Embark on a journey and discover McHenry County’s Libraries
February 1-March 31
The McHenry County Library Lovers Expedition returns for its fifth year! Your mission is to visit the 15 participating libraries in the McHenry County area. All are welcome, whether you have a library card or not. Stop at either AAPLD location to start your journey.
START
Register at any of the 15 participating libraries. You will receive a brag tag. Follow the map and visit the other libraries (in any order) and collect a brag tag at each one. Check out books and materials and enjoy fun activities at the libraries (you may have to fill out paperwork to do so. Check each library’s circulation policies).
New for 2026, The Case of the Missing Manuscript. This optional mystery for the expedition provides a new level of fun and interaction. Collect a clue at each of the 15 libraries. Gather them all to solve the mystery. Submit your answer to entered into the drawing for a mystery prize basket.
Your goal is to gather all the clues and determine:
- Who stole the codex?
- What object was used to smuggle it out of the library?
Find out how to submit your answer when you register for the Expedition. Only ONE answer per registered LLE expeditioner.
FINISH
Visit at least 12 of the 15 libraries, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of 15 gift baskets, each valued at $50, filled with gift cards from area businesses. Visit all 15 libraries, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize basket valued at $150.
PRIZES
Winners will be drawn and notified via phone or email after April 8.
For more information about the Library Lovers Expedition, visit their official Facebook page.
Participating Libraries
Algonquin Area Public Library, 2600 Harnish Drive, Algonquin
Eastgate Branch, 115 Eastgate Drive, Algonquin
The Algonquin Area Public Library is your space to be who you are and explore who you can become. With two welcoming locations, in person and online services, an amazing Makerspace, and fun and educational programming for all ages, we offer resources to help you learn, grow, and discover something new. Both locations also have fun and engaging play spaces for young children. We are confident you will find what you are looking for, and if we don’t have it on our shelves, we can help you connect with one of our Expedition friends or bring it in from another library. Library Lovers of all ages are welcome, and new discoveries await.
Find us at aapld.org or call 847-458-6060.
Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy, Barrington
A welcoming place to read, relax, learn, and have fun! Pick up a program guide featuring live music, story times, arts and crafts, gaming, informative workshops, book groups, and more. Our programs are free and most are open to residents of other library districts. Kids love our amazing play area. Adults love our great selection of new books, and everyone loves Fandom Fest on Saturday, Feb. 28! Enjoy a walk on our trails over to Citizens Park and Cuba Marsh. Learn more at balibrary.org and 847-382-1300.
Cary Area Public Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary
Everyone is welcome at the Cary Area Public Library, whether you have a card with us or not. We host a variety of fun, informative, and engaging events for all ages. Most of our collection is available to anyone with a valid library card and our doors are open for browsing, research, and studying. Stop by and checkout the possibilities! Find us at 1606 Three Oaks Road in Cary, online at caryarealibrary.org, or give us a call at 847-639-4210. You can also visit our StoryWalk at Jaycee Park in Cary, which features seasonal picture books that switch out every two months.
Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 W. Paddock St., Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake Public Library boasts a large collection of materials that includes literacy, STEM, memory and teen kits. Our Seed Library is a hit with local gardeners. During the expedition, you can enjoy a trivia scavenger hunt in Adult Services. Then visit Youth Services to play our mini golf hole or make crafts at the Creation Station. Find us at clpl.org or call 815-459-1687.
Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake
Nestled up north in the Chain O’Lakes, the Fox Lake District Library is excited for this year’s expedition! The main floor houses circulation, new adult materials and our Children’s Library, while the upper floor houses adult and teen collections. Stop by the Children’s Library and ask to take a selfie with our beloved mascot, Foxy! Foxy is excited this year to welcome local children’s author, Malcolm Newsome, to the library for a special Library Lovers Expedition story time on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 2-3 pm! Visit fllib.org or call 847-587-0198.
Fox River Grove Memorial Library, 407 Lincoln Ave., Fox River Grove
Small library, big ideas! At Fox River Grove Memorial Library, we are very proud of our exemplary small-town customer service, popular story times, outstanding programs, running club, and monthly take-and-make kits. When you visit us during this year’s expedition, be sure to test your detective skills in Youth Services! Check us out at frgml.org or 847-639-2274.
Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley St., Harvard
The Harvard Diggins Library, nestled in Lion’s Park, offers lots for visitors to do in and out of the library. Inside, visitors can check out a book or movie, browse the 100-year-old butterfly collection, enjoy a quiet moment in front of the fireplace, or stop by the make-and-take station in the Activity Room. Outside, a playground is nearby as is a sledding hill and newly expanded walking path featuring the Harvard Community StoryWalk. In February and March, Library Lovers Expedition visitors will be treated to a display of quilts created by nationally renowned quilter Jane Sassaman. Also on display will be a collection of historic memorabilia from the Greater Harvard Area Historical Society. We look forward to your visit! Learn more at harvard-diggins.org or 815-943-4671.
Huntley Area Public Library, 11000 Ruth Road, Huntley
The Huntley Area Public Library sits just east of downtown at the corner of Ruth Road and Main Street. It was built in 1999 and renovated with an addition in 2022 as we are a fast-growing community. We offer a cozy fireplace, gaming room, recording studio, tech lab and we share a parking lot with a beautiful park and playground. The Children’s Library is bright and colorful, with fun games, toys, and activities for children of all ages. Check out a study room, the Corner Book Sale or start an all-new treasure hunt within the library for a small prize. Learn more at huntleylibrary.org or 847-669-5386.
Johnsburg Public Library, 3000 N. Johnsburg Road, Johnsburg
Find your spark at the small but MIGHTY Johnsburg Public Library! Say hello to our popular mascot Sparky Butterscotch, browse our unique Homeschool Resource Collection or work on a jigsaw puzzle.
Think spring by checking out our seed library, see what’s growing in our Propagation Station, or pose for a selfie with our butterfly wings located outside near our official Monarch Way- station. Find us at johnsburglibrary.org or 815-344-0077.
Marengo-Union Library District, 19714 E. Grant Hwy., Marengo
Surrounded by friendly faces the Marengo-Union Library District proudly serves a close-knit community where local spirit and neighborly connections thrive! Come play in our cheerful children’s area, lend a hand on the community puzzle, or browse for your next great read. Check out games, books, or the perfect sur- prise from our Library of Things. Whether you’re here to relax or need a quiet study room to focus, there’s a place for you at the library. Please feel free to use your library card here to borrow items and then return them to your home library. With friendly staff and exciting programs, you can easily sign up for, there’s always something happening for everyone. Call 815-568-8236; or visit muld.org or muldevents@gmail.com.
McHenry Public Library District, 809 Front St., McHenry
From the Discovery Hub to our Genealogy Room, the McHenry Public Library District offers something for all ages! Browse MPLD’s always growing Local History and Genealogy Collection (the largest collection in the county). The library hosts exciting programs that any patron can register for; no library card required. MPL is celebrating 90 years, so be sure to check out the pictures in the back hallway of the library documenting its history. Have you met our mascot, Avery the Axolotl? Join their freshwater adventure, including an obstacle course. Avery will also be completing the expedition, so track their progress on our social media and eNewsletter, where we will share their expedition highlights. Reach us at 815-385-0036.
Nippersink Public Library District, 5418 Hill Road, Richmond
Not only does NPLD have a new roof and new windows, the library also has new goals in place! NPLD’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is here, which is pretty much a fancy way to say we are challenging ourselves to be the best we can. The goals we are tackling are all about expanding community presence, customer service, program offerings and tech accessibility. We hope you can see this awesomeness in action during your visit. We also would love for you to meet our mascot, Sunny the Blandings Turtle! For more library fun, visit our website, nippersinklibrary.org or call 815-678-4014.
River East Public Library, 813 W. IL Route 120, McHenry
Just because, we’ve filled our buckets and thrown Skee-Balls, doesn’t mean we don’t have fun planned for this year’s expedition! We will of course have our chicken friends again, but this year we’ve got a much bigger friend for everyone to meet! We may be the smallest library in the county, but Julius, a seven-foot monkey from Paul Frank, now lives at River East Public Library. He will be here all expedition long, to have a branch swinging good time! Whether you’re coming in to see the chickens, hang out with Julius, check out our large selection of Tonies, browse through our Library of Things, or just coming in to say “hi!” we can’t wait to see everyone this year! Visit our website at RiverEastLibrary.org or follow us on social media @RiverEastLib.
Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda
WAPL has a bright and beautiful modern building overlooking a serene natural area visited regularly by deer and foxes. We carry a large variety of up-to-date materials, state-of-the-art technology and the friendliest staff ready to help you find what you need. Explore our beautiful spaces from our quiet study room with a cozy fireplace to our Kid City area with its very own rocket ship for children to play on. There will be take-away crafts for the littles and fun activities for all ages. Find us at wauclib.org or 847-526-6225.
Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St., Woodstock
Woodstock Public Library is home to several unique features including a public use piano, a Library of Things, free community pantry for food and warm clothing, Dick Tracy and Groundhog Day movie memorabilia, and in-house listening station with vinyl records. WPL is proud to offer free programing for all ages. Make sure to mark your calendar for the annual Local Author Showcase on Saturday March 21, 10 am-3 pm, to meet several local authors, including some mystery guests you won’t want to miss. Plus, check out the progress on the library’s new outdoor area project called Prairie Roots, adding rich native landscaping, outdoor meeting spaces, and even a StoryWalk® in 2026. In celebration of this project, visitors are invited to add to our display of native plants from Prairie Roots, with a different plant representing each visiting library. WPL staff are excited to meet you during your expedition! Visit woodstockpubliclibrary.org or 815-338-0542.