Celebrating 150 Years
Online supplement to the story “In Pursuit of Knowledge” in the Feb/Mar 2025 issue of Decatur Magazine. All rights reserved.
The Decatur Public Library (DPL) preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. To celebrate 150 years of service to the community DPL offers a special series of events in 2025.
2025 Events
February 15
Trivia night about Decatur and library fun facts
March 1
Performance in the Madden Center by indie folk duo Hungrytown
March 22
TikTok librarian and now PBS librarian Mychal Threets leads a conversation about the incredible impact of libraries
April 12
A two-mile color run will follow a route past former library locations
May 3
The “Best of READiculous” with Alyssa Henkel and Susan Bishop
June 21
Day-long “Clash of the Generations” tournament for ages 16 and up and a predicted “teen-pleaser”
July (TBD)
Puzzle-making race customized to DPL history
August 2
The year’s big outdoor birthday bash
September 18
New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins will visit Decatur high schools to lead a teen workshop
October 16–18
Performances by Live History, a Canadian-based international traveling theatre company brings local history to life in an escape room format
November 14–15
Author Aaron Reynolds will visit local schools and hold a public book signing for his children’s books including “Creepy Pair of Underwear” and “Creepy Crayons”
December (TBD)
Macon County Historian Mark Sorensen’s presentation on DPL’s 150-year journey
The team behind the 2025 anniversary celebration started meeting in August 2022:
Committee — Becky Damptz, Head of Archives and Special Collections; Alix Frazier, Collections Librarian; Carol Ziese, Head of Circulation and Technical Services; Shelley Whiteside, Library Assistant;
Janet Denton, Library Clerk; Chris Nihiser, Systems Support Specialist; Samantha Carroll, Board of Trustees/DPL Foundation; Bryan Hedenberg, Friend of the Library.
Contributors — Jason Butterick, Library Assistant; Katie Eytchinson, Adult Programming Librarian; Tye Pemberton, Public Services Librarian; Alissa Henkel, Head of Programs, Resources, and Services; Alexis Tipton, Teen Librarian; Sue Bishop – Library Assistant.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Andreas Foundation
Decatur Public Library Foundation
Fleet Feet Friends of the Decatur Public Library
Thinkwell Makerspace
Decatur Public Library
130 N. Franklin St.
Decatur IL 62523
www.decaturlibrary.org / 217-424-2900
Entrance and free parking are located at the east side of the building