Hayner Library Shares Free Resources and Programs Through April

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy month ahead with a focus on helping the community and providing a space for people to come together.

“We’re trying to do old-school programs and get people together and build a sense of community,” said Executive Director Mary Cordes. “That’s what the library strives to be: a community.”

At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Alton Square Mall library branch will host a presentation titled “St. Louis Zoo: Past, Present, and Future.” This event will share information about the zoo’s beginning as a place for animals left in the city from the 1904 World’s Fair, as well as its current conservation efforts and upcoming expansion to North County.

For those who aren’t interested in the zoo, you can still enjoy the library at their X’s and Sews: A Crafting Program event at 6 p.m. on April 7 at the Alton Square Mall library. This program invites community members to work on arts and crafts projects together at the library. It aims to bring people together while providing a space for artists.

On Wednesday, April 8, the Genealogy and Local History Library will host Dr. Ian Hunt from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for this lecture, “Dr. Ian Hunt: Grant and Lee from Appomattox to Reconstruction.” Hunt will explain how the end of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era still affects American life today.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, grandparents can attend “AgeSmart Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,” an event that aims to help grandparents who are raising or helping to raise young relatives. This program will explain some of the services and resources available to these older adults so that both generations get the support they need.

Cordes noted that technology can be a major frustration for these older adults, especially as their grandkids are expected to use this technology at school. She shared that Hayner’s reference librarian can schedule 30-minute one-on-one sessions with people to go over basic technology tips in addition to resources like the AgeSmart session.

Throughout the month of April, kids can participate in a KidsSpace Treasure Hunt at the library. This NASA-themed hunt encourages children to learn where different books and resources are located in the library, and everyone who finishes the hunt will receive a prize.

Hayner hosts a bimonthly Cookbook Club, and this month’s meeting is at 6 p.m. on April 14 in the mall library. Patrons are invited to stop by the library and choose a recipe from “Brilliant Bites: 75 Amazing Small Bites for Any Occasion,” and then they can make the recipe and return on April 14 with their dish for others to sample. This program encourages people to share cooking tips and tricks while also trying new recipes.

“Family Roots Pilot Program with Dr. LaKisha T. David” is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Genealogy and Local History Library. David, a professor at the University of Illinois, will share information about how DNA testing and genetic results can impact genealogy research and researchers’ understanding of their family history, especially for African Americans who might not have this information readily available.

At 6 p.m. on April 21, 2026, patrons can enjoy “The Music of Michael Marciano.” This musician will perform live, featuring acoustic and electric guitar, vocals, live looping and drum beats, at the Alton Square Mall library.

A new program through the AARP will start on April 29 at the mall library. “AARP’s Everyday Tech for Everyday Life” series will begin with a presentation about AI disinformation at 12 p.m. on April 29.

Cordes is also excited to bring back “The Empowered Caregiver: An Education Series by The Alzheimer’s Association.” At 6 p.m. on April 30, the mall library will host the first of three sessions, titled “Supporting Independence.” This session aims to help people experiencing dementia and their caregivers navigate the diagnosis and manage expectations for autonomy.

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

There are several other programs and events planned for the month of April and beyond. You can see a full calendar of events on the Hayner Public Library District official website.

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