What’s your favorite zoo animal? For me and my kids, we love visiting the reptiles. Seeing their prehistoric features feels like a trip back in time! Whatever your favorite, the Aurora Public Library District welcomes you and your family to a zoo-themed storytime event Tuesday, April 28. Our special guest
Every April, the Aurora Public Library District and libraries across the country come together to celebrate National Library Week. It’s a time to recognize the vital role libraries play in strengthening communities, expanding access to information, and inspiring lifelong learning. It’s also a reminder that libraries are not just places
By Kiri Palm, Aurora Public Library, West Branch manager There were a lot of important questions I was asked while interviewing for my position as the West Branch Manager, but one really stood out: How do you feel about a branch renovation? It was an exciting prospect and an undertaking
When you visit the Aurora Public Library District, you see thousands of items on our shelves waiting patiently to be taken home. What you don’t see is the work that went into getting them there. Every single item (over 330,000) had to be ordered, received, labeled, barcoded, cataloged, and shelved
Looking for something fun (and free!) to do over spring break? Head to the Aurora Public Library District for a show that’s guaranteed to blow up your expectations (in the best way possible). Family entertainer Smarty Pants is bringing The Magical World of Balloons to APLD Wednesday, April 1 with
Pack some snacks and check your map; it’s time for a Library Road Trip! Starting Saturday, March 28, the Aurora Public Library District and 15 area libraries will come together to share the spirit of discovery, adventure, and community. It’s a chance for anyone to support libraries, learn something new,
Imagine a train traveling through the countryside. It whizzes past a flock of sheep grazing on a hill, a field of flowers with a variety of blooms, and a farmer who waves a quiet hello. As our train approaches a tunnel, the landscape begins to change. All of a sudden,
Not every young person knows what they want to be when they grow up — but sometimes all it takes is one conversation to discover a passion. At the Aurora Public Library District, we’ve started a new program series at West Branch to get teens thinking about their future without
A community grows stronger when each voice has the opportunity to tell its story. At the Aurora Public Library District, we created the Community Voices initiative to provide a space for people in Aurora to share their personal narratives, learn from their neighbors, and see themselves reflected in our city.
According to a National Health Survey by the CDC, “more than 1 in 10 children ages 2 – 5 had at least one untreated cavity in their baby teeth and half of all children ages 6 – 9 have had cavities in their permanent teeth.” To help combat this ongoing
Close your eyes and picture a beautiful person. What color are their eyes? What style of hair do they have? What does their clothing look like? We all have our own opinions, but what standards are these opinions based on? For centuries, darker skin has often been portrayed as “less
Most history books, especially in Illinois, mention Jane Addams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who was once described as “the most famous American woman of the 20th Century.” Fewer know the story of Alta May Hulett, a Rockton native who became Illinois’s first female lawyer at just 19 years old,
Since 2022, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) has participated in Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a virtual program series that provides high-quality online events to library customers. Previous speakers include Nick Offerman, Kwame Alexander, Danny Trejo, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Dr. Temple Grandin. This year, APLD has expanded these events by
Families want the best for their young children, and we’re fortunate to live in a community with so many resources that support early learning. But navigating and accessing those resources can be overwhelming, especially for new and expectant parents. Thankfully, the Aurora Public Library District brings it all together in
More than 200 people attended Santori Aurora Public Library’s annual 3 Kings Day celebration January 4. The highlight was photos with the three kings, Pablo Guerrero, Luis Corona, and John Butler, in costumes. Additionally, the bilingual, family friendly event featured crafts, games, sweet bread, free toy animals, and loteria, Mexican-style
For generations, the Fox River has influenced how Aurora grew, worked, and came together as a community. In 2026, the Aurora Public Library District will highlight that connection with Aurora on the Fox, a yearlong initiative that combines an engaging exhibit with a diverse lineup of programs about the river
If you’re looking for a joyful way to kick off the new year with your family, the Aurora Public Library District has you covered. Our annual Three Kings Day Celebration will return to the Santori Library Sunday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. to bring family fun, cultural traditions, and moments
The year 2025 was a year of celebration, growth, and meaningful connection at the Aurora Public Library District. Together with our community, we marked milestones like Santori Library’s 10th birthday and the Foundation’s 25th anniversary, launched a new reading incentive program for middle school students (100 Books Before High School),
If you’ve ever wished for a book fairy godparent, you are in luck! The Aurora Public Library District’s reader’s advisory services are basically that, minus the sparkly wand. Whether you love browsing on your own, want a librarian to handcraft a list just for you, or prefer a little of
It’s easy to overlook just how much money the library can help you save. At the Aurora Public Library District (APLD), we are continually working to reduce everyday costs for individuals and families and increase our overall value to Aurora. You see this through the collections we maintain, the services
