History, Cooking, Music and More: Hayner Library Outlines Free Programs in February

Our Daily Show Interview! Beyond the Shelves With Hayner: Winter Events Continue!

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy month ahead, with events that are perfect for those interested in reading, history, music and more.

Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive director, noted that the library offers a wide variety of free activities to promote community and bring people together. She hopes patrons come out to access the library’s resources, but also to engage with their programs.

“That’s one of the things that we’re really trying to impress upon people, that the library isn’t just this place that’s a repository of books,” she said. “We have over 200,000 items in the collection, so we have that. But one of the things, too, that we’re doing is trying to create a sense of community and a sense of place for people to come and enjoy each other’s company and get to meet new people or bring the people that you currently do know in your life to the library and just hang out and learn things and have a good time.”

To start, the Blind Date with a Book initiative will run through the first two weeks of February. Library staff members have wrapped books in paper and written a few key words on the covers. Patrons can choose books without knowing the author or title. Cordes noted that you might “fall in love with a book” through this process.

She is especially excited about “The Lovejoy Legacy” presented by the Vintage Voices Players at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at Alton Square Mall. Five Vintage Voices actors will revive their roles to present information about Elijah Lovejoy. This unique program will share more about Lovejoy by documenting the lives he touched.

The next day, on Friday, Feb. 13, the mall library will host Palentine’s Day Game Night — an evening of games, snacks and hanging out with your pals. From 6–7:30 p.m., community members can meet new people and enjoy spending time together at the library.

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On Feb. 19, the Hayner Cookbook Club will meet at 6 p.m. at the mall library. Patrons are encouraged to browse Hayner’s cookbook collection or their A to Z World Food database to find a recipe, then make this recipe and bring the food to the library to share. Cordes noted that this program always draws in a lot of people who love to cook and are eager to share their tips with newbies and professionals alike.

She added that her fellow “history nerds” should mark their calendars for a lecture titled “The Deaths and Funerals of Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s Two Sons: Eddy and Willie.” Presented by historian Dr. George Provenzano at the Genealogy and Local History Library on Feb. 25, this presentation will discuss the Lincolns’ legacy and their grief following the deaths of their sons.

Looking ahead, Cordes also encourages people to save their seats for “Discover Washington D.C.: A Monumental Journey” on March 10 at the mall, where licensed tour guide LaCreatia Huff will take people through a virtual tour of D.C. The presentation will include information about the most well-known monuments and the Smithsonian.

On March 24, Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher will take a break from his normal performances at venues like Carnegie Hall to play in Alton at the mall. Cordes can’t wait to hear his music.

All of these events are completely free to attend. Registration is required for most; you can call 1-800-613-3163 to reserve your spot.

Cordes commended the staff members who work hard to support patrons through events and programs like this. She added that these activities are just a few highlights, but the library has ongoing programming almost every day.

“We have a fantastic staff,” she said. “Just grab the library newsletter or go on the library website because I guarantee you there’s a program going on…I’m sure there’s something for everyone throughout the week if you’re looking for something to do that’s free.”

For more information about Hayner Public Library District, including a full calendar of upcoming events, visit their official website at HaynerLibrary.org.

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