Community Calendar

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
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I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

Wolf started photographing using an old Agfa in his early teens. He acquired one of the iconic range finder cameras, a Canon 7s, in the late 1960s, moved on to SLRs and twin-lens reflex cameras, established a dark room and processed his own color slides.

Along with his wife, Linnea, an artist who has worked in the visual arts for over 40 years, he has participated in many week-long photo shoots throughout the United States.

During 2018, 2019 and 2020, Wolf & Linnea spent a January week each year at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico photographing sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migrating birds. In 2019 they spent two weeks photographing birds and wildlife in Costa Rica and made trips to northeast Florida in 2019 and 2021 to shoot wading birds during their roosting period.

Focus on Photography Art Exhibit

April 1 – May 16
Awards Reception, Friday, April 10th, 6:00-8:00pm
Awards Judge - Danielle Koenig
Music by Jeff Little on the Baby Grand Piano

Sponsored by Stephen Hart Photography

The 3rd Annual Focus on Photography Exhibit presents 56 works of art by 28 artists using a variety of photographic mediums such as digital, film, mixed and unique processes.

Participating artists include Les Allen, David Bingaman, Glenn Bodish, Bob Cholke, Rick Davis, Jane Erlandson, Tyler Farino, Jeanne Garrett, Timothy Griffith, Pam Hansen, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Maggie Isaacs, Bob Kapheim, Linnea Koch, Wolf Koch, Bob Logsdon, Jeff Oesterheld, Jennifer Osborne, Joe Popp, Wayne Proeger, Kate Reed, Stephonie A Schmitz, U. A. Short, Steve Toole, Joseph Virbickis, Holden White, and Jon Wildman.

Scenic Art Loop Exhibit

Taft Gallery, April 1 – May 31

This exhibit features work by Amy Laskye, Andrew Raeside, Catherine Recker, Christina Cruz, Rebecca Jayne Hennesey, Stephonie A. Schmitz and Theresa Blitgen.

The Scenic Art Loop is a self-guided tour through the Driftless region's picturesque hills and valleys, connecting visitors with local artists and their creative spaces. Participants can explore studios and galleries, engage directly with artists, and witness the artistic process from inception to completion. The experience is enriched by opportunities to enjoy local artisan foods, wines, craft brews, and spirits, highlighting the region's cultural and culinary offerings. The initiative encourages personal interaction with unique individuals, fostering a deeper appreciation for the area's hidden talents.

NIU BookLab, NIU Libraries, and the Department of English invite you to this celebration of hands-on book arts, book studies, literary scholarship and creative experimentation.

You can help support summer garden education for youth members of South Beloit’s Boys & Girls Club by purchasing plant starts. The club kiddos helped sow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, and are ready to sell them to the community in order to raise funds for their garden and weekly educational program. We welcome donations to support the summer garden program.

Sale begins on April 29th at 4:00pm at the Bruce Nichols Boys & Girls Club. Remaining plants can be purchased at Nature At The Confluence during business hours or by appointment.

$5/ big plant and $4/ small plant. Buy four, get a fifth for free! Cash and check accepted.

Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran (1864-1922), this pioneer of investigative journalism is better known by her nom de plume, "Nellie Bly." She became famous for her exposé of the New York City Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island.

On November 14, 1889, Cochrane began a solo trip around the world in emulation of the fictional character Phileas Fogg from the 1873 Jules Verne novel "Around the World in Eighty Days" - completing her trip on January 25, 1890, in the record-breaking time of 72 days, six hours, 11 minutes, & 14 seconds.

During this presentation, you’ll meet Nellie Bly in the US Embassy in Paris in February of 1919. The Great War has ended, and Nellie recounts her adventures as a reporter, in the US, Mexico and as a war correspondent, as she awaits permission to return to the US.

The presentation is followed by a Q&A and photo opportunities.

This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Library and is part of the America 250 initiative: celebrating our nation throughout the year. Registration is not required. All ages are welcome.

For more information, please contact Susan at susang@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2114.

Many golfers spend hours practicing swing mechanics without realizing their body may not physically allow the movement they’re trying to achieve.

At this STEAM Café, NIU alumnus and athletic trainer Kody Anderson, along with certified PGA instructor Seth Terpstra, will discuss the biomechanics of the golf swing and how the body’s physical capabilities influence swing mechanics, power and consistency.

They’ll explore:

How the body generates power.

Which joints are most critical during different phases of the swing.

Why mobility and strength limitations create common swing compensations.

How strength training can improve performance and reduce injury risk, at any age.

The speakers will also lead the audience through interactive movement tests to better understand how their own bodies may be influencing their swing.

For golfers and sports enthusiasts alike, this talk will present a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the golf swing – and how non-golf-specific physical training can create lasting swing improvement.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.