The Hybrid Prince

Review #1
* * * * * Stars (Amazing!)
I love this book series. There are great, lovable characters and great plotlines. I also liked the romance in this one. Summary: Umber is running away with his sister after her attempted murder scheme. He finds arrows and warning signs so he follows what they say. Until they find themselves in danger! Then Mulberry (who they find out is a prince) saves them and brings them to this Utopia Island, which turns out to be a prison island that they are stuck on forever…

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Hilda and the Midnight Giant

Review #1
* * * * * Stars (Amazing!)
The book I read was “Hilda and the Midnight Giant.” I love this book because it is very interesting. Hilda’s mom is normal but turns into a great and curious mom. Also, Hilda’s pet, Twig, is a deerfox!?! And the show on Netflix is my favorite show. In conclusion, I love this book and enjoyed it so so much!

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Get ready to grow with your library this summer!

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge invites you to Plant a Seed, Read with us. Whether you’re just starting your reading journey or branching out into new genres, every book you read helps your mind bloom and grow. No matter your age, we invite you to join us this summer and see how far your love for reading can grow.

Summer Reading begins June 1st and runs through July 31st.

All ages are encouraged to participate for a chance to win a prize!

Plant a Seed, Read 

Adults (18 & up)

Participate for chances to win one of our Summer Reading Challenge grand prizes – $50 gift card from Platt Hill Nursery or Tom’s Farm, a Watering Can/$25 Ace Gift Card combo or a Metal Chicken Lawn Ornament.

Choose either:

• Online Reading Program: Sign up online at https://huntleylibrary.beanstack.com/ 
• Paper Log Program:Download your paper log or pick one up at the Information Desk.

Teens (12-18)

Join the summer reading challenge and grow your love for reading at the library! See your progress bloom with every book you finish. Pick up a paper reading log at the library’s Information Desk. 

Choose either:

• Online Reading Program: Sign up online at https://huntleylibrary.beanstack.com/ 
• Paper Log Program: Download your paper log or pick one up at the Information Desk.

Children’s (0-12)

Plant a Seed, Read! Download the log below or stop by the Children’s Library to register now for a summer full of fun with stories, activities, programs, and prizes that help young readers grow!

Choose either:

• Online Reading Program: Sign up online at https://huntleylibrary.beanstack.com/ 
• Paper Log Program: Download your paper log or pick one up at the Information Desk.

The post Plant a Seed, Read – 2026 Summer Reading Challenge appeared first on Huntley Area Public Library.

Sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Challenge, catch up on your TBR (to-be-read) list, AND enter weekly drawings to win fabulous prizes! Visit the library’s Information Desk and pick up a paper log (logs may also be printed from our website) OR use Beanstack to participate online. FINISH THE CHALLENGE BY JULY 31, 2026!

The post Summer Reading is here! appeared first on Huntley Area Public Library.

Location: Huntley, Illinois

Salary: $125,000 – 127,000.00, based on qualifications and experiences

Application Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5 p.m.

The Board of Trustees of the Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) is looking for a new Executive Director who will be a role model for the staff, trustees, and community members. The chosen leader will have a strong sense of self-discipline and be a shrewd steward and manager of personnel and finances. The Board believes that the most valuable thing in a resident’s wallet is their library card and the seven elected Trustees strive to be solid representatives of the taxpayers. A 2019 building expansion referendum passed with 67% approval. The spacious new 36,500 square foot facility opened to the public in 2022.

The Huntley Area Public Library was established in 1989. It serves 44,000 people living in Kane and McHenry counties and in all or parts of Huntley, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. The Library District is home to several senior living communities including Heritage Woods, Huntley Springs, and Sun City. As a result, people 65 and over make-up nearly 25% of the District’s population. The rapidly growing area also attracts young families and newcomers looking for their forever homes.

The Library’s current strategic plan sunsets this year and the new Executive Director will lead the process of developing an updated, community-informed, plan to outline a vision for the rest of this decade. HAPL prides itself on interesting programs and services it provides through its recording studio and maker space. They also work hard to maintain and grow established relationships throughout the community to enhance offerings. Local leaders conduct job coaching and lead workshops on a variety of topics that range from technology to poetry.

The ideal candidate will have a strong administrative background and knowledge of public policies, government finance, and civic cooperation. They will have experience serving different communities and the ability to adapt services as patronage changes over time. The dedicated staff pride themselves on the established family-like atmosphere and they need a leader who will continue to cultivate that culture. They want an administrator who practices an open-door policy, who is accountable, and who will ask for and hear their input when making decisions. The incoming Executive Director will value consistency and transparency in their work.

Required qualifications for the position are an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree and five years of library management experience. The equivalent combination of education and professional experiences may also be considered for the role.

The annual salary is $125,000-127,000 a year, with consideration for additional competencies. The Library offers an excellent benefits package including participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), paid holidays and paid time-off, and health insurance.

Interested candidates should submit in PDF a thoughtful cover letter, a concise resume, and the contact information for a minimum of three professional references to huntley@deiterstodd.com by Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5 p.m.

For more information, email Alex Todd at alex@deiterstodd.com or visit www.deiterstodd.com/huntley.

The post Huntley Area Public Library District — Director of the Huntley Area Public Library appeared first on Huntley Area Public Library.

MAY:
Share an original spring flower(s) photo (taken by you) for a chance to win a gift card prize. Find a spring-blooming flower (or flowers) to photograph this month. A winner will be selected from the submissions received. Use the form below to submit/upload your photo entries. Entries for March must be received by May 31, 2026! For teens/grades 6-12.

JUNE:
Share an original summer fun photo (taken by you) for a chance to win a gift card prize. What fun things are you doing this summer? Take a photo to capture the moment! A winner will be selected from the submissions received. Use the form below to submit/upload your photo entries. Entries for June must be received by June 30, 2026! For teens/grades 6-12.

PHOTO SUBMISSION FORM

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The Huntley Area Public Library District, a busy, mid-sized suburban library serving a population of approximately 44,000 citizens in and around the Village of Huntley, Illinois (a far northwest suburb of Chicago), is seeking a Head of Marketing to help us fulfill our mission to the community we serve.

What we offer:

· Competitive salary (Range: $52,000-$64,000 to start, depending on qualifications)

· Health, dental, and vision insurance

· Paid time off

· Retirement plan (IMRF)

What we need:

Overview: Responsible for managing library publicity, web content, public information, brand identity, seeking out alternate funding sources, staff events (as needed), preparing grant proposals and state reports, and related duties in cooperation with other staff. Internally and externally, promotes use of and understanding of the library’s mission, services, procedures, and policies.

The successful candidate must have knowledge of library technology, strong organizational skills, and must be able to work collaboratively with staff and other managers. This position reports to the Library Director and has a leadership role in the library.

Essential Job Functions:

· Develops and implements annual and long-range marketing plans to promote community awareness of library services and programs

· Creates and organizes timely library public relations and publicity in all formats, such as social media posts, email messages, news releases, newsletters, presentations, displays, flyers, and other promotional materials

· Maintains, develops, and updates the library’s web content. Makes and implements recommendations on improving/redesigning the library’s web content. Ensures the library’s web content and digital services are in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines according to ADA regulations. Provides technical support and training to staff members developing and maintaining web content and digital services.

· Acts as library public relations representative with media, community organizations, and other forums

· Builds partnerships between the library and other businesses, organizations, and public entities; represents the library at community meetings including governmental meetings

· Organizes library-wide promotions and special events

· Oversees library participation in community events

· Establishes good working relationships with media representatives and relevant vendors

· Research and develop grant proposals with Director and staff input. Follows through with grants to ensure completion, proper paperwork, filing, and reports

· Collaborates with Friends Foundation on fundraising for the library, including special programs, direct appeals, grant writing, and planned giving

· Completes reports for filing with the Illinois State Library, State of Illinois, and federal government

· Gives presentations on library services to community groups in cooperation with other staff

· Takes photographs of library services for publication, displays, and distribution to the media

· Responsible for maintaining collection of library publicity, publications, and photographs

· Manages the Marketing Department which includes supervising and evaluating the work of a full-time Marketing Assistant-Content Developer

· Participates in professional activities and attends approved workshops and conferences

· Requests quotes for graphics projects and collaborates with staff on orders

· In charge of library signage: digital and paper

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Excellent writing and other communication skills

· Experienced public speaker

· Strong customer service orientation

· Ability to serve with a diverse group of people

· Proven track record for fundraising and grant writing

· Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality when appropriate

· Ability to interview, select, and train staff

· Experienced and knowledgeable using various marketing platforms including Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, WordPress, and similar products

· Experience working with various AI tools for marketing purposes

· Ability to interpret library policies in a diplomatic and sensitive manner

· Ability to transport library materials and displays to other sites

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represent the physical and environmental demands of this position: this position requires approximately equal amounts of time spent standing, walking, and sitting. Lifting, pushing/pulling, and carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds is sometimes required. Climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, twisting, and bending are sometimes required. Repetitive movements of the hands and arms are sometimes required. Audio, visual, and verbal functions are essential to performing this position.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Requires a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications, or similar field

· A total of at least three years of successful experience in the field of marketing and fundraising, preferably for governmental or non-profit agencies

· Two years of management or supervisory experience preferred

· A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Strong leadership and project management skills

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

· Onsite for working hours unless offsite for specific job duties.

· Must be able to work some nights and weekends.

Schedule:

40 hours per week, with occasional evenings and weekends required

How to apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume with relevant references to resume@huntleylibrary.org. Links to online portfolios or samples of work product may be included when applying. The library will conduct a background check for the successful candidate. EOE

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The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon

Review #1
* * * * * Stars (Amazing!)
Jin is a lion. He is also one of the Gongshi, stone spirits. His father, the Lion, is the guardian of the Sacred Sphere.

Jin is not quite excited about his heritage. His father is stern; so stern, in fact, it seems that having fun is never a good thing. One should always been focused on one’s abilities, and those abilities are meant to assist the humans, outside of the world of the Gongshi. Jin could care less about the humans: his biggest dream is shooting a Golden Goal in a game of zuqui.

Jin’s team has the zuqui ball. He has the penalty shot, and the area, and then… his father interrupts. Again. The bell has rung, which means a new Gongshi has either arrived, or an old one has been destroyed. The bell can mean sorrow or joy. The bell means duty, and duty is the one thing Jin never wanted a part of. Instead of following his parents to the meeting, he goes home, infuriated. His one chance to score a golden goal—his one chance for glory and fame—and his father, never one to enjoy zuqui and fun, has ruined his chance. Jin touches the Sacred Sphere—but to his surprise and horror, it rolls out of the house, faster than he can catch it. It rolls right up to the gate.

It rolls out of the world of Gongshi, and Jin follows it.

The new world is bright and modern. Jin is now a stone version of himself. And—perhaps worst of all—the gate is now closed behind him.

Through many adventures, Jin must learn how to accept friendship, believe in himself, and perhaps even learn that duty isn’t the hardest thing he has been created for.

I enjoyed the way Grace Lin once again melds story and legend together. Her retellings of traditional Chinese tales are not only enthralling and intriguing, but deeply thematic and powerful as well. This story kept me hooked (especially towards the end, as each individual thread was woven into one story), and I would most definitely recommend it! For upper elementary + middle school readers.

The post Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon – Read It and Rate It appeared first on Huntley Area Public Library.

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

Review #1
* * * * Stars (Great!)
It was about Sally’s life after marrying Jack (Nightmare Before Christmas) and how stressed she was after becoming Pumpkin Queen. When the entire village fell into deep, deep slumber. It had great descriptive language. It was great at painting a picture in your head, too.

The post Long Live the Pumpkin Queen – Read It and Rate It appeared first on Huntley Area Public Library.

To get started:

•  Download the Palace Project app, which is available in both the Apple App Store for iOS phones and tablets and the Google Play Store for Android phones and devices.
• Open the Palace app, tap “Find Your Library” and type or scroll to find your library’s name to access the digital books and audiobooks.
• You will be prompted to sign in with your library card barcode number and PIN.
• Browse available titles by selecting any of the headings to view additional or related titles. Or, search for a specific title by selecting the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the screen.
• Select the desired title and click “Borrow.” If your book is currently unavailable, click “Place Hold” to place a hold.

Once your book has been downloaded, click “Read” or “Listen” and enjoy! Borrowed titles can be easily accessed by selecting “My Books” at the bottom of the screen.

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