Upcoming Events
An Night Out with Sherlock Holmes (a.k.a. Robert Seufert)
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” Sherlock Holmes, A Scandal in Bohemia (1891)
Learn the facts about Sherlock Holmes from the great detective himself.
Visit with the world’s greatest sleuth in person at Our Town Books.
Music, Traditional British Food and Drink
Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m.
Downtown Celebration
Jacksonville Main Street’s Downtown Celebration,
an annual event filled with fun and entertainment to celebrate the historic heart of our community!
Our downtown is winner of a National Trust for Historic Preservation 2012 Great American Main Street Award.
Saturday, May 19
Book Signing: J.D. Proffitt
Manchester Bluff: A Civil War Novel
As informative as it is exciting, J.D. Proffitt’s first novel captures little known aspects of Civil War dynamics, including events that originated in his hometown of Alexander, Illinois.
Saturday, May 19 during the Downtown Celebration
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Past Events
Gallery Hop
Ken Bradbury 6:30 to 7:30 Friday at the Gallery Hop.
Friday, May 4
Once Upon a SatARTday: Celebrate Poetry Month!
Eclectic Art Gallery and Our Town Books present Once Upon a SatARTday.
Come celebrate Poetry Month.
Kindergarten through third grade 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Fourth through sixth grade 11:00 a.m. to noon.
Call Our Town Books 217-245-2665 to register. $10
Saturday, May 5
Imagine Foundation’s 3rd Annual Poetry Variety Show!
Held at the Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College. An evening of all kinds of poetry! Traditional Reading, Performance, youth, open mike, 2 Voices.
Thursday, April 12th from 6-9 p.m.
Poetry Reading: Professor Robert Seufert
“My Life in Eighteen Poems” Award-winning MacMurray Professor Robert Seufert will be reading and commenting on 18 of his poems that reflect changes and stages of his life. Held at Thoresen Recital Hall, Putnam/Springer Center.
Thursday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Inaugural Poetry Group Meeting
Jacksonville Public Library and Our Town Books will be hosting a Poetry Group which is open to all readers, writers and lovers of poetry. The first meeting will be held at the bookstore — it is free and refreshments will be served! All are welcome.
Wednesday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Author Event: Dr Allan Metcalf
Allan Metcalf, Ph.D., Professor of English at MacMurray College will be reading from his book OK: The Improbable Story of America’s Greatest Word. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing after the reading.
March 23 is OK Day, the 173rd anniversary of the day OK was created on Page 2 of the Boston Morning Post, March 23, 1839.
Friday, March 23 at 5:00 p.m.
The Dulci-Kids with Mike Anderson
What’s better on a Saturday morning than coffee, doughnuts and–best of all–music by Mike Anderson and the DulciKids? Come join the fun.
Saturday, March 10 from 10:30 to 11:30
Once Upon a SatARTday: Poetry Month!
Saturday March 3
Call to register 245-2665
Book Signing: Robert Shaw
Regional author, Robert Shaw, will be signing copies of his book Abraham Lincoln Traveled This Way – The America Lincoln Knew at the Gallery Hop on Friday March 2.
Friday, March 2 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Bedtime Stories with Miss Mallory
Come along to the bookstore on Tuesday for Valentine’s Day books!
- Bear Hugs!
- Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!
- The Day It Rained Hearts
- Will You Be My Valentine?
Tuesday, February 14 at 7 p.m.
Toy Workshop
Learn about early animated pictures with the Old Fashion Toy Company. Jacksonville’s own toymaker, Chad Boehlke, will be here to help kids create a popular Victorian toy, the Thaumatrope. Pre-register. $5.
Saturday, February 11 at 10 am
Monthly Third Thursday Sale!!
1/3 off selected new books
Thursday, February 16
Comic Book Show
Hyde Park’s Very Own Comic Shop is visiting Our Town Books. Save the date!
Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18
from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bedtime Stories with Miss Mallory
Come along to the bookstore on Tuesday for stories by Robert Munsch!
- Purple, Green and Yellow
- Show and Tell
- Smelly Socks
- We Share Everything!
Tuesday, January 24 at 7 p.m.
An Evening Out with Robert Burns
Pine Tree Studio and Our Town Books present an evening of Scottish food, poetry and music to celebrate the birth of Robert Burns.
The free event will begin at Our Town Books on the Jacksonville Square, then follow the sound of Ken Bradbury’s bagpipes to the Pine Tree Studio where the kilt-clad guests (and those wearing pants) will be treated to a Burns fest of poetry and song.
Thursday, 26 January, 2012 at 7 p.m.
For more information about the event: An Evening with Robert Burns
Bedtime Stories with Miss Mallory
Come along to the bookstore on Tuesday for Storytime!
- Purple Little Bird
- ZooZical
- Otto the Book Bear
- Clink
Tuesday, January 17 at 7 p.m.
Bedtime Stories with Miss Mallory
Come along to the bookstore on Tuesday and join Miss Mallory for a festive storytime with holiday songs and stories.
- Night Tree
- Jingle Bells
- Over the River and Through the Woods
- Ten on the Sled
Tuesday, December 20 at 7 p.m.
Book Signing: Gary Babbs
Carlinville author, Gary Babbs, will be signing his book his children’s book Let Your Light Shine!.
Saturday, December 17 from 11:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Christmas Music with Mike Anderson
Christmas Music with Mike Anderson and the Dulci-Kids
Saturday, December 17 from noon-2:00 p.m.
Book Signing: Roy French
Roy French will be signing copies of his book Hickory Road.
Friday, December 23 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Holiday Pre-K Music Event with Miss Polly
Saturday, December 10 at 10 a.m.
Book Signing: J.D. Proffitt
J.D. Proffitt, assistant professor at Illinois College, will be signing copies of his Civil War novel, Manchester Bluff: A Civil War Novel at the Gallery Hop.
