One Book, One Community 2024
The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
The St. Charles Public Library is excited for the return of our beloved community-wide event: One Book, One Community (OBOC). OBOC is a month-long celebration in which the entire community is encouraged to read the same book and connect over the power of a shared reading experience.
All month long, the Library will host events, discussions, and programs built around the themes and imagery of the inspiring novel at the heart of One Book, One Community this year. Please join us this October for what’s sure to be an unforgettable month of learning, beauty and connection.
About the Book
On a honeybee farm in rural Oregon, three lonely strangers find themselves brought together by chance and forsakenness. Attempting to rebuild their lives proves difficult, but not impossible in this uplifting ode to friendship and second chances. In The Music of Bees, Eileen Garvin reminds us: you’re never too old to start over, too young to grow up, or too lost to be found. All you have to do is listen for the music. It may be in the most unlikeliest of places.
An Evening with Eileen Garvin
Join us for an illuminating discussion with national bestselling author Eileen Garvin about The Music of Bees, and the stories and inspiration behind the novel. A book signing will follow this special presentation.
Monday, October 28 / 7-8:30 p.m.
Arcada Theatre
The Music of Writing
From small ideas to completed manuscripts, national bestselling author Eileen Garvin, The Music of Bees, will guide aspiring writers through a presentation of tips, tricks, and useful practices for honing your writing skill set. Audience members will be given a chance to ask general questions about the writing process following the presentation. St. Charles Public Library card required.
Tuesday, October 29
5:30-7 p.m.
Baker Community Center
Download the One Book, One Community Event Brochure here
Registration begins September 1 for all programs
Adult
Happy Felted Bumble Bee Magnet
Experience the art of needle felting. Kit includes supplies to make one bee, including a magnet so you can display your happy bee on the fridge.
REGISTER OCT 1 DATE
Pick up kit October 1-12
Reading & Research Desk
Reid Root of the Fox Valley Beekeepers Association will share his experiences as a beekeeper, explain how honey is made, and why bees are so important. Local honey will be available for purchase.
Friday, October 3 / 1-2 p.m.
Huntley Community Room
Honeycomb Quilt Coaster: An Intro to English Paper Piecing
Mollie Johanson will teach an introduction to English paper piecing (EPP), a quilting technique done entirely by hand. Participants will learn how to create a coaster using hexagon shapes, the traditional shape for EPP.
Saturday, October 5 / 10:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Huntley Community Room
The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin.
The Library offers two book discussion groups: Mornings at 10:00 a.m. and Evenings at 7:00 p.m. Join us to talk about our One Book, One Community pick for this year.
Tuesday, October 8
10–11:30 a.m. or 7–8:30 p.m.
Carnegie Community Room
Enjoy a fall evening tasting savory apple appetizers paired with cider mocktails. Chopped, sliced or shredded, you’ll learn from two of the library’s own foodies how apples create a perfect flavorful bite.
Friday, October 11 / 6-7 p.m.
Huntley Community Room
Join Marta McDowell, a writer, gardener, and avid mystery reader, in exploring the many ways in which writers—from Edgar Allen Poe and Wilkie Collins to Agatha Christie and some of today’s top crime fiction authors—have found inspiration in the sinister side of gardening.
Monday, October 21 / 7-8 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Bill Reichman, aka Bill the Baker, will share the secrets to making decadent Yemeni honeycomb bread which is considered more of a pastry rather than a bread. Each little piece is filled with either cream cheese or mascarpone cheese and served warm with a drizzle of a honey-based sauce.
Tuesday, October 22 / 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Huntley Community Room
Twine honeybee jars are cheery and a lot of fun to make! In this hands-on class, all supplies are included to make an adorable hive with cute clay bees.
Friday, October 25 / 1-2:30 p.m.
Huntley Community Room
Children
Let’s celebrate our friend, the humble bumble bee! Drop by the Library anytime during the program for some bee-themed activities just for little ones 5 and under.
Friday, October 4 / 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Youth Services, Helen Gale Story Room
Build block towers and program Bee Bot robots to knock them down.
Thursday, October 10 / 1-1:45 p.m.
Miller Haase Community Room
Day off school! Elementary students and their families are invited to join us for a showing of The Bee Movie (PG). We will have an intermission and popcorn!
Monday, October 14 / 1-3 p.m.
Huntley Community Room
All buzzy bee dancers will have a chance to show off their moves through a variety of music.
Friday, October 18 / 4-5 p.m.
Miller Haase Community Room
You’re invited to a Honey Bee Book Bash! Join us for reading, crafts, and snacks while we celebrate our favorite pollinators friends for One Book, One Community!
Thursday, October 24 / 5:30-6:15 p.m.
Miller Haase Community Room
Middle School
Learn to make a mini hive out of hex nuts and a matching bee. Stay and savor different flavors of honey!
Thursday, October 17 / 6-7 p.m.
Miller Haase Community Room
Young Adult
Learn crochet basics as you make a kawaii bee keychain.
Friday, October 11 / 3-4 p.m.
Carnegie Community Room
Stop by The Loft and build a tiny plant from the LEGO Botanical Collection. When you’re done, take it home with you and enjoy your new decorative plant that conserves water.
Tuesday, October 22 / 3-4 p.m.
The Loft
STC Creative
Unleash your creativity with our sublimation ink craft! Select from a variety of images, arrange a unique collage, and heat-transfer your design onto a garden flag.
Tuesday, October 1 / 6–8 p.m.
Friday, October 4 / 9–11 a.m.
Wednesday, October 9 / 1–3 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15 / 6–8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16 / 9–11 a.m.
Monday, October 21 / 1– 3 p.m.