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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. - The HPL 2026 Summer Library Challenge: Unearth a Story kicks off on Monday, June 15! Through Friday, August 7, all ages are invited to register and record their summer reading and activities for an opportunity to win prizes all summer long and a free book at completion. Learn more at //hedbergpubliclibrary.org/summer. Monday-Friday from 11 am-1 pm June 15-July 31, the School District of Janesville and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be offering children 18 years and younger free lunch in HPL’s Library Park. Lunch may not be taken to go. Adults 19+ may purchase lunch for a small fee. HPL Book Fest 2026, in partnership with Downtown Janesville Inc. and Janesville Farmers Market, returns for its fifth year with a newly expanded format Friday, June 19-Saturday, June 27. The celebration of books and authors includes craft-focused workshops, guest authors, a reception, literary events throughout downtown Janesville, and a Local Author Book Fair. Details and the full schedule of events can be found at //hedbergpubliclibrary.org/book-fest. 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, June 16 at 6 pm with A Happy Collaboration: Janesville and the Chicago and North Western Railroad, presented by Craig Pfannkuche. Hedberg Public Library, 316 S. Main St., is open Monday-Thursday, 9 am-8 pm and Friday-Saturday, 9 am-5 pm HPL Express, located inside Uptown Janesville at 2500 Milton Ave., is open Monday-Saturday from 10 am-4 pm. - EXHIBITS: ART: Mixed Media by Woody May, Mixed Media by Isabella Schaeffer, Mixed Media by Sue Cullen CASE: Clay Creations by Katie Swanson - STORYTIMES: BABIES IN THE LIBRARY for kids & families Wednesdays at 9:30 & 10:30 am June 17-August 5 PROGRAM ROOM Start growing your reader with rhymes, songs, and simple books. Develop early literacy skills at this interactive storytime for our youngest patrons. No registration necessary. WIGGLE AND RHYME for kids & families Thursdays at 9:30 & 10:30 am June 18-August 6 PROGRAM ROOM Join us for an interactive storytime featuring books, songs, action rhymes, puppets and more that incorporates the five practices of early literacy: READ, WRITE, TALK, SING & PLAY. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers with their caregivers. All ages welcome. SENSE-ATIONAL STORYTIME for kids & families Fridays at 9:45 am June 19-August 7 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. PAJAMA STORYTIME for kids & families Mondays at 6 pm June 22-August 3 PROGRAM ROOM Get those wiggles out before bedtime with a lively mixture of bedtime stories, interactive rhymes, songs, and more. No registration necessary. - COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS: SOCIETY’S ASSETS Mondays from 10 am-1 pm June 1-29 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 pm June 3 & 17 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, June 18, 11:30 am-1 pm 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 & 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. Inclement weather location is HPL Express at Uptown Janesville, 2500 Milton Avenue. 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 SAVOR THE BOOK COOKBOOK CLUB for adults Tuesday, June 9 at 6 pm WOODRUFF ROOM Celebrate your inner chef! Test recipes from each title, then share and sample the dishes with fellow foodies at our meet up. June title: American Table: The Foods, People, and Innovations that Feed Us by Lisa Kingsley in collaboration with Smithsonian Institution. NON-FICTION KNOWS NO BOUNDS for adults Wednesday, June 17 at 6 pm RACETRACK PARK, EDGERTON Read and discuss Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. No registration necessary. July 15: War Doctor by David Nott HALF-PINT BOOK CLUB for adults Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 pm ROCK COUNTY BREWING COMPANY, 10 N. PARKER DRIVE Short Stories and Even Shorter Discussions! Read the short story (usually less than 20 pages) and then join us at Rock County Brewing for trivia and a brief (you won't even have time to finish a full pint) discussion of the story. Pizza provided. Bring your own snacks. Read and discuss Sometimes Creek by Steve Fox. https://newohioreview.org/2022/08/29/sometimes-creek/#more-27184 - OTHER RECURRING: MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC for teens & adults Mondays from 5-7 pm June 1 & 15 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. CHESS CLUB Saturdays from 1-3 pm June 6-27 WOODRUFF ROOM Play, learn, or watch with chess Life Master and former Wisconsin State Champion, Peter Webster. No registration necessary. READ-IN WITH MARY for ages 5-11 Mondays from 3:30-5 pm June 8-29 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. TECHNOLOGY OFFICE HOURS for adults Thursdays at 11 am & 12 pm June 4 & 18 HPL EXPRESS | UPTOWN JANESVILLE, 2500 MILTON AVE. Wednesdays at 10 & 11 am June 10 & 24 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. - FEATURED PROGRAMS CHAIR YOGA for teens & adults Wednesday, June 3, 6 pm 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. WOOD CARVING DEMO for all ages Saturdays from 9 am-12 pm June 6 & 20 ATRIUM Visit with members of the Rock River Valley Woodcarvers and learn the skills of their craft. No registration is necessary. ADOPT-A-PET AT THE LIBRARY for all ages Wednesday, June 10, 9:30-11:30 am ATRIUM Meet adorable adoptable pets from the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin. No registration necessary. PUZZLE WITH A PUP for adults Wednesday, June 10, 1 pm 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, June 10, 6 pm 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. HEDBERG HARMONY: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN DULCIMER CLUB for all ages Saturday, June 13, 10 am FIREPLACE ROOM Enjoy relaxing dulcimer music on the 2nd Saturday of each month. No registration necessary. MARVEL MOVIE MARATHON for teens & adults Saturdays from 10:30 am-4:30 pm June 13: Captain America Civil War & Spiderman Homecoming June 27: Avengers Infinity War & Avengers End Game July 25: Spiderman Far From Home & Spiderman No Way Home PROGRAM ROOM Catch up on the Marvel movies you need to see before the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. MEMORY CAFÉ: CYCLING WITHOUT AGE for adults Monday, June 15 from 10:30 am-12 pm PALMER PARK EAST PAVILION In partnership with Cycling Without Age Enjoy the wind in your hair and connect with nature while getting a ride on a Trishaw bike through Palmer Park. Cycling Without Age is an organization that provides Trishaw rides for seniors 60+ and adults 18+ who are otherwise unable to ride a bike. Trishaw bikes have 3 wheels, power assist, and are operated by drivers who have gone through specialized training. Signed waivers are required. 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, June 15, 2 pm FIREPLACE ROOM Listen to live music by local musicians. No registration necessary. BREASTFEEDING VILLAGE: EDUCATION & COMMUNITY FOR NEW MOMS for adults Tuesday, June 16, 12:30-1:30 pm 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. TUESDAY FUN: DINOSAUR DISCOVERY for kids & families Tuesday, June 16, 2 pm PROGRAM ROOM Presented by Nick Wiersum of the Dinosaur Discovery Museum Discover exactly what it takes to find the giants that once ruled our planet! Learn what tools are used in the field, hear about the crew’s most thrilling discoveries, and get hands-on experience with real fossils and casts. Part of Storywagon by PLLS. A HAPPY COLLABORATION: JANESVILLE AND THE CHICAGO AND NORTH WESTERN RAILROAD for adults Tuesday, June 16, 6 pm PROGRAM ROOM presented by Craig Pfannkuche Learn about the symbiotic relationship between the city of Janesville and the Chicago and North Western railroad in the 135 years since its inception. View documents, maps and photographs that tell the tale of William B. Ogden’s journey as he built his Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac railroad from Chicago into central Wisconsin. Part of our America 250 – Rock County Program Series. No registration necessary. CASUAL CRAFTERS for teens & adults Thursday, June 18, 5:30-7 pm 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. - HPL BOOK FEST for adults FRIDAY, JUNE 19 HEDBERG PUBLIC LIBRARY 11 am REGISTRATION LOBBY 11:30 am BROWN BAG LUNCH with Orange Hat Publishing Authors PROGRAM ROOM 1 pm WRITING WORKSHOPS Session I Print Isn’t Dead: How Writers Pitch, Place, and Publish in Print Media presented by Michelle Gardner LAB 316 Television didn’t kill radio. The internet didn’t kill television. And print media is far from dead. In today’s digital-first world, print still thrives. Thousands of niche, trade and consumer magazines are alive, profitable and desire engaging content. While this session does not guarantee publication, it does guarantee that attendees will be taken inside the process; showing them how to move from idea to pitch to published piece. Writing Characters: Show, Don’t Tell presented by Mary Ann Noe WOODRUFF Mark Twain said, “Don’t say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” This interactive workshop is designed to help writers, especially beginning or intermediate writers, expand character descriptions, motives, development, and such, by using action, word choice, and the senses. Attendees will do practice runs, both with partners and alone, to share with the group, if they are comfortable. Creating a Standout First Chapter presented by Sarah J. Mendonca PROGRAM ROOM With so many new stories out every year, it's important to hook readers from the very first sentence. Learn about ten universal hooks for compelling openings, using Action and Intrigue to draw people in, and common mistakes that stop readers from continuing. 2:15 pm WRITING WORKSHOPS Session II Plotting Your Novel: Adapting a Screenplay Approach presented by Joseph Rein PROGRAM ROOM Beginning, muddle, end. So many of us novelists know where we want to begin, where we should end, but encounter problems in that dreadful middle. However, using techniques adapted from screenwriting, novelists can unlock those key elements that broaden and deepen our plots, characters, and settings, leading both us and our readers to a satisfying conclusion. Writing a Short Personal Essay for Beginners presented by Frances Wiedenhoeft LAB 316 This workshop is designed to help new writers develop a personal essay they can work on and eventually share with family, the community, or publish. The session will discuss character and setting in an interactive format, with comments, questions, and suggestions. Participants will have writing time after which the group come together to share how the experience was for them and to provide further writing resources. Poetry as a Coping Tool presented by Kelsey Bigelow FIREPLACE ROOM Life has a way of throwing heavy stuff at us, and it's our job to manage our mental health through it all. This workshop walks participants through methods for writing poetry as a coping tool. From free writing and responding to prompts to observing your situation and trying a poetic form, poetry can help you process and manage your emotions through the heaviness. Attendees will explore poetic tools (e.g., metaphor, imagery, prompts, erasure/blackout, etc.) and how to use them intentionally as a coping tool. The skills discussed in this session are transferrable to writers of all genres. The Goblin Method of Kind of Outlining a Book presented by A.Z. Louise/Alby C. Williams WOODRUFF ROOM For anyone who feels stifled by a full outline but lost without some kind of plan, A.Z. Louise's Goblin Method combines multiple outlining and plotting tools to create a fresh way of coming at outlining a novel or novella-length book. This method can be tailored to any genre and category. 3:30 pm SPECIAL GUEST Maggie Ginsberg PROGRAM ROOM Visit with the author of Still True and the forthcoming Daisy Chain. 5:30 pm BOOK FEST RECEPTION WITH FEATURED AUTHOR Lesley Kagen PROGRAM ROOM Meet and Greet with local authors and special guest Lesley Kagen followed by book sale and signing in the Fireplace Room, and then a discussion of Lesley's novel Whistling in the Dark. Appetizers provided. Cash bar also available. - SATURDAY, JUNE 20 HEDBERG PUBLIC LIBRARY 9:30 am WRITING WORKSHOP Session III The "Eras" Tour: How to do Research Different Eras for Your Historical Fiction Novel presented by Jessica Brousseau PROGRAM ROOM Do you love writing about history but don't know how to get the facts right? Researching for your historical novel can feel like a never-ending cycle of learning that doesn't help you to actually write the book. If you find yourself stuck in the research, come to this class to learn about some helpful resources and techniques that will help you get the most out of your research so you can get back to writing that book. Working with an Editor: What You Need to Know presented by Jody Benson WOODRUFF ROOM Behind every great book is an astute editor. From manuscript assessments and developmental editing to copy editing and proofreading, editors play an essential role in bringing books to life. But have you ever wondered how to get the most out of your relationship with your editor? I'm here to demystify what an editor does behind the scenes and provide tips for getting the most from your relationship with a professional editor. Querying Your Novel presented by B. F. Peterson LAB 316 Discuss the traditional publishing process and how to prepare the materials you will need to pitch your book to literary agents, including the logline, query letter, and synopsis. 10:45 AM SPECIAL GUEST Ann Garvin: Pitching Books That Don’t Fit a Tidy Publishing Box PROGRAM ROOM Some books resist tidy genre labels, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be sold or described with confidence. This session will focus on how to talk about what does fit in the market, how to choose comps that add energy instead of draining it, and how an author’s voice can become the book’s biggest selling point. 12 pm BROWN BAG LUNCH with Wisconsin Writers Association PROGRAM ROOM Wisconsin Writers Association members will discuss the history of WWA Press, books published/on the docket for publication through 2027, the focus of WWA Press, and the process for submission/selection. 1:30 pm WORKSHOP UW Press Publishing PROGRAM ROOM presented by Amber R. Cederstrom, Acquisitions Editor Review University of Wisconsin Press's publishing process and requirements. 3 pm FEATURED AUTHOR Pao Lor PROGRAM ROOM Acclaimed Wisconsin author Pao Lor will discuss his books Modern Jungles and Bamboo Son. A book sale and signing will follow the discussion. - TWEEN TEAM: ICE CREAM SOCIAL for ages 9-12 Mondays from 2-3:30 p.m. PROGRAM ROOM I Scream, You Scream we all Scream for Ice Cream! Build your own sundae & play carnival-type games. Calling 9-12 year olds* who love the library, like to play games, & help with fun projects! Join our club that’s just for you. Dress for mess & activities! Registration is required for each meet-up. Register online, at the library, or call 608-758-6585. *Kids must be within the age-range at the time of the program. TUESDAY FUN: THE ROPE WARRIOR for kids & families Tuesday, June 23, 2 pm PROGRAM ROOM Watch incredible rope tricks by a high-energy fitness superhero and Guinness World Record holder for most “rump jumps!” Part of Storywagon by PLLS. No registration necessary. ARMENIA - A LAND WHERE ANGELS WALK IN GUISE AS MISSIONARIES: A WITNESS, A WRITER, A COURAGEOUS WOMAN for adults Tuesday, June 23, 6 pm PROGRAM ROOM presented by Julie Orvis Explore the history of the Armenian Genocide through firsthand eyewitness accounts and historical context. Examine the experiences of missionary Susan Wealthy Orvis using letters, photographs, and personal archives. Reflect on the resilience and humanitarian courage of missionaries like Susan through historical accounts featured in Grit and Grace in a World Gone Mad by Wendy Elliot. No registration necessary. STORYWALK KICKOFF AT ROTARY BOTANICAL GARDENS for kids & families Wednesday, June 24, 1-3 pm ROTARY BOTANICAL GARDENS, 1455 PALMER DRIVE Stroll through the StoryWalk featuring Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin, then enjoy activities for all ages throughout the Gardens. Visit the new HPL Bookmobile to check out books! Admission to the StoryWalk Kickoff on Wednesday, June 24 is by donation. Admission on regular days requires a small fee. No registration necessary. TUESDAY FUN: GREAT SCOTT IT MUST BE MAGIC for kids & families Tuesday, June 30, 2 pm PROGRAM ROOM Get ready for “The Magical Archaeology Adventure” - full of jaw-dropping magic, hilarious ventriloquism, upbeat music, and tons of audience participation! No registration necessary.