Calendar

As part of our Abe for All series, we offer Sensory Friendly Sundays on the last Sunday of January, July, and October. During these events, we invite our guests to enjoy a sensory-friendly experience from 1 pm – 5 pm. Our theater and Journey lights will be turned up, and the sound turned down. Some special effects will be turned off. A quiet room will be provided. Regular admission prices apply.

Advance registration is not required. We have developed a pre-visit preparation packet that ranks areas of the museum based on their potential to overstimulate. This can be found in the “Plan Your Visit” section of our website or email ALPLM.GuestEntry@illinois.gov and request a packet.

We are committed to providing an inclusive experience for all and if there are other things we can do to ensure a more welcoming experience, please let us know. You can reach us 9am – 5pm daily by calling 217-558-8844 (TTY/TDD 1-888-440-9009) or email ALPLM.GuestEntry@Illinois.gov

Author and historian Jon K. Lauck will discuss his new book "The Good Country: A History of the American Midwest" (University of Oklahoma Press, 2022) at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. in the ALPLM Library's Multi-Purpose Room.

In his book, Lauck explores the origins and growth of the Midwest, the nation's most understudied and misunderstood region. Lauck asks readers to reconsider the history of the Midwest and points to the region's many democratic advances throughout the 1800s. Lauck's book has been praised in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and other publications.

This is a free program. Reservations are not required.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jon K. Lauck is the author of several books, including The Lost Region: Toward a Revival of Midwestern History (University of Iowa Press, 2013); From Warm Center to Ragged Edge: The Erosion of Midwestern Regionalism, 1920-1965 (University of Iowa Press, 2017); and Prairie Republic: The Political Culture of Dakota Territory (University of Oklahoma Press, 2010). Lauck has worked for several years as a full-time professor, a part-time professor, and a lawyer and is currently serving as an adjunct professor of history and political science at the University of South Dakota and as Editor-in-Chief of Middle West Review. He earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Iowa and his law degree from the University of Minnesota.

In celebration of their 150th anniversary the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois will open their chapel for a Taizé-style prayer service. The service is open to all and begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 2 in the chapel at 1237 W. Monroe Street, in Springfield. The facility is fully accessible and has plenty of free off-street parking. For more information about this or the sisters' other 150th anniversary events visit springfieldop.org/150years or call 217-787-0481.

This is a FREE event!

We are excited to be hosting our fifth Writers of the Riverbend Mix and Mingle in the hallway of Maeva’s Coffee on Saturday, February 4, 2023! That's right, we will have two additional branches of the hallway to fill with creatives!

Are you a book lover yourself? Come support local authors and discover what works are being created in your community! Meet people behind stories written right here in the riverbend and connect with others who share your love of reading. This free event is perfect for browsing and picking up new books to add to your reading list.

Creators, industry professionals, students, and dabblers: Sell and promote your craft! Are you a creator, but don’t have anything to sell? No problem! You can still attend without a space. Published or unpublished, all authors, poets, wordsmiths, editors, designers, illustrators, publishers, creators, and book lovers are welcome! Come connect with new fans, network with other creators, promote your projects, and be a part of the community!

To learn more, visit www.sarahjdhuephotos.com/writers-of-the-riverbend

In this two-hour presentation, attorneys Colin Mills and Frank Johnston will hit on the myths and pitfalls of Illinois Workers’ Compensation cases with a focused discussion on claims handling questions commonly heard from employers, carriers, and third-party administrators.