Chester Public Library

Lap Sit Story Hour
2026-03-24 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-24 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Lap Sit Story Hour is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and is for children birth to five years with their adult partners.
The children dance to songs, hear a story and do a related craft.
Please call 618-826-3711 for additional information.

Life's Moments: From Memory to Legacy Workshop
2026-03-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-02 13:00 - 14:00
Do you have treasured memories from your past you would like to record? Have you written down the special moments of your life to share with your family? Everyone has a unique and individual story to tell. Start writing yours with a little help and guidance. University of Illinois Extension is hosting a 6-week workshop called Life’s Moments: From Memory to Legacy.
“There is something special about bonding over shared stories. When people share their stories, they trigger memories for others to write about,” says Robin Ridgley, Family Life Educator, University of Illinois Extension. This workshop is designed for adults over 18 years of age. No prior writing skills are needed to join the group. You may choose to write on paper or on a computer, whichever you prefer. The emphasis of the workshop is on writing your life story. Registration will be limited to 15!
Dates will be March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, & April 6 from 1 – 2 p.m.
To register please go here! Register for Workshop | Illinois Extension

Paint and Chill: Watercolor
2026-03-20 17:30 - 19:30
We’re having a chill craft night with snacks and watercolor. No experience necessary. You can use paints or watercolor pencils using our “coloring page” style templates or a blank page. Sign-up is required by 3/18.

Teen Reading & Homework Club
2026-03-19 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-12 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-05 17:30 - 19:00
Spend some time with friends in the library reading and discussing books! Snacks available! Every Thursday at 5:30 pm.

ROE 45 GED Classes
2026-03-19 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-26 10:00 - 17:00
Available every Thursday in the downstairs conference room.

From 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 5 pm.

By appointment only.

Contact Rebekah for more information at 618.615.3261

Mobile Memory Lab Digitization Day
2026-03-19 10:00 - 15:00
Starting at 10:00am on Thursday, March 19th, cataloguers from SHARE will be at the Chester library to digitize items for preservation in the Illinois Digital Archive. Bring your letters, documents, photos, and physical objects to be photographed or scanned, after which the records will be saved as part of Illinois history.

Please note, you will be taking your items home; this project only preserves a digital version. Contact the library for more information or drop by!

Movie Matinee: Rental Family
2026-03-17 13:00 - 14:00
Popcorn is provided. Feel free to bring snacks and a lidded beverage.

Mario Day Craft: Perler Beads
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00
Celebrate Super Mario Bros by making characters using Perler beads. Walk-ins welcome.

Plant a Flower Day Craft
2026-03-12 15:30 - 17:00
Celebrate National Plant a Flower Day by making and decorating your own planter and starting a seed. Walk-ins welcome!

Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-03-09 16:45 - 17:45
The Board of Trustees will meet for their regular meeting at 4:45 pm in the downstairs community room.
Agenda and previous meeting’s minutes will be posted when available.

Family Movie Night: Zootopia 2
2026-03-06 17:30 - 19:00

Basket Weaving Class: Casserole Basket
2026-03-04 09:00 - 14:00
Learn how to weave a casserole basket, taught by Laura Klaus.
All sizes are approximate and are measured to the top of the basket, not to the top of the handle.

There is a minimum age of 15.

Registration closes 1 week prior to class so that we have time to prepare the materials.

Casserole Basket, $75, 15″ x 12″ x 5″, has a wood bottom.

Evening Book Discussion: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:30
Meets at the library in the downstairs community room on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm. Books to be read will be selected two months in advance during the discussion meeting. Suggestions are welcome!

Borrowed Books Return Week
2026-03-02 - 2026-03-07
Chester Library patrons: bring back your overdue books during March 2nd-7th and any fees for those items will be waived!

Movie Night: Now You See Me, Now You Don't
2026-02-27 18:00 - 20:00
Popcorn is provided. Feel free to bring any other snacks you might like and a lidded beverage. Sign up is not required but is always appreciated.

Teen Reading Club
2026-02-26 18:00 - 19:00
Spend some time with friends in the library reading and discussing books! Snacks available! Every Thursday at 6 pm.

Cozy Thursdays
2026-02-26
Warm up this winter at the library with a free cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea and a Hoeckle’s donut on Thursdays during the month of February. Available while supplies last.

Tie-Dye Book Tote Bag
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00
Make a tie-dye tote to carry your books in. Ages 6+ with an adult helper.
Registration is required. Sign up below or by calling 826.3711
