Hayner Library Plans Spring Programs: Civil War, St. Louis Zoo, One-Man Band and More

Our Daily Show Interview! Beyond the Shelves With Hayner Library!

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has an exciting spring ahead.

As April begins, Executive Director Mary Cordes noted that the spring newsletter hit mailboxes last week and features several upcoming events for families, teens, kids and adults to enjoy. She hopes the activities and programs — all of which are free — encourage people to utilize the library, enjoy the outdoors, and engage with the community.

“A lot of the programs are geared towards getting people outside,” she said. “It’s going to be really interesting.”

Throughout the month of April, adult patrons can participate in the Adult Spring Scavenger Hunt, which aims to bring people into the library to see everything they have to offer. Cordes noted that they have plenty of objects hidden in the library, but also a few hunts that will take place throughout the community.

With each item you find, you can enter a raffle for the chance to win a hiking kit, a Kindle, or a book press. Cordes hopes people learn more about the library’s offerings while also engaging with Alton.

“The whole point of this spring scavenger hunt is to get people into the library,” she said. “It gets people familiar with the buildings and the collections and seeing what all we have other than just books. There's nothing wrong with books, but we have more than that. It also takes people into town, too. We have such a connection with our local history library with the town, and it’s such a cool town.”

A lot of fun kicks off on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the OSF OnCall information table will be at the Alton Square Mall library branch to talk patients through their health care plans, technical support, and how to schedule an appointment or health screening.

Cordes is especially looking forward to the presentation “St. Louis Zoo: Past, Present, and Future.” From 6–7 p.m. on April 7, the Alton Square Mall library will host this presentation about the zoo’s origins, its current conservation efforts, and its upcoming expansion to North County. Cordes believes this program is perfect for patrons of all ages.

But if that’s not quite your thing, you can still enjoy X’s and Sews: A Crafting Program that same night at the Alton Square Mall library from 6–7:30 p.m. This recurring event encourages artists and crafters to come together and work on their individual projects while connecting with one another.

On April 8 at the Genealogy and Local History Library, Dr. Ian Hunt will present “Grant and Lee from Appomattox to Reconstruction.” Hunt is the chief of acquisitions and special projects at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and will share more about how Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee interacted in the years immediately following the Civil War.

The Hayner Cookbook Club will meet from 6–7:30 p.m. on April 14 to exchange recipes, cooking tips, and appetizers. A few librarians are especially looking forward to the June Cookbook Club meeting, which will be Taylor Swift-themed. Cordes encourages patrons to mark their calendars for both, adding that this program continues to grow.

The Family Roots Pilot Program with Dr. LaKisha T. David is another exciting event planned for April 21, 2026, at the Genealogy and Local History Library. David will talk about DNA testing and how DNA results can intersect in real life and affect our understanding of our own history, especially for African Americans. David is an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois.

During that same 6–7 p.m. timeframe on April 21, patrons can also check out The Music of Michael Marciano at the Alton Square Mall library branch. Marciano will perform with acoustic and electric guitars, vocals, live looping and drum beats. Cordes said this “one-man band” is sure to draw an impressive audience.

All of these events are free, though some require registration to hold your spot. To register, call 1-800-613-3163.

The library has a wide variety of programs, events and activities planned over the next several weeks, and these are just a few examples of their offerings. For more information, including a full calendar of events, visit the official Hayner Public Library District website at HaynerLibrary.org.

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