniorCare, and Medical Assistance. Benefit Specialists are trained and guided by attorneys who specialize in elder and disability benefits law. No registration necessary. - BOOK CLUBS: NEW! THESE BOOKS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’ AUDIOBOOK WALKING CLUB for adults Fridays at 10 am and 6 pm LOCATIONS VARY Lace up and press play! Enjoy a one-hour walk on local trails while listening to your own audiobook, then gather afterward for snacks and a lively chat about what everyone’s been reading. May 1 & 8 ANGLER'S PARK 814 S WASHINGTON June 5 & 12 DAWSON SOFTBALL COMPLEX 920 BELOIT AVE July 10 & 17 PALMER PARK 2501 PALMER DR August 7 & 14 ROBERT O COOK ARBORETUM BLUEBIRD TRAIL MONDAYS ARE MURDER for adults Monday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m. WOODRUFF ROOM Read and discuss The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee. No registration necessary. NON-FICTION KNOWS NO BOUNDS for adults Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. LOCATION Read and discuss Ten Days in a Madhouse by Nellie Bly. No registration necessary. June 17: Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand READING ON THE ROCK Thursday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m WOODRUFF ROOM Read and discuss The Names by Florence Knapp. No registration necessary. - OTHER RECURRING: READ-IN WITH MARY for ages 5-11 Mondays from 3:30-5 p.m. May 4-18 CHILDREN’S ROOM Bring or choose your own reading material for some cozy silent reading with Mary the Comfort Dog. Take turns reading aloud if you'd like! No registration necessary. MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC for teens & adults Mondays from 5-7 p.m. May 4 & 18 LAB 316 We invite you to experience the captivating world of Magic: The Gathering, whether you're a skilled player or a curious newcomer. We would be delighted to teach you the fundamentals if you're unfamiliar or join in a game or two if you are an experienced player. Join us for an immersive adventure where every move shapes the outcome. No registration necessary. TECHNOLOGY OFFICE HOURS for adults Thursdays at 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. May 7 & 21 HPL EXPRESS | UPTOWN JANESVILLE, 2500 MILTON AVE. Wednesdays at 10 & 11 a.m. May 13 & 27 STUDY ROOM 1 Sign up for a 45-minute tech help appointment with Tyler, HPL’s Innovation Librarian. Get help with a new device, troubleshoot tech problems, or learn a new skill! Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended. Call 608-758-5833 or email tkellman@hedbergpubliclibrary.org to make an appointment. CHESS CLUB Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. May 2-30 WOODRUFF ROOM Play, learn, or watch with chess Life Master and former Wisconsin State Champion, Peter Webster. No registration necessary. - FEATURED PROGRAMS WOOD CARVING DEMO for all ages Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. ATRIUM Visit with members of the Rock River Valley Woodcarvers and learn the skills of their craft. No registration is necessary. RISE OF THE READERS: A STAR WARS CELEBRATION for all ages Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. THROUGHOUT LIBRARY This IS the celebration you’re looking for! Geek out with Star Wars inspired crafts, Jedi Skills tests, photo ops, and more. Plus, meet members of official Lucas Films costume clubs: 501st Garrison (Bad Guys doing Good), Mando Mercs (Good? Bad? They’re mercenaries ...), and The Rebel Legion (the Good Guys). No registration necessary. TWEEN TEAM: PUZZLING PUZZLES for ages 9-12 Monday, May 4 from 3:45-5 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Riddles, puzzles, clues, challenges, and games, oh my! Give your brains a workout with fun, Mr. Lemoncello style head-scratchers at this zany Tween Team. Play games and help with fun projects. Dress for mess & activities! Geared for tweens aged 9-12. Younger and older siblings, friends & family are not invited to this program. Registration is required. Register online, at the library, or call 608-758-6585. QPR: SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING for teens & adults Monday, May 4, 6-7:30 pm PROGRAM ROOM Presented by UW Extension of Rock County & Rock County Human Services Become a certified gatekeeper and learn three simple steps anyone can use to help save a life from suicide. Find out how to recognize the warning signs of suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Registration is required. Register online, at the library, or call 608-758-6600. CHAIR YOGA for teens & adults Wednesday, May 5, 6 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Join us for a gentle yoga class perfect for anyone with mobility or balance challenges, or for those who work while seated. Chair provided. Please bring any other props you like to use for yoga. No registration necessary. Participate at your own risk and let the instructor know of any injuries or modifications before the program. ARTIST SNEAK PEEK for all ages Thursday, May 7, 6-7:30 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Speak with 2026-2027 exhibiting artists and learn how they started and what motivates them to create their beautiful pieces. Stroll through the library to view samples of their work. No registration necessary. HEDBERG HARMONY: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN DULCIMER CLUB for all ages Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. FIREPLACE ROOM Enjoy relaxing dulcimer music on the 2nd Saturday of each month. No registration necessary. HEDBERG HARMONY: ECLECTIC RED for all ages Saturday, May 9, 1 p.m. FIREPLACE ROOM Enjoy acoustic music with Caryn and Ed. No registration necessary. PERK UP & PUZZLE for adults Monday, May 11 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. PROGRAM ROOM Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and some conversation while we work on a featured puzzle or brain game together - or to take it home to do it yourself. No registration necessary. MARCH, MARCH, MARCH AND NO FIGHT: THE HISTORY OF THE 13TH WISCONSIN INFANTRY for adults Tuesday, May 12, 6-7:30 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Presented by Pete Skelly Learn the history of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry, the only Civil War Infantry regiment trained at Janesville’s Camp Tredway. Soldiers from Rock, Green and Walworth Counties marched through Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas but never fought in any large battles. Several veterans played a large part in post Civil War Janesville history. Part of the America’s 250-Rock County program series. No registration necessary. ADOPT-A-PET AT THE LIBRARY for all ages Wednesday, May 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m. ATRIUM Meet adorable adoptable pets from the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin. No registration necessary. PUZZLE WITH A PUP for adults Wednesday, May 13, 1 p.m. TECH CORRIDOR in partnership with Alliance of Therapy Dogs Stop in to put a puzzle together with Therapy Dogs Gus & Jasmine. No registration necessary. EVENING YOGA for teens & adults Wednesday, May 13, 6 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Join us for a beginner-friendly gentle Vinyasa Yoga class. Bring your own yoga mat or towel and any props you may prefer (blocks or strap) and water. No registration necessary. GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT for adults Thursday, May 14, 5-8 p.m. SIDELINES SPORTS PUB & GRILL Find amazing basket raffles, a 50/50, good company, and a great cause - our new HPL Bookmobile! No registration necessary. HOMEBUYERS WORKSHOP for adults Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM presented by NeighborWorks - Blackhawk Region sponsored by City of Janesville, Associated Bank, Blackhawk Community Credit Union, Johnson Financial Group, Loan Depot, Bank First, and First Mid Bank & Trust Join us for a full-day workshop that will walk you through the steps in the home buying process. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required. To register, please contact by phone 608-362-9051 ext. 20, email homebuying@nwbr.org, or text 608-313-7809. MEMORY CAFÉ: THERAPY DOGS for adults Monday, May 18 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM We will be hosting a couple of therapy dogs and their owners to learn all about them. Come and meet Jasmine and Gus. A Memory Café is a social gathering for individuals who are experiencing early-stage memory loss or dementia and attend with a family member, friend, or a care partner. It is a safe and welcoming space to connect, find support, and enjoy a sense of community and purpose. Registration is required. Register by calling ADRC’s Dementia Care Specialist Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615. HEDBERG HARMONY: ROCK RIVER STRING BAND for all ages Monday, May 18, 2 p.m. FIREPLACE ROOM Listen to live music by local musicians. No registration necessary. BREASTFEEDING VILLAGE: EDUCATION & COMMUNITY FOR NEW MOMS for adults Tuesday, May 19, 12:30-1:30 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM presented by Rock County Nutrition Health Associates (WIC) Learn the ‘How To’s’ of nursing and pumping! Find comradery with other moms, explore common questions and concerns, and overcome those obstacles as a breastfeeding community. Registration required. Call Nutrition and Health Associates at 608-893-7014 or email annikard@nhawic.org. AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE for adults Friday, May 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Make an appointment at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS. Walk-ins are welcome! CASUAL CRAFTERS for teens & adults Tuesday, May 26, 5:30-7 p.m. LAB 316 Create a crafting community! Bring your current project or start a new one, browse our new Little Free Lab 316 craft supplies, and meet other crafters. No registration necessary. SPORTING GOODS EXCHANGE for all ages Wednesday, May 27, 1-7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 1-7 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM Donate your slightly used (but still useful) sports equipment so it can find a new home - then stop back to shop for new-to-you items! Donations will be accepted May 1-21 at the library’s main service desk. No registration necessary. BOOKS AND BREWS: TRIVIA NIGHT for adults Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. ROCK COUNTY BREWING COMPANY, 10 North Parker Drive Enjoy three rounds of trivia, puzzles, and games. Play along for prizes or watch for fun. Bring a non-perishable item and get a drink discount and help us restock the Echo Foodbank shelves! No registration necessary.