Art / Poetry Reading / Meet & Greet / Book Signing
Book Shopping! Saturday, April 18, 2026
Saturday, April 18, 2026 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm @ The Decatur Public Library The Barn Colony Artists, Decatur Area Poets, and Friends of the Decatur Public Library have teamed up to help celebrate National Poetry Month! This is a FREE event. Enjoy local artwork from the Barn Colony Artists, local poets will read, followed by a meet and greet, book signings, and then the Friends of the Decatur Library will open up for book shopping! Earlier last year the Decatur Area Poets gave the Barn Colony Artists 8 poems. The artists have been using those poems as inspiration for new artwork. We will display those pieces of art and hear the poem that inspired it! Bring a friend and experience the magic of art and poetry and witness its healing nature.Newer book price increases - 2025 and 2026 hardbacks are now $7 and paperbacks are $4. But we still have a majority of $1 hardbacks and tons of 50 cent paperbacks.
New - 2026 Annual FOL Membership Application 2026 FOL Membership Form Membership forms with payment may be mailed to "Friends of the Library, 130 N. Franklin St., Decatur, IL 62523" or brought into our Books & Beyond bookstore during business hours as listed in the letter.
FOL Phone Number - We do have an extension number you can use to notify us. Call the library at 217-424-2900 ex 6133. Leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
Book Donations and Dropoffs - Reminder: we are still accepting donations of used books. There is a cart located outside the main library entrance where donations can be left. All genres are needed. This is one of our main routes of fundraising. Thank you again for supporting your community by supporting Friends of the Library!
Please join us on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 12:15 in the Decatur Public Library's Madden Auditorium for Books Between Bites.
Topic - READiculous Reading Program at the Decatur Public Library
Presenters - Susan Bishop and Alissa Henkel
About the Presentation - The Decatur Public Library loves showing kids how READiculousy fun reading books aloud and together can be. READdiculous is the story-acting duo of DPL's Susan Bishop and Alissa Henkel. Their dynamic program brings books to life for area kids and their families along with other groups and organizations. READiculous launches a brand-new show each summer for 6 showtimes in the Children's Section. They take that show on the road during the school year to Decatur area grade schools for a free assembly promoting reading and the library. They also do shows around the holidays and in the spring in the Decatur Public Library's Children's Section.
They also have a popular program for kids 10-14 called READiculous, JR. The program runs 6 weeks in the fall and spring. Enrollment is limited to 20 kids and each session fills up quickley with long waiting lists! They work with kids each week doing improv exercises, growing confidence, and making books come to life in book groups - just like READiculouss! Grab a book and a friend and you can be READiculous too!
Books Between Bites is a free program at the Decatur Public Library, sponsored by Friends of the Decatur Public Library
A recent picture of some of our new books.
FOL booksales are at the library 3 to 4 days a week at the new Friends area on the lower level of the library. Open every Monday from 10:30am - 2:30pm, Tuesdays from 10:30am - 2:30pm, Thursdays from 3pm - 6:30pm. And second and fourth Saturdays sales are from 9:30am - 12:30pm.