What's Happening at Hayner Library This January

Our Daily Show Interview! Hayner Library: A Ton of Events Planned for 2026

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy January ahead.

Executive Director Mary Cordes stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk through the month’s programs and events. She hopes patrons come to the library to engage with their materials and experience the “community” feel they want to cultivate.

“When you're in there, the hope is you’ll take a look,” she explained. “While I’m here, let me browse. And you’ll find something new in the collection that you maybe didn’t know that we had or a new author or run into somebody that you know. It’s a way to get people in the library.”

Throughout the month of January, community members can bring their old decorative string lights to the library, where they will be recycled. Patrons who do so will receive a bookmark while supplies last.

The library will also host their quarterly fine amnesty program this month. Patrons can bring overdue Hayner Library materials back to the library along with a new or gently used cold weather clothing item, like gloves, hats and scarves. The item will be donated to Crisis Food Center, and the patron’s fine will be waived.

January is also National Hot Tea Month. Cordes said most of the librarians enjoy tea, so they decided to give out bookmarks and tea bags while supplies last starting on Jan. 5, 2026, as a fun way to celebrate the occasion.

Cordes has also noticed that most adults enjoy helping their children complete crafts at the library. Hayner has decided to offer make-or-take crafts on the first Monday of every month so adults and teens can enjoy doing crafts in the cold winter weather.

“People are stuck in their houses when it’s this cold outside. There’s really not a lot to do,” Cordes said. “You can stop by the library and pick up a cold weather craft at the circulation desk at the Alton Square Mall at the beginning of each month. It’s geared towards adults. The whole craft is in a kit. You come in and just pick it up and you can take it home. In January and February, at the beginning of each month, while supplies last, swing by and pick it up.”

The open-house style Winter Reading Retreat on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, offers Valentine’s Day-themed crafts, treats and books. In February, Hayner will offer their annual Blind Date with a Book display, where patrons can choose a book without any prior information about it.

From 10–11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, community members can join Norma Asadorian at the Genealogy and Local History Library for “Genealogy Lecture: Armenian Immigration.” Asadorian will talk about the Armenian Genocide and Armenian immigration in Granite City.

During October and November, community members could stop by the library to pick up a 4x4 canvas. They then decorated it however they wanted and returned the canvas to Jacoby Arts Center, where the canvases are on display until February. In March, the canvases will be on display at the library.

There are several other programs and events planned for January, and even more planned for 2026. Cordes encourages community members to visit the library’s official website at HaynerLibrary.org, where you can learn about the library’s materials and resources, check out a full calendar of upcoming events, and more.

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